Season seven premiered on January 15, 2008, for a two-day, four-hour premiere. The media focused on the professional status of the season seven contestants, the so-called 'ringers', many of whom, including Kristy Lee Cook, Brooke White, Michael Johns, and in particular <answer>Carly Smithson</answer>, had prior recording contracts. Contestant David Hernandez also attracted some attention due to his past employment as a stripper.
Which contestant was talked about most for having a record deal before being a contestant on American Idol?
Carly Smithson