The rumors surrounding popular Idol finalist Mario Vasquez's abrupt departure from the show have generally fixed on personal skeletons, including speculation that he might be gay. Vasquez was replaced on the show by Nikko Smith, son of Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith.
But the truth may be a lot more calculated and clear-eyed than anything like that. Roger Friedman of Fox News is claiming that Vasquez has turned the tables on Idol and is getting while the getting is good having used Idol to catapult to fame:
- He's hired former "Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken's high-powered record-industry lawyer. And he may have jeopardized his "amateur" status by being featured on an album that's already been released.
Vazquez, I've learned, has gotten Atlanta entertainment lawyer Jess L. Rosen to represent him. Coincidentally — or not, depending on how you look at it — Rosen is most famous for extricating Aiken from his octopus-tentacled "American Idol" management contract with Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment last year.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Mario is featured on an album that was originally released last May and had a re-release this week, according to Amazon.com. He sings several pop songs as the only guest vocalist on "Worlds of Change," by an Argentine flamenco and R&B guitarist named Cesar.
....The show's Web site states: "In order to be eligible, the contestants are not permitted to have any CURRENT recording or talent-management agreements."
In leaving the show, Vasquez was obviously convinced of the value of bowing out now rather than continuing through the needless process of competition. Aiken would be his role model.
After losing "American Idol" to Ruben Studdard, Aiken realized that he was stuck with a management contract that kept him with Fuller, the show's owner, for years to come at a very high commission.
Rosen got him out of it and moved him over to Jeff Kwatinetz's behemoth agency, The Firm.
....So I guess it's fairly clear that Mario's "personal reasons" were specifically about the money he could make if he bolted the show before being indebted to them legally and financially for a couple of years.
Rosen, who did not return calls, prides himself on negotiating contracts for artists, according to his Web site.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Kim, Lpool, England
I am watching this for the first time on Friday night in the UK. I missed the beginning of the show and was surprised and curious that Nikko was back in the running. Now having read that Mario is quit I am distraught!!! Just watched the first ad after the break before results are announced and can see the total commercial exploitation linked with sponsors Ford....maybe Mario is greedy but perhaps he has more integrity in protecting his individuality than the others?
2 - Eric Olsen
I think he achieved what he thought he needed to achieve, which was to make it to the finals. Then, rather than go through long ordeal, and/or quit in the middle of the finals when it really would impact his fellow performers, he bugged out now to begin his professional solo career ahead of whoever comes out on top this season
3 - Kim lpool england
Has anyone listened to Cesar???? Just going to pop into the music store to have a nosey....will report back!
4 - Kim lpool England
Had a listen-its not up to much! The song titles are incredibly cheesy,, Save the world and God is like a mirror.....pleeeeese!
5 - Eric Olsen
Thanks for checking it out - probably why it flew under the radar!
6 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
here in the UK, Rick Waller, who was among the faves to win, pulled out of Pop Idol in the semi-finals stage or thereabouts. He too launched a pop career. At a recent concert, he sold something like 6 tickets. seriously. I feel kinda bad for him, though,. he had a fucking stunnin voice. big fella, mind.
7 - Eric Olsen
interesting Duke, here in the solipsistic U.S. of A. it's easy to forget that there are other Idols going on round the globe, including its founding locale, the U.K., kind of like the nation itself
8 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
i pretty much ignore every other Idol, and truth be told, i only tuned into the american one cause Simon was doing it.
Mind you, i ain't saw a frame of this series...
9 - Eric Olsen
I'm really just getting into AI4 now - it seems to take me longer each season to start to feel the vibe, but I really like Bo and nadia and want to see them do well
10 - Aly
I love Mario! I cant believe he quit.
Is he really gay?
11 - Janet
Well, I knew the story would come out sooner or later. It's probably better for him in the long run. While I always want m faves to win, it's often a blessing in disguise when they don't. Most of them are too naive to know what they are getting in to.
12 - Kelli
Well, I will tell you how udderly disapointed I was that Mario has quit the competition. I believe no rumors. Mario truley had a wonderful singing voice and was amazing to watch perform. I will miss him so very very much. My whole family were Mario supporters from the beginning and hope that someday we will see him again. Love to you Mario!!!
13 - Eric Olsen
Kelli, are you by any chance dairy farmers?
14 - Victor Plenty
Kelli's family is outstanding in its field, dairy farmers or no.
15 - Karen
I purchased the album "Worlds of Change" amazing!!!!! It has about four to five great songs....... I guess you have to listen to it to give your opinion.
16 - Eric Olsen
thanks for the input Karen, very interested to hear it for myself
17 - Vivienne
Have you listened to 'World of change'. I love it, love it, love it...My favorite songs are 'get up and dance' and 'save the last dance'.
18 - Eric Olsen
I wonder if Mario's new management has calculated the loss of weekly exposure in front of tens of millions of viewers every week by leaving the show early
19 - Mark Mark
I do believ that in this day and time Mario would have quite Idol "because he was gay". Gay? And your point is? WHO CARES! GOD! How many pop stars are NOT gay? Besides .... What's the big deal!?
20 - Eric Olsen
good point - whether he is or isn't, that does not appear to be the reason why he quit
21 - debbie conway
he is the best singer.....god bless mario!!!
22 - B-rian
Mario quit American idol Because he was offered a record deal and a lot of money from Sean P Diddy Combs. He cant officaly sign until May when his contract with American Idol ends.
23 - Alligator
Everyone in our school likes him. They say he looks like Jai Rodriguez of Fab 5. Maybe he really is gay.
24 - Julia
wait! i dont get it!! i am a huge fan of clay aiken but i dont get that whole role model part! i mean i know clay is a role model to many people including me but i dont get why he would be a role model to mario. oh and on american idol i thought mario was good but once he quit i gave up on him. He seems to think he is too good for american idol and all the other contestants but oh well!
25 - caitlin
yea u are all talking junk about mario but check out the i-tunes top 100 and listen to the radio. he has a hit song out- unlike most of the people who actually get to the finals of american idol. so how bout u stop talking junk!