Celebrity Justice
Akron: "Idol" Knew About Pot Bust Before Audition

As rumors continue to swirl about why "American Idol" contestant Akron Watson was mysteriously booted from the show, the fallen wannabe is speaking out, claiming that FOX producers knew about a previous drug bust, "from the very very first day, before I even auditioned." Many idol contestants have entered the competition with lengthy criminal records.
Akron Speaks -- Click to Hear

On a radio interview with "Tony & Cappy In the Morning" at KDMX in Dallas, Watson said producers have still not come clean with him about why he was told he wouldn't be making the trip to Hollywood, less than 24 hours after millions watched Paula, Randy and Simon send him through to the next round. "I questioned and questioned, and they had a psychologist call me because they thought that I might be flipping out, but I just really wanted to know why I went down there and earned my ticket and didn't get a chance to go."

As TMZ reported yesterday, Watson was busted for pot possession in 2003. Many speculate that he was booted for not disclosing his record with producers. Watson, a Dallas native, earned a golden ticket to Hollywood during the San Antonio auditions. Reps for "Idol" had no comment on the controversy.



Tags: akron watson, AkronWatson, american idol, AmericanIdol

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(Page 2 of 2) Previous 15 Comments

16. Why was that buttplug Bo Bice allowed to go to the final two when he had a cocaine arrest? Why are they kicking off Akron for a doobie? Sounds racist to me.

Posted at 1:59PM on Feb 8th 2007 by BoReD

17. Reps for Idol had no comment? Really? Well what could they say? Sorry folks we don't want too many black people on the show? Bunch of racist pricks.

Posted at 2:13PM on Feb 8th 2007 by AI sucks

18. Very typical of the Black community..............EVERYTHING comes down to race! Did you see how many Black people made it through to Hollywood. No! you choose to ignore that and single in on just one that didn't. Get some class and act like you want to be treated!

Posted at 1:29AM on Feb 9th 2007 by lucy kerr

19. Wow #14 you have some serious anger issues. I hope you get help with that real soon...have a great day!

Posted at 3:02PM on Feb 8th 2007 by Skye

20. If he had a cocaine arrest and did not tell them he should go not go. to Hollywood
Good grief!! if AI wanted to get rid of him they could have booted him after his first song fest in Hollywood with no questions asked.

they have not shown ALL who made it to Hollywood. So why don't you all just calm down? Who says it is not balanced racially?

Once in Hollywood you either learn the songs and do the act or you get sent home. It has nothing to do with race. If you have noticed-- the singers who have won have been great for the most part.

There have been 5 winners. Two have done extremely well and the other 3 "not so well.
One runner up has also done well, and an AI finalist is up for an Oscar! I think the judges know who is good and who isn't. It is up to America to vote intelligently which they did not do last year.


Once again a tempest in a teapot. he wasn't that good anyway. I was surprised they picked him.

Posted at 3:12PM on Feb 8th 2007 by PJ

21. He wasn't that good. He wouldn't have made in the finals any way. I thought he butched that Sam Cooke song . When you come to perform a song by Cooke you better be able to sing your heart out.He didn't!

Posted at 3:27PM on Feb 8th 2007 by Webb Kopp

22. Shut up 18. It was pot he had not cocaine get your facts straight asswipe.

Posted at 3:25PM on Feb 8th 2007 by Get Real

23. I do believe if this happened in 2003, it is now 2007!!!!.......I think he has learned his lesson.....He should be allowed to go 2 Hollywood...Po or not!!!!...He is talented!!!.....Now they have issues with the Ebony the girl who sang Whitney and the girl who they sent home and told her to come back...All are quite talented and should be able to move on......Remember Frenchie? ....She could really sing and because in the 90's she showed her breasts on the internet, they cut her..............Idol need to get a grip...I also noticed that they let go a lot of people black and white who could really sing.....What r they thinking this year?.......

Posted at 11:21PM on Feb 8th 2007 by Rhedscorpion

24. #23
Lucy, you are missing the point. People are pulling the race card because AI disqualified a black man for pot possession, but allowed a white man to compete even though he had a POT AND COCAINE posession in his background. Comparing apples to apples, his was a greater offense, but they let him compete anyway. Among black and white contestants with no record, all is fair. Black vs. White with record, the disparity is obvious!!!!

Posted at 4:32AM on Feb 9th 2007 by missy

25. You're all being dumb. No one was booted cuz they're black. Yes everyone makes mistakes but when it will interfere with a show that has a schedule and can't afford to have people out becuz they have court for felony cases which in most cases means they'll have probation and if they ARE on probation for felonys they CANNOT leave the state!!! Know your sh!t before you try to make accusations.

Posted at 12:58PM on Feb 9th 2007 by ashley

26. Oh gee, maybe now Jesse Jackson will get involved...can't wait.

Posted at 4:39PM on May 10th 2007 by suz42431

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