Antonella Barba, a former “American Idol” contestant who rose to fame during the show’s 6th season, has found herself in legal trouble once again for violating her federal supervised release, TMZ has learned.
The singer, who previously served prison time on a drug-related conviction, was arrested by the Pt. Pleasant Beach Police Department in New Jersey on Sunday night during a vehicle stop.
Arrest Warrant and Domestic Violence Charge
According to a representative for the U.S. Marshals, there was a warrant out for Antonella’s arrest due to a domestic violence charge filed two weeks prior. Her federal probation from a previous drug case was deemed violated as a result of the new charge.
Records indicate that Antonella was released from the Essex County Correctional Facility on Tuesday and has been placed under home detention with electronic monitoring until her next court appearance scheduled for April 29.
Previous Conviction and Probation Violations
Antonella Barba was sentenced to federal prison after being arrested in 2018 and found guilty in 2019 of possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. She was released from prison in October 2021 but was required to complete five years of supervised release.
Trouble followed shortly after her release. In August 2022, her probation officer discovered during a home visit that she had moved out of her approved residence in Point Pleasant a month earlier. She subsequently agreed to adhere to a curfew and wear an electronic ankle monitor.
Domestic Violence Incident and Further Violations
Matters escalated in late November 2024, when Antonella was allegedly involved in a domestic violence altercation with her ex-partner, identified in court documents as K.H. Reports state that K.H. allegedly punched Antonella in the face, causing a serious injury that required stitches.
In January 2025, Antonella was expelled from a domestic violence shelter for compromising its location by sharing details with K.H. Additionally, she was reportedly involved in two other incidents in February 2025, involving the Rutherford Police Department and East Orange Police Department.
As a result, Antonella has now been ordered to cease all contact with K.H. and their family as part of her house arrest conditions.
What’s Next for Antonella Barba?
Antonella’s attorney has yet to respond to requests for comment. As she awaits her court hearing on April 29, her legal battles continue to complicate her attempts at rehabilitation and moving forward.
