The Latest Contestant Controversies...

One thing you can always count on with “American Idol” is contestant controversies…

Remember Ashlyn, who got a second chance after Simon fought for her? TMZ.com is reporting that she was allegedly arrested in August for pouring sugar into her ex-boyfriend’s gas tank. No word on whether that will affect her status…

One contestant’s status who was affected is Akron Watson, who Tuesday night impressed the judges (and me) with “Change Is Gonna Come” and “Let’s Get It On.” Watson was told three months after his audition that he was no longer invited to participate. Why? TMZ.com (which apparently has replaced “The Smoking Gun” as the chief Idol investigator) reports that Watson has a prior misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge from 2003.

For his part, Watson says he told the producers about the charge and that he was never given a reason for his dismissal. He has created a MySpace page to gain support and is asking people to sign a petition to help him get another shot…