Former American Idol hopeful Antonella Barba is behind bars again after breaking the terms of her federal supervised release.
According to TMZ, the 38-year-old New Jersey native, who appeared on Idol‘s sixth season and previously did prison time for drug charges, was picked up by Point Pleasant Beach Police Department on Sunday night during a traffic stop.
Barba’s newest arrest stemmed from an outstanding warrant connected to a domestic violence charge from two weeks earlier, according to a source with the U.S. Marshals. This fresh charge also violated her probation from her previous drug case.
The singer briefly found fame on Idol before getting eliminated just shy of the top 16 in Jordin Sparks’ winning season. After her time on the show, Barba made a few TV appearances, including Fear Factor in 2012 and a sketch on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2018.
Before her Fear Factor gig, Barba was caught shoplifting in New York City in 2011, according to CBS News.
Barba was arrested in 2018 in Norfolk, Virginia, facing charges for allegedly trying to distribute over 100 grams of heroin, as TMZ reported at the time. The following year, she served time after being convicted for possessing and intending to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl.
She got out in October 2021 but remained on supervised release for five years.
Problems started soon after when her probation officer discovered she’d moved out of her approved residence in Point Pleasant in 2022. She then agreed to follow a curfew and wear an electronic ankle bracelet.
Situation worsened in late 2024 when she was reportedly involved in a domestic violence incident with her ex-partner, identified as K.H. in court documents.
During the alleged confrontation, K.H. reportedly punched Barba in the face, causing injuries that needed stitches.
The probation officer claims Barba was kicked out of a domestic violence shelter in January for revealing its location to K.H. More incidents in February involved police departments in Rutherford and East Orange.
As part of her house arrest conditions, Barba has been ordered to stop all contact with K.H. and his family.
