If you’ve been watching Hollywood Week, then you may recall Matheus Fernandes mentioning that he’s never performed with a live band before. But he’s coming under attack for those comments, and is now having to defend himself. Also in today’s Roundup, one of the auditioners who received a ticket to Hollywood is no longer in the competition — read on for her statement. And listen to Crystal Bowersox’s new single from her upcoming album.
American Idol Recap: Narrowing the Field >>>
Matheus Fernandes Defends Himself Against Accusations
Do we have another liar in our midst? A contestant featured during Hollywood Week, Matheus Fernandes, told Ryan Seacrest, “This is the first time I’m singing with a live band by myself.” Then right after his disastrous solo round performance that caused his elimination, he said, “It’s my first time playing with a live band like that.” But for those of us who watched him compete on The Glee Project, we know he’s telling a flat-out lie because he performed with a band on the Glee reality show spin-off.
Now that everyone’s crying foul, Matheus is coming to his own defense, claiming on his Facebook page that he did not lie: “For everyone who mentioned I lied about singing with a live band, because I apparently ‘have done it in the past with the Glee Project‘ hear this: REALITY is very much what is perceived to be through your TV screen, but make no mistake. Make no mistake… LOTS happens behind the scenes to an extent where the audience is NOT very aware of all circumstances. That’s all I’ll say.”
He finishes by saying, “I am an HONEST person. I do NOT lie. Lies for me are for life or death situations and any bit of dishonesty I see within a person completely turns me off from that character, because I have a moral code within myself.”
If you read his words carefully, it sounds like he’s saying the band on The Glee Project was using a backtrack and not actually performing live. He claims to have a moral code and does not lie. But even if my guess here is correct, he’s still not being completely honest and forthcoming; otherwise, he wouldn’t try to beat around the bush, so to speak, with his comments. It’s doubtful he’s under contract anymore with The Glee Project, otherwise he probably wouldn’t be able to compete on Idol, and if that’s the case, he should just come out and tell the truth.
Also in his talk with Ryan Seacrest, he said, “I used to only sing in my car, or my bedroom.” Maybe that was the case up until a few years ago. But there’s been no mention whatsoever during his run on Idol that he’s been on TV before. He’s trying to put out the perception that he’s this green kid who’s a little unsure of himself and is still trying to get used to being in the spotlight.
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Auditioner Not Going to Hollywood for Unknown Reason
Matheus isn’t the only one having a rough time on Idol. Mackenzie Wasner auditioned in Chicago. And after performing “Whenever You Come Around,” she received unanimous praise from the judges and a golden ticket to Hollywood. But when the girls are featured next week, Mackenzie will be nowhere in sight. That’s because, for some reason, she’s had to bow out of the competition.
She wrote on her Facebook page, “Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, I will not be competing in the finals in Hollywood. While I’m disappointed, nothing will stop me from continuing to pursue my dream of entertaining everyone through my music. I’ll update my Facebook page to let you know about my plans — and I hope I get to meet all of you and sing for you! I can’t wait to see who is the next American Idol!!”
What does this mean? She can’t move on in the competition because of “circumstances beyond [her] control.” Did the producers find something in Mackenzie’s background check that she wasn’t truthful about? Was there an illness or death in the family where she needed to be closer to home? She doesn’t say, but she makes it clear it wasn’t her decision. Since we won’t get to see her in the next round, let’s revisit her audition:
Listen to Crystal Bowersox’s New Single “Dead Weight”
Season 9 runner-up Crystal Bowersox is gearing up for the release of her sophomore album (her first for Shanachie Records) in March. She debuted her new single “Dead Weight” on Ryan Seacrest‘s radio show and explained the meaning behind the song: “This song means more to me than even I can completely comprehend. I feel like it’s one of those tunes where the meaning will get deeper and deeper over time as you start to really live, and actualize the words into your existence. It’s about knowing in your heart that not knowing the outcome is perfectly acceptable; breathe. I’m still figuring it out myself.”
Listen to the laid-back indie tune below:
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(Image courtesy of FOX)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.
