'American Idol' criticized for airing Laine Hardy performance

"American Idol" is facing criticism for airing a reunion duet on Monday's show featuring 2019 winner Laine Hardy, who was arrested Friday for allegedly planting a listening device in an ex-girlfriend's dormitory room.

"Hey @AmericanIdol can y'all be anymore #tonedeaf to what is going on in the world?!? What on earth made you think putting #LaineHardy on the air was a good idea?!?!" one person tweeted after Hardy's duet with 2019 finalist Laci Kaye Booth on the episode that featured a dozen past contestants in prerecorded duets.

"AI using that taped segment after your arrest is disrespectful to the victim …," tweeted another, addressing Hardy. "They should have removed your taped appearance. Shameful, disappointing & triggering to many people."

The producers appeared to have had qualms before airing the duet: While Hardy and Booth were included in ABC's April 18 news release listing the reunion show's guests, they were dropped from a listing on the "American Idol" social-media accounts Monday. Neither ABC nor the show's production company, Fremantle, responded to Newsday's inquiry into the discrepancy or the decision to air the duet.

The show's YouTube channel posted only five of the six duets, leaving out Hardy and Booth singing Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty's "Quit Draggin' My Heart Around." As of Tuesday afternoon, that clip, evidently licensed, appeared at the 9.72-million-subscriber channel of the global talent-show fan site Talent Recap.

Louisiana native Hardy, 21, announced Thursday: "Earlier today, I received a warrant due to allegations made against me and have been fully cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department. I understand that my career has thrust me into the public spotlight, and I embrace that wholeheartedly as my entire world belongs to my music and my fans. However, due to the sensitive nature of this allegation, I humbly ask for privacy at this time. I have the utmost respect for the law and will assist in their investigation as needed moving forward."

An LSU spokesperson said in a statement Friday that Hardy "was arrested by LSU Police today and booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for violation of 15:1303 — Interception and Disclosure of Wire, Electronic, or Oral Communication." The Baton Rouge TV station WAFB reported that Hardy, who lives in the nearby village of French Settlement, had turned himself in on that felony charge.

The station said that according to the arrest warrant, an unnamed woman and her roommate found a recording device resembling a phone charger inside their Azalea Hall dorm room on April 6, and reported it to LSU police the following day. The woman told officers she formerly had been in a relationship with Hardy. Police said they later found evidence of secretly made recordings.

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office website shows Hardy was released Friday on his own recognizance pending trial, without being required to post the recorded $5,000 bond.

Following his arrest, Hardy received both support and condemnation online.

Booth has not commented publicly.