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‘Idol’ singer watched audition from jail

Leroy Wells was arrested for assault, weapons charge
/ Source: The Associated Press

One of the contestants on the new season of “American Idol” was in jail when his .

Leroy Wells’ audition for the Fox television talent competition was taped last summer in New Orleans.

He bounced onstage while talking about sandblasting paint for a living at a shipyard near his home near Mobile.

“American Idol” judge Randy Jackson told Wells: “Dog, you ain’t right for this, man, but listen, we love you.”

A stunned Simon Cowell called the performance “ridiculous.”

Wells, 22, of Grand Bay, was arrested Jan. 5 on charges of assault and firing a weapon. Jail records show he’s also awaiting trial on drug charges and has pleaded guilty to marijuana possession in 2004 and disorderly conduct in June 2003.