Report: Twins booted from ‘American Idol’

Brothers were ‘uninvited’ just hours before hopping plane for Hollywood

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msnbc.com staff and news service reports

updated 4:59 p.m. ET Jan. 26, 2006

"American Idol" twins Derrell and Terrell Brittenum made it through to Hollywood, but after being jailed for allegedly stealing a man's identity to buy a car last summer, they’ve been kicked off the show, reports MTV.com.

The 28-year-old Memphis brothers auditioned together in Chicago in September, and impressed judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson with their soulful voices. They were told they would be flown to Hollywood with 33 other successful auditioners to continue their quest for the singing title.

But later the two were jailed on charges related to the illegal purchase of a car in Rockdale County, Ga., east of Atlanta. They are accused of using another man's identity to buy a 2005 Dodge Magnum in June.

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According to MTV.com, the brothers' attorney, Maurice Bennett, said that they were released from jail on $30,000 bail. Just hours before their scheduled flight to California for "Idol," the twins were "uninvited" from the show, Bennett said.

MTV.com quotes Bennett as saying "The guys understood why. It's amazing how these things work."

He also said that several record labels have expressed interest in the brothers, MTV.com reported.