Author |
Message |
Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 9:42 pm
Well, I went snooping online earlier and didn't copy the article, but I will look again and see if I can find it . . . but the closest I came to finding a scoop was that "Mario was reported to be very unhappy on the AI Show." Didn't explain why. And when I read it, it seemed too vague to me to bother sharing. But if that is rumor is true, then this quote would make more sense.
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Rslover
Member
11-19-2002
| Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 9:47 pm
I was just listening to KABC (L.A.) station and a caller called in. It may be that record producer Harv "Joe Hooker" Pierre of Sean Puffy Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment label offered him a deal. I cannot really substantiate it, but thought I'd throw it out there.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 9:48 pm
Yay; hope that is true!
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Rslover
Member
11-19-2002
| Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 9:52 pm
If that is true, I'm dying to hear what he was unhappy about (unless it was the contractual restrictions). Two weeks ago, (according to my source) he came in third, after Anthony and Bo. The contestants all thought he would win.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 9:55 pm
Ok, here's the link to the vague reference I mentioned above: MARIO.
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Rslover
Member
11-19-2002
| Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 10:04 pm
It is kind of vague. Well, Drudge has now added under his Mario link SOURCES: Did not want to be tied to exclusive IDOL contract... but no additional info.
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Sadiesmom
Member
03-13-2002
| Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 11:50 pm
Rumor had it that with a few Idols leaving the 19 management umbrella last year, that 19 tightened up the contracts so that escape is unlikely. The final 12 have to sign a more restrictive contract than the auditioners. He might not have wanted to sign that given that the known contracts had 19M taking 50% of the earnings and forcing them to sign with 19Merchandising and record with 19R (distibution BMG companies).
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Watching2
Member
07-07-2001
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 12:56 am
Wow, I'm shocked to come here and read this! I think he was one of my picks to make it all the way! I sure hope it is something good happening for him.
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Buggles
Member
09-07-2002
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 1:13 am
Good... I liked Nikko much better & imo he never should have left My hubby was just saying he can't believe Constantine got more votes than Nikko. <QT>

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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 1:17 am
You know, Mario looked tired and miserable when he sang his song last week. I remember phoning my mom and asking if she thought he'd been crying...his eyes were so sad and puffy looking. If you guys recall the judges were kinda Mean to him as well. Something was said about his ability to sing and hold notes I think. Either way, it is too bad that he felt he had to withdraw. I sure hope it hasnt got anything to do with his Sexual preference. That shouldnt make a bit of difference to this competition and I hope that he got a BETTER offer...after all, he really seemed like he'd be great on Broadway to me!!
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Lve2laff
Member
01-16-2004
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 4:17 am
It has to be true-if you look on Idolonfox.com, Nikko is there and Mario is out. Wow. I am shocked!
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Alisons
Member
01-10-2003
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 4:20 am
Maybe it is a combination of stress and the fact that he believes he would have other options. I know if someone waved a contract at me, I would bail on something as stressful as competing on the show!
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Fruitbat
Member
08-07-2000
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 7:53 am
They all go on this show for a break. Only one can win so it is really about doors opening. There is a onus to winning. No matter how hard Kelly, Clay, etc try, they will always be a reality show winner and not taken as seriously as other musicians. They will secure some financial success but I think all want to be taken seriously in the music industry and be free to do what they choose. I would not be surprized to hear this is a career move and he has been offered something good. The contract is over the top strict. They own you and 35% to 50% of your earnings for a period of time. I can't find the link to this info and it could be rumor but it is probably correct.
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Wilsonatmd
Member
01-23-2001
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 8:53 am
some people are skeptical at the family reasons statement because the a Fox station interviewed Mario's mother...and she was shocked to hear that he had withdrawn--no one had told her anything. I have to agree with the "he refused to sign the contract" angle, and Fox and the producers agreed to let him quit if he didn't mention it was because of the contract and bowout for a while(apparently, anyone who even made it past the auditions to the Hollywood round had to sign a contract saying they wouldn't sign a contract with another firm until 3 months after the finale, even if they didn't make it to the round of 24). "Personal reasons" can be taken to mean a lot of htings, and the contract isssue would be considered a personal decision.
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Max
Member
08-12-2000
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 9:11 am
Chances are he's not allowed to say much publicly until the competition is over. I'm hoping that it's because of that restrictive contract. Maybe they have one contract that's not too restrictive for use up to this point and a stronger one for all of the final twelve.
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Alisons
Member
01-10-2003
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 9:25 am
On Regis and Kelly this morning, they mentioned that Mario sounded "giddy" in an interview in NYC - not sure who the interview was for. I tape R&K and that was right at the beginning so I will go back and see if they did mention. Anyway, it made it sound like his decision to leave was not because of anything horrible.
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 9:32 am
I am always looking for the conspiracy in everything and this is what I am guessing. The AI folks really wanted to see Nikko move to the final four, what better publicity than the son of a hall of famer, good looking, nice guy and great voice to get the viewers watching. With Nikko going, I am betting they approached one of their favorites and offered him a sweet deal. They tell Mario to withdraw and they will guarantee him a contract. He has to keep his mouth shut, play the game and say he is leaving for personal reasons. They may allow him to do one or two appearances but no interviews where he discusses his reasons for leaving. Nikko is brought back and hopefully he goes further. I am looking to see Randy, Paula and Simon talk about how glad they are to see Nikko return because he didnt deserve to be voted out. Watch for Nikko to get better vocals and band support when he does his performances. I am glad to see Nikko back but it is a little too convenient for me that a spot opened up for him. The only way they could orchestrate this so it works for them is to have someone with real talent leave that way it wont hurt them to do a contract.
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Hootyhoot
Member
12-18-2001
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 9:36 am
I just think too many mouths would have to stay shut for this sort of conspiracy to work.
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Crzndeb
Member
07-26-2004
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 9:49 am
I fall more into the "didn't want to get tied to their contract" idea. Personally, I would never want to win the competition, just get seen. 19 would own you. Hey Maris, who really DID shoot Kennedy??? LOL!
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Bonzacat
Member
07-08-2003
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 10:45 am
Nigel Lithgoe was interviewed live by phone this morning on our local FOX show, "Good Day L.A." He said that Mario came to "them" Friday and expressed his desire to leave the show. It was a very long meeting and they called Nikko at 2:30am (Nikko time at home) to ask him if he would return. He jumped at it, arrived L.A. Saturday. They took Mario to "say goodbye to the kids", who were shocked and sad he was leaving, and thrilled to hear that Nikko would be returning. And poof, they bid farewell to Mario, respecting his wishes for privacy and repeating that he said he had to leave for "personal" reasons. The big interesting detail: Nigel said the rumors that Mario did not want to sign a contract are untrue, that the contracts have already been signed. No one questioned Nigel further during that phone interview about the contract...
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 10:51 am
Idol' finalist withdraws Show replaces Mario Vazquez with Nikko Smith Monday, March 14, 2005 Posted: 8:21 AM EST (1321 GMT) LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Fan favorite Mario Vazquez withdrew from "American Idol" on Sunday, and producers called in the son of a baseball Hall of Famer as backup. http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/14/tv.american.idol.ap/index.html (I am so amazed and impressed with Fox just accepting his leaving for personal feelings and then being so sensitive as to taking him to see the other finalists to say goodbye. Didnt bother them one little bit that he was leaving)
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Bonzacat
Member
07-08-2003
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 10:57 am
Maris - I wondered if Nigel had a "script" in front of him! And when he got to the part about taking Mario to "say goodbye to the other kids", I was picturing them locked up in their Freemantle-provided apartments, accepting food trays through the bars.
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Prisonerno6
Member
08-31-2002
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 11:14 am
quote:No matter how hard Kelly, Clay, etc try, they will always be a reality show winner
Clay didn't win. Your point still stands, but technically Ruben is the "reality show winner." Clay is the "reaper of reality show exposure benefits." 
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Scout
Member
01-20-2005
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 11:19 am
"reaper of reality show exposure benefits" LOL (wonder if that's how he writes it on his resume?)
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, March 14, 2005 - 11:23 am
OT: Btw, I saw Kelly Clarkson perform on the Today Show this morning. I have to say that (IMO) she sounded terrible and looked terrible. I was truly shocked by how thin her voice sounded. (Ok, I was never a big fan of hers, but really was shocked by how awful she was. Really bad.)
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