In the early days of reality TV, redemption arcs weren’t part of the script—one misstep, and you were done. Just ask Frenchie Davis.

On Season 2 of American Idol, viewers were dazzled by Frenchie’s exceptional vocals. She was an early frontrunner, but once it was revealed that she took topless photos early in her career, her time on Idol was cut short.

After Idol, Frenchie carved out a career for herself, starring in Rent on Broadway. Still, her disqualification left a mark. What likely wouldn’t raise an eyebrow today derailed her early momentum. But then came Season 1 of The Voice, a fresh new competition with a clean slate—and a booming voice during the Blind Auditions turned every chair. The name? Frenchie Davis. Yes, that Frenchie Davis.

The Unfortunate ‘American Idol’ History of Frenchie Davis

One year after Kelly Clarkson changed the face of singing reality competition shows, American Idol was back to try to find their next superstar.

The three judges remained at the desk, though Ryan Seacrest became the solo host of the series. And the talent came in droves. When Frenchie Davis arrived with her audition of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going,” Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson were on their feet, clapping.

Even Simon Cowell gave her a round of applause. Why? Because they understood the talent they had before them. She successfully made it through in the Hollywood round, but everything came to a full stop when scandal emerged.

Prior to the live shows, it was revealed that Frenchie Davis had been removed from the competition. Her disqualification came due to the evaluation that she had taken topless photos earlier in her career.

At the time, with an overtly sanitized desire to keep American Idol family-friendly, the clear frontrunner was removed from the competition that likely would have seen her victorious, or at least in the final three alongside Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken.

The controversy haunted Frenchie, but years later, it exposed a larger double standard on the show when Season 6 contestant Antonella Barba was allowed to remain in the competition following the resurfacing of her revealing photos.

At the time, Davis said, “I couldn’t help but notice the difference between the manner in which she was dealt with and how I was dealt with…. I think it’s fantastic if Idol has evolved, and I think it’s fantastic she won’t have to go through what I went through four years ago … but if the rules have changed, I believe there should be something to make up for the fact that I was humiliated needlessly.”

With a discussion of racial bias attached to the controversy, Frenchie moved on and forged her own path, focusing on a career in musical theater. But in 2011, television called, and Frenchie Davis answered.