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Mario Vazquez

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Mario Vazquez
Birth nameMario Adrian Vazquez
Born (1977-06-15) June 15, 1977 (age 47)
The Bronx, New York City, United States
GenresR&B, pop
OccupationMusician
Years active2005–2007
LabelsArista Records (2006-2007)
WebsiteOfficial MySpace page

Mario Adrián Vázquez (born June 15, 1977) is a Puerto Rican-American[1] singer from The Bronx, New York City. He competed on American Idol's fourth season, which aired on the FOX network in early 2005.

Biography

Early life

Raised by his single mother, Ada, in the Bronx, Vazquez is an alumnus of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. He was also involved in the CityKids Repertory Company in New York City, which enabled him to travel the country and perform in front of the President and at major charitable functions and shelters. In 2005, he was reunited with his estranged father, Mario Rivera, who discovered that his son was on American Idol while channel surfing.[2]

American Idol

Main article: American Idol (season 4)

After making it into the final round of twelve contestants on the hit reality show American Idol, Vazquez suddenly dropped out of the competition citing "personal family thing" a few days before the finals started.[3] When the press contacted his mother regarding his decision, she was unaware why he had left the show.[3]

There was much speculation about his decision; Vazquez appeared the next morning on "Good Day New York" on WNYW FOX5, and quashed rumors of a feud with "American Idol" producers or any of his competitors.[4] "American Idol was only positive. They were only wonderful to me, from the beginning through the middle, to the end," he told the show. "It had nothing to do with the contract or anything signed with J Records." J Records is the same company that manages Idol winners Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino. Vazquez later said that he wanted more artistic control and creating his own sound,[5] and he felt that he would be more restricted staying on the show.[6] He felt that since he was now known worldwide as a semi-finalist, he could end the competition and go solo. He believed that his musical success would not make a difference whether he quit as a semi-finalist or participated in the finals round. Vazquez was replaced on the show by Nikko Smith, who had previously been voted out.

American Idol season 4 performances and results
Episode Song Choice Original Artist Order # Result
Auditions "Whatever Happens" Michael Jackson N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round,
Part 1 		"Bohemian Rhapsody" Queen
Hollywood Round,
Part 2 		"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)"
with Jamar Jefferson and Anwar Robinson 		Four Tops
Hollywood Round,
Part 3 		"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" The Bee Gees
Top 24 (Top 12 Men) "Do I Do" Stevie Wonder 12 Safe
Top 20 (Top 10 Men) "I Love Music" The O'Jays 1
Top 16 (Top 8 Men) "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" The Bee Gees 6 Quit1

^1 Originally making the Top 12, Vazquez withdrew from the show due to personal reasons. He was replaced by Nikko Smith.

Music Career-Present

In August 2005, Vazquez signed with J Records/Arista Records and worked on an album executive produced by Clive Davis.[7] Vazquez's manager was Arnold Stiefel, who also managed Rod Stewart.[7] He worked with Ne-Yo, Akon, Soulshock and Karlin, Lester Mendez, Scott Storch, and Luny Tunes.[8][9] Some of these artists' songs with Vasquez did not make the final cut on his album. His first single Gallery was released in May 2006, and reached number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[10] Vazquez's self-titled album was released September 26, 2006 by Arista Records. Later that year, Vazquez performed on the Cartoon Network Friday block on August 25, 2006. A second single "One Shot" was released to radio in February 2007.

After leaving J Records in 2008, he worked with a few dance DJs, appearing on collaborations with Hype Jones and Ted Nilsson in 2012.[11]

In 2012, he signed with ELEVEN 34 Records, and began work on his second studio album. His new lead single, "One Shot" (a different song than the one that appeared on his debut) was released to radio in April 2013.[12]

Controversy

In 2007, Magdaleno Olmos, an employee of Fremantle Media which produces American Idol, filed a lawsuit against Fremantle Media, Fox Entertainment, and Mario Vazquez claiming wrongful termination.[13] The lawsuit alleged that Vazquez sexually harassed Olmos by performing a lewd act in front of him and offered sexual favors.[14] Olmos claimed that he tried to report the incident to a superior but was threatened with dismissal, and he was "terminated" a few months after the incident. Olmos' lawyer also suggested that Idol producers had forced Vasquez out over the complaint, and claimed that Nigel Lythgoe, the show producer, had said to Olmos, "we know that this happened and we are going to let Mario Vazquez go, and you’re going to stay."[15]

Vazquez was reported to be "very upset, almost distraught" over the claim and that he didn't even remember Magdaleno Olmos.[16] He had previously denied that he is gay and that he quit the show for "artistic reasons".[5] The judge later ruled that Olmos had signed an agreement to "arbitrate all disputes and not file a lawsuit," and sent the case to arbitration and put a hold on the lawsuit.[17]

Discography

Albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
[18] 		FR
[19]
2006 Mario Vazquez

  • Released: September 26, 2006
  • Label: Arista
 80 104
  • US sales: 56,000[20]

Singles

  • 2006: "Gallery" #35 Hot 100, #15 Pop 100, #31 Hot Digital Songs, #90 European Hot 100 Singles
  • 2007: "One Shot"
  • 2012: "You Are the Only One" (w/Hype Jones)
  • 2013: "One Shot" (2013)

References

  1. ^ Mario Vazquez from About.com
  2. ^ Ex-Idol Mario Vazquez Reunites with His Dad from People 6 October 2006
  3. ^ a b Mario Vazquez quits 'American Idol', Fox names Nikko Smith as new finalist
  4. ^ Mario Vazquez Quits 'Idol' — 'It Wasn't Right For Me'
  5. ^ a b Interview with Mario Vasquez
  6. ^ New Mario Vazquez interview
  7. ^ a b Carla Hay and Stephen M. Silverman (August 18, 2005). "Idol Mario Vazquez Signs Record Deal". People.com. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ 'Idol' Dropout Mario Vazquez Shows 'Grittier' Side On Debut, Hopes For Spot On Christina Tour
  9. ^ Q&A Sessions: Mario Vazquez
  10. ^ Billboard Hot 100
  11. ^ https://soundcloud.com/mariovazqueznow
  12. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fvTVYYU5y4
  13. ^ "A.I." Contestant Accused of "Masturbating" in Suit
  14. ^ Olmos court document
  15. ^ Lawsuit: ‘Idol’ producers forced Vasquez out
  16. ^ Mario Vazquez Is Not a Bad 'Idol'
  17. ^ Ex-'Idol' employee ordered to arbitrate Mario Vazquez harassment suit
  18. ^ Billboard - Album
  19. ^ French album peak
  20. ^ Billboard 20 Jan 2007
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