Former Idol Contestant Sierra Has Media Ban Lifted

In January 2008, the singer - who has been battling a substance abuse problem - was chastised by Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Daniel Perry for speaking to the press during her trial for a probation violation.

The judge ordered Sierra to stay at least 100 yards (91.44 metres) away from microphones and cameras.

She was previously forced to enter a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in 2007 after being charged with misdemeanour disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence.

That incident, which took place in Ybor City, broke the terms of her probation from an earlier felony charge for assault and drug possession.

But Sierra was back in court on Tuesday (14Apr09) when her lawyer's request to have the order removed was granted by County Circuit Judge Gregory Holder.

Holder told the star it was a "good sign" that she had so far tested clean for drugs.

And Sierra plans to head back into the recording studio to get her fledgling career back on track.

She tells ABC News, "Now my life continues and I get to go back into the studio and record an album and I'm just gonna continue doing what I'm doing.

"I work with kids, raising awareness for drug prevention, so I'm gonna continue doing that and just add music to it now."