American Idol: Goodbye Antonella, Hello Again Mario

Flashback two years ago: America was buzzing over the fact that Mario Vazquez, considered one of the favorites to win it all, suddenly has stepped down from his place in the American Idol Top 12! Mario cited “personal reasons” in some venues and leaned toward some sort of family crisis in others. The odd thing was Vazquez’ own mother had no idea why Mario stepped down, and seemed oblivious to any sort of family crisis at the time.

There was talk that Mario walked away at the advice of legal representation; there was talk that he was HIV-positive; some said he was made a better record deal offer; others hinted at a relationship on the rocks due to Mario’s time away from home. It was a mystery, wrapped in an enigma that was never really solved. Whatever the true answer was, Mario wasn’t talking.

His final word on the issue was, “"[It] has nothing to do with my family, nothing to do with me being sick, nothing like that. Basically there will be lots of hearsay on certain things."

Now, a former American Idol accountant, Magdaleno Olmos claims Vazquez sexually harassed Olmos while both were involved with American Idol. Olmos alleges that Vazquez was fondling himself, masturbating and offering to perform oral sex. Olmos also names American Idol in the suit, claiming he was wrongfully terminated after reporting the incident to his superior.

However, in a recent interview with MSNBC, Olmos’ lawyer claims that American Idol may have tried to resolve the issue by asking Vazquez to leave the show.

“I believe [Vazquez’s departure] was not voluntary in any way shape or form,” Matt Matern told Access Hollywood Wednesday. “There were meetings held on that same day with the executives Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick, with my client and with the attorneys for American Idol.

“They asked my client what had happened,” Matern continued. “Then I believe they interviewed Mr. Vazquez that same day, brought my client back in for a second interview and [I’m told], Nigel Lythgoe, put his arm around my client and said, ‘we know that this happened and we are going to let Mario Vazquez go, and you’re going to stay.’”

Matern suggests American Idol tried to sweep the issue under the rug. But, things continued to spiral when Olmos requested to speak with a psychologist about the issue. American Idol chose a psychologist – one that had previously treated Mario Vazquez, Olmos learned. When Olmos asked for a different therapist, American Idol refused, he alleges. After telling his superior that he went to see a doctor he chose himself, the supervisor allegedly told Olmos he was “not excused to go to the doctor,” and was fired, according to MSNBC.

Olmos and his attorneys filed suit when efforts to settle the matter had stalled. Matern says the show’s producers had begun to characterize Olmos and Vazquez in a “consensual scenarios.”

Matern says, "Initially, the Fremantle and American Idol attorneys said, 'Well you need to go after Mr. Vazquez, he is the wrongdoer.' And then when that line of attack didn't work, then they tried to say, 'Well, actually this was a consensual relationship between Mr. Olmos and Mr. Vazquez,' and therefore they're not liable for anything that happened between my client and Mr. Vazquez because it was consensual," Matern told Access Hollywood. "Obviously, those two statements are contradictory."

The statute of limitations for sexual harassment is two years in California. Olmos’ suit just barely meets that deadline.

"Mr. Olmos immediately complained about this conduct and sought representation. We tried to resolve this case informally with American Idol and Fremantle and Fox, but they refused to engage in meaningful settlement discussions and so we now had to file a lawsuit," Matern told Access Hollywood.

Despite his brief stay on American Idol, Mario Vazquez was signed to Clive Davis’ J Records, where his critically acclaimed debut CD, Mario Vazquez, has already yielded a bona fide hit with “Gallery.”

Sting7 has been a respected published writer for many years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He also has a curious love for pro-wrestling! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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