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Fox’s American Idol has got to step up its efforts for basic background checks on the contestants who make it to the live shows. This year’s Top 12 finalist Jermaine Jones is the latest to be disqualified because of pending criminal charges. According to TMZ, the Idol producers didn’t find out until today that he had been arrested twice last year, including once for an incident that involved violence, and has outstanding warrants. Tonight, Jones confirmed that he was leaving the show on his official Idol Twitter feed.
Previously on Idol, Season 2 semifinalist Jared Andrews was dismissed over assault charges, while Top 9 finalist Corey Clark was disqualified over pending battery charges. Like Jones, they hadn’t disclosed their criminal history when signing up for the show. Another dismissed Idol semifinalist, early Season 2 frontrunner Frenchie Davis, who got the boot over racy photos, recently resurfaced on rival The Voice.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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There’s always rap.
“Outstanding Warrants”, on national television, and law enforcement couldn’t find him? Absurd. Idol tries.
I don’t see the problem, one of these guys could be the next Chris Brown!
There was something “off” about that guy…almost seemed like a simpleton. Apparently it wasn’t an act either…yikes.
This is doing the right thing. If someone wants to cause violence to another human – then they don’t get the prize – any questions? Cloris Leachman said it best in ‘High Anxiety’: “Those who are late do not get fruit cup.”
Wow, how long have you been waiting to find the right time to use that quote???
And are you sure this was it?
This is so ridiculous. As if they didn’t know or check his background before he began. They let it go so that at the right time they could have their “uh-huh!” moment and get tons of press. They do this every single year.
Theres a difference between a charge and a conviction. Ridiculous.
Um…did you miss the part about OUTSTANDING WARRANTS?
If you were a producer, would you want to risk the possibility of having him win the competition then immediately get busted on his outstanding warrants or begin serving a prison sentence while you’re trying to promote his first album?
AI acted inappropriately if they knew of his legal troubles but delayed action until it could be exploited for media attention, but AI did the right thing by bouncing him.
I’m so proud of our young people today.