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.