“American Idol” had cameras rolling when now-former finalist Jermaine Jones was told that he was being kicked off the show for hiding past criminal charges.
Host Ryan Seacrest mentioned the controversy briefly at the beginning of Wednesday’s show, saying producers received information from law enforcement officials “that left us with no choice but to eliminate one of our finalists from the competition. … When you’re doing a live show anything can happen.”
At the end of the hour, “Idol” aired the filmed meeting between Jones, 25, and executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick. The producers told Jones they had discovered Jones had four outstanding warrants for his’ arrest and that he had been arrested in both March and November of 2011 and gave fake names to the authorities.
“I just was scared, nervous,” Jones told producers when they asked why he didn’t disclose that information. “I didn’t want to get judged. I didn’t want to get penalized.”
Lythgoe explained that the show’s rules prohibit anyone with warrants. “You are absolutely fantastic,” he added, before the cameras showed Jones’ Tuesday rehearsal for this week’s performance show. He sang “Somewhere Out There” with a string section behind him.
Jones thanked Lythgoe and Warwick for the opportunity, shook their hands and was last seen being driven off the set.
Watch below.
Okay, dude had to know that his past was going to catch up with him. I think it was kinda crazy for him to go on a show like American Idol with 4 outstanding arrest warrants? *smh*
I think the judges knew about his criminal history at least some of it BUT it made for good ratings and with that people would tune in. AI is not doing too well so far this season The Voice and Big Bang Theory are beating them in as far as viewership is concerned. Come On now we all know he would not of won anyway, the judges and the fans favor one of the two girls with the powerful voices.
No fan, just reading the dailies but, If this dude wasn’t 25, I wouldn’t say this but, what-an-f-in’-idiot . . . . .negro, you’ve balready BEEN judged, outstanding warrants means you’re a criminal!! There’s no way they can tell me , given their ratings, that “Jermie’s” not getting something out of this >>>clean slate maybe?.
I want to know why someone in law enforcement contacted the show.
If they were going to arrest him, they should have just done so. That was a b*tch ass move by the hater that did that.
No, I don’t condone his foolishness. I also don’t condone the way law enforcement has been conducting themselves over the last 20 years looking to be on TV, on the radio, etc. They’ve been doing damn near anything to be out their and in the limelight. If they want to be a part of things and in the limelight, they need to do it the right way.
As I said, a bunch of bull hyt charges.
“You were criminally charged .., You are criminally charged were …”
Giving a fake name?! Getting arrested for falling down the stairs?!
You would think the man was charged with raping or battering someone.
But all publicity is good publicity.
Someone should pick him up soon.
We may be looking at the next Jenifer Hudson.
And why everybody keeps saying he wouldn’t have won.
I’m guessing folks would say the same about Ruben Studdard