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American Idol Wannabe Already Has a Record

Posted Jan 18th 2007 3:49PM by TMZ Staff

Before he wowed Simon, Paula and Randy during last night's "American Idol," Thomas Daniels took his fair share of punishment from real judges over several criminal charges, including drunk driving.

TMZ has unearthed legal documents which reveal that in 2004, Daniels was convicted of DUI in Clackamas, Oregon. The 21-year-old, who was the first wannabe to get the green light from the "AI" crew on last night's show, pled guilty and was sentenced to a one-year alcohol diversion program and a $680 fine. Daniels also attended eight AA meetings and saw a counselor once a week for two months. After the completing his DUI sentence, the incident was wiped from Daniels' record.

TMZ spoke exclusively with Daniels who said, in reference to his DUI, "I was young and dumb and drinking and driving."

In December 2005, Daniels was arrested again; this time for hit and run. He failed to appear in court for the arraignment, so Daniels was rearrested. TMZ could not find the disposition of the hit and run. Daniels called the incident "another young and dumb situation."

When asked if he disclosed his criminal past to "American Idol" producers, Daniels had no comment.

Tags: thomas daniels, ThomasDaniels

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46. BTW NICE JACKET YA DICKHEAD YOU LOOK LIKE THE ROCK AND GEORGE JEFFERSON'S LOVE CHILD ON POT

Posted at 3:15PM on Jan 19th 2007 by ARTIKULATE

47. Wow does it really matter look at some of these other famous singers / rappers like they dont have a criminal record

Posted at 8:19AM on Jan 19th 2007 by dan

48. Wanna know WHY they're already digging up dirt on his guy? Well, it's because he's the next American Idol, if they don't foolishly boot 'em, that is!

Peace ...

Posted at 10:07AM on Jan 19th 2007 by Mellen

49. Ah gimme a break, thats not any kind of friggin record. He dealt with it all and took care of it like he should have and now it's wiped.
I've only met Tommy D a couple times but I have friends who grew up with him and he's a good guy, I hope he makes it all the way!

Posted at 10:42AM on Jan 19th 2007 by C

50. Daniels may be a so-so singer, but not disclosing his criminal convictions as part of Idol's qualification process is not only a deliberate lie, it's a cover-up, fraudulent and deceptive. No doubt, Daniels will try and blame his lying and cover-up on an abusive and poor upbringing. And no, Idol shouldn't allow convicted criminals, even if the conviction is for stealing a bar of soap, to compete. I'm sick and tired of these assinine, spoiled, over-indulged, egotistical low-lifes thinking it's perfectly acceptable to commit crimes, get convicted for them and then expect everyone else to think it's no big deal, and give him a pass. If a convicted criminal is lying as a cover-up, they're already beyond rehabilitation and have no right being part of a so-called civilized society. If a contest, a job, or anything else requires that a participant have nocriminal convictions in their past as a condition of that participation, then that's the way it's got to be. That's part of the rules and like them or not, they'll just have to be followed. Such rules aren't unreasonable, either. Being a convicted criminal is a big deal, but evidently Daniels doesn't care at all about this, including those he victimized with his criminal acts. Daniels doesn't belong on the Idol competition and should be yanked from it and disbarred from ever being allowed to participate again. Perhaps Idol needs to do criminal background checks and also check for drug usage. Honesty and integrity are more important than so-called talent.

TH

Posted at 11:40AM on Jan 19th 2007 by TH

51. ROTFLMBAO I have to completly agree with #1 that was some classic s*it!!

Posted at 1:44PM on Jan 19th 2007 by NubianGoddez

52.
Well this is a show about REAL people making good as a singer. Real people sometimes have pasts that they may not be proud of. Lets not sweat the small stuff. Now if you find out he's an axe murder, THEN roast the poor guy. I'm not saying that DUI is ok but normal folks sometimes make mistakes. Lighten up on the guy.

Posted at 2:16PM on Jan 19th 2007 by Ron

53. TMZ, 1st time looking at your site, last time as well. If all your trying to do is make b.s. headlines and ruin peoples lives, do it to those who have already made it big, not the public.

Posted at 2:42PM on Jan 19th 2007 by Jamie

54. So what if he has been in trouble before. Now he's trying to straighten out his life. It's things like this that try to keep people, who have been in trouble, from bettering themselves. That's why they call it the past. Something happens, you learn from it , then you move on. Personally I think if your too squeeky clean, you have alot more to lose when you fall. Plus, I don't trust you. It doesn't mean your not sneaky, just means you haven't been caught yet.

Posted at 4:46PM on Jan 19th 2007 by Michael

55. Hey TH, your an idiot. You think anyone who has commited a crime should be banished from the working world and stripped of all chances to prosper. So what does that leave them to do, sell drugs and commit crimes? Know wonder it is so hard to get out of the cycle. Again thanks to idiots like you who force people to decide to bag groceries or commit more and worse crimes.

Posted at 2:53PM on Jan 19th 2007 by Jamie

56. I realize DUI is a serious thing, does it mean that we have to bring it out. If the guy was amurderer or a rapist it would be one thing. Give the guy a break. He only past the audition.

Posted at 5:15PM on Jan 19th 2007 by rob

57. and I thought i had it bad, when does the witch hunts ever end. I guess if britney can have her baby on her lap n get away with it, oh yeah he aint famous yet -huh-

Posted at 2:58PM on Jan 19th 2007 by misty

58. Who hasnt gotten a DUI before... That doesnt mean your a criminal. He can sing, so why dont they just focus on that,and leave the past in the past!!!!

Posted at 3:30PM on Jan 19th 2007 by Mrs smith

59. did you people just wake up from the Stone Age?? The Drinking and show business/music mix has been around since forever. Like this is something new. American Idol is a JOKE. Real musicians don't go on a silly TV show to become famous. And Simon, I can sympathize with you and your snide comments because, to tell you the truth, I really believe you're embarrassed about the whole scene and being on the show....But I know the money's good. And some the these performers I believe are going on the show just to make it an even bigger JOKE..Criticising someone about his/her natural-born "looks" is downright pathetic.....but most of all BLOODY CRUEL. I don't waste my time tuning in for one minute of any show. Corny, man, corny. Randy and Paula are cool. And I think you'd be a cool person to hang out and chat with. It's just ...I I think the whole idea of the show--"WE'LL make you a BIG STAR, "blah, blah, blah, is soooo pretentious and passe....it's like a something that would have been done in the early 60's...But thanx to The Beatles in changing the world of music, fashion and just about everything else cool...we have this.......everybody wants to be a ..........

Posted at 3:39PM on Jan 19th 2007 by ben

60. So what, DUI laws are unconstituional anyway, with a BAC of .08 it only takes 2 drinks to get a DUI these days, leave the kid alone, when u get a DUI they punish the shit out of u anyway!

Posted at 3:49PM on Jan 19th 2007 by JoJo

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