Just heard on the news that Mario is out and Nikko is back in. So, I check AI's website and found out that Mario is no longer posted on their webpage.

http://www.idolonfox.com/contestants/

SHINE GET!lowercase

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...merican_idol_6

Yahoo says that it is for pesonnal reason, "It's just a personal family thing," he told the Web site. "My family is my top priority."

I'm sure he is still under some kind of contract with AI.

I heard his brother Luigi has gone missing.

Too bad, since he was one of the favorites to win.

So Nikko's back in....and will be gone again on Wednesday.

Not sure why you say that. He's a lot better than most of the girls, so he'll outlast them at least.

They were speculating here on local L.A. tv, that he did not want to be locked into ( had he won ) an A I recording contract, and do the cheesy tour the finalists go on. He felt he could get a good deal now, being the Idol favorite.

Two words: gay porn.

[Okay, it's probably not true...but let's start the rumor mill anyway...I mean, you've seen this guy, right?!]

He was my pick to win it all after the final 12 were anounced. That's pretty lame. Mario=3-4nikkos

this doesn't surprise me one bit. some agent or manager got to him, barring some serious family problem. IMO he would have won the whole thing. it's really shocking that it took idol for him to get a big break. plain and simple, american idol needs him more than he needs american idol. thats something that wasn't the case with past winners.

the gamble, though, is that winning idol all but assures success. who knows if he's going to be able to get that kind of exposure now.

And do what without the relentless Idol marketing machine pumping thier top 12 CONSTANTLY?...

...funny, he'll quit Idol, sign a deal, and spend the rest of his life trying to get a guest spot on a show with HALF the audience of AI.

If his family pushed him twords this I have to let him know...taking business advice from people who live in the South Bronx is not the greatest idea.

(Now, NE Bronx is another story)

That is one bizarre statement

Wow. I thought he was one of the front runners for the contest. I'll bet he can still get a deal somewhere.

I am sure he is locked into the AI contract, one of the news programs mentioned this early this morning.

AI is not going to let people come on the show, get free air time and then drop off to do their own thing.

Patently false. The one contestant that is bringing in new viewers is Bo, because for once we have somebody who is good but who isn't content to just sing the same old bubblegum crap each week.

If you honestly think the "rocker" crowd is staying home on Tuesday nights and vote you are sorely mistaken.

Not so fast, mister! "Bubblegum Crap" week isn't until the first week of April! Let's not judge so harshly until then!

I know more than a few people who ordinarily wouldn't watch the show who are tuning in because of Bo. I don't think they're a majority, but he is bringing new viewers. Mario is just another "boy band" clone. They've had dozens of "Marios" on the show over the years. He's very talented, but he's not unique.

Reguardless, the statement you responded to is insane anyway

A 20 year old nothing from the Bronx does not need the hitmaking, cultural icon, top rated show on TV the last 3 years?!?!?!?!

That may be true, but your sample of friends hardly indicates the nation as a whole. From the numbers I've seen, American Idol's demographics have stayed relatively the same from the previous year.

I do agree, however, that Mario needed the show more than it needed him. If there's one thing that's been shown time and time again, when someone's favorite performer gets voted off, those people still watch it.

maybe the statement wasn't clear. what i meant to say was that he doesn't need american idol to get some type of recording deal IMO. The guy is talented enough and has a good enough image to warrant getting signed to a deal somewhere. but plenty of people get recording contracts. its up in the air whether he'll be successful or not and obviously he'll be hard pressed to get the kind of exposure idol can give him. but this is also a big loss for idol, becuase they pretty much own these people career wise and mario probably would have been one of their more sucessful artists.

I think the the big income off this show comes from advertising, not from eventual record sales.

Did I miss the meeting that said Mario was going to win the whole competition? I never saw him do anything amazing. I would say that right now the people with the best chance to win would be Nadia, Anwar, or Bo.

No joke...that's what I've been saying to my friends. I think it has something to do with his sexuality. Kid is gayer than 10 of me.