'American Idol' SPOILER ALERT: An axed contestant speaks out

While the hunt for the top 24 remains largely speculative at this point, one thing is certain: Shaun Barrowes did not make the cut.

Here is Shaun’s inflammatory statement, courtesy of votefortheworst.com:

"Well, I made it to the top 48 and got cut. They're not looking for a whole lot of variety this year, as all the contestants who made it through are either rockers or 16 and the type they can mold into whatever they want. But I caught a glimpse at the contract the top 24 has to sign, and i'm glad i didn't have to sign it. If I made it to the top 24, they would own me for 3 years no matter how far i made it, and if I had won, they would make big changes to my music. I got a pretty good feel for what they're looking for, and they don't want artists who already have an established sound--all my favorite contestants who I thought were great songwriters with a unique artistic sound were also cut today. I'm once again in full control of my music career, and I'm very relieved I'm out..."

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Comments

[Apres Ski]

I knew those contracts were hermetically sealing people in & not giving them any creative freedoms at all. Even Clay Akin (who they thought was a country bumpkin) got an attorney & had them make some alterations so he could breathe.

No wonder people, Ruben Studdard, et al, are being dropped by the record companies & not producing any albums/singles because they are just running out the clock until they are free to be on their own again.

It's selling your soul to the Devil, 19 Entertainment (Cowell, et al) . . . because they already have & they are looking to feed the Beast . . . the Devil himself!!!

This is so sad, but now people like Stephanie Lysaght are shining a light on the problem & letting us know that winning isn't every thing. It's more important to keep your soul than sell it!

[Rob]

This is just my opinion, so take it as such. I don't consider myself to be an industry expert. However, most people who audition for Idol are looking for exposure and a way into the industry. Without Idol , odds are very strong we wouldn't have heard of Clay Aiken or Ruben Studdard. ( I have bought every Cd the forementioned artists have recorded) I have become huge fans of singers like Tamyra Gray, Rj Helton, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson all the way to the current installments of singers like Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle. My favorites have not always won, and do be honest I don't follow every episode like I did the first three seasons.

With this thought in mind, anyone who decides not to continue with the rules set forth has the option to either blow their audition or decide this isn't for them after all. All we have to do is look at Mario Vasquez, who decided to quit before the final 12. He got a lot of exposure through Idol, however, I haven't seen him since, nor did I buy his CD whenever it was released. He was an okay vocalist, but I wouldn't have voted for him.

Why do I say all of this? Because anyone who complains about the very industry they sought to be apart of, should recognize that this is a business, filled with possibilities as well as regrets, that's life in general. So if you've learned a lesson through this, good for you. Be grateful for the experience, because there are a lot of other people who would have been glad to be in your shoes.

[cris]

I really feel badly for Josiah. I thought he deserved to go through. Some didn't act like it meant as much to them as it would have for that kid! If you see this Josiah, God bless, you are a sweet kid! Persevere!!!!