The Naked Truth

David Hernandez has no regrets about his career as a stripper in a gay bar, a close friend of the singer has told OK!.

David, whose performance of ’80s hit “It’s All Coming Back to Me” earned a warm reception from the judges on Tuesday, has yet to comment on this week's news that he danced in a “mostly male” strip club for three years before auditioning for Idol. But the pal, who has been in touch with David by phone since the contest began, says that the semi-finalist isn't letting the furore over his past as a lapdancer get to him.

She said that David, 24, from Glendale, Arizona, had been well aware that his stint at Dick's Carbaret in Phoenix was likely to come to light if he was successful on the show. But she says he wasn't scared enough to let it stop him following his dreams of becoming a star.

"He knew when he signed up for American Idol that people would gossip and trash talk—it comes with the status of being on American Idol, you know?," she says. "David isn't getting stressed about it—nor should he. People can dig up what they want, but David doesn't regret any of it.

The pal, who got to know David through the karaoke bars in Phoenix, adds, "David is such a sweetie and such a talented guy, it all will die down for sure. He is a beautiful person and really passionate about his talent,which shows."

David and the other American Idol contestants will find out tonight if they have made it into the final 12.