Evil Jason Explains His Performance: Castro Swears He Didn't Sandbag American Idol

In his obligatory exit interview Thursday, fallen American Idol contestant Jason Castro told reporters he didn't intentionally sabotage his performance Tuesday night -- despite forgetting the words to a classic Bob Dylan song and online rumors he mouthed the words "don't vote" during the show.

"Yesterday, I wanted to win and the day before," Castro told journalists during a telephone press conference Thursday. "What it came down to is just my inexperience...Once we doubled up on songs, I wasn't really being able to focus. And both my songs we just -- my mind was split, and I just couldn't deliver either/or, and so I think that's what it came down to."

Castro admitted that when he auditioned for Idol, he had only performed live in something like five shows, none lasting longer than 30 minutes. That's a marked difference from the resume of competitors such as Sarasota native Syesha Mercado, who has been singing publicly since she was a child and even appeared on a previous reality TV talent competition, ABC-TV's short-lived The One.

"I'd never even learned a song all the way through, and now trying to learn two in a week has been tough," said Castro, who some critics -- okay, me -- dubbed The New Sanjaya for his obvious lack of vocal skill and performing ability. Still, the singer said he actually told viewers to "Vote" twice during the show, and it just looked like he said "Don't vote."

And he also admitted one other thing: When host Ryan Seacrest noted he looked relieved to be leaving the show Wednesday night, he had a good point.

"I was really starting to fear the week ahead, if I made it," he said. "How was I going to do three songs? I can't even do two right, and with the hometown visit, it was just going to be a lot of work, even though it would have been so much fun....My natural reaction, I just really felt relieved, like the pressure was off."

So the question remains: does it help Idol's reputation that such an inexperienced performer washed out before the final three, or hurt the show that he made it far as he did?

Comments

[victoria Tanseco]

Eric, it"s July 4 here in the Phil. We have been watching the shows of " American Idol" and we had a blast seeing new faces like Jason Castro n David Cook......As to the question you posted, Jason Castro brought a lot of passion n love in the show which we have never seen before...so when he made that mistake of forgetting the Lyrics to his song, it was an honest mistake,,,and should be considered as such.....even if he did not win , he brought his love and carefree attitude to the show which made him so outstanding, he is such a pure and honest soul that it is so hard to find an artist that can sing his heart out like Jason Castro......For me he has won my heart and I will always love him no matter what happens......Someday he will be a force to recon with...good luck to people like you who looks at things only from one part of the spectrum......Jason is like a light in a Dark tunnel........good to know that this guys are still around....!.

[lew]

was that a 3 dredlocks braided into 1,
or was that a crusty loaf hanging off the side of his head. Do they drug test the contestants? I'm over 50 and I know the lyris to both of those songs,just from singing along,does this kid even know the original singer?

[lew]

was that a 3 dredlocks braided into 1,
or was that a crusty loaf hanging off the side of his head. Do they drug test the contestants? I'm over 50 and I know the lyris to both of those songs,just from singing along,does this kid even know the original singer?

[Reality]

Troll on Troll crime, when is it going to end. Cant we all just get along.

[Debbie]

I agree on the popularity contest part. Any contestant (Carly, Michael Johns) who doesn't appear to have a local high school connection can't make it to the end. For example I bet Syesha gets tons of votes from Sarasota and I bet a lot of them are high-school age voters. Not a reflection on how good or bad someone is, just an observation.

[Frank]

Eric, I apologize for reacting the way I did towards Randy, although it was a knee jerk reaction and I was just standing up for myself, there is no room for that type of stuff if you want to engage intelligently and I should have not stooped to Randy's level.
I enjoy reading your blogs and appreciate your educated assesments, yes they are educated. I also appreciate that you take the time to respond to many readers comments personally and interact with what people have to say. I think most of the readers are intelligent and make intelligent contributions, that keeps me coming back as well.

[Dale]

Performing encompasses both what you hear and what you see, Jason went as far as he did because he entertained enough people to get the votes to stay on the show, I won't give you know who anymore exposure (Limp wristed twinkle toes twinkie Rrandasha) but its a sure bet you have never won any popularity contests!

[Eric Deggans]

Hey guys -- let's chill on the personal attacks a it here. The bottom line for me, is that a story is newsworthy on my blog because I say it is.

Folks who don't agree with my newsjudgement can always read other blogs. though I hope they will at least consider my, I think, educated assessment....

[Pete]

It was time for Jason to go home. His versions of 'I Shot The Sheriff' and 'Mr. Tambourine Man' were painful to listen to, and it was unfortunate that he looked like a fool on live TV. Jason seems like a nice kid, but he emits all of the characteristics of a mental lightweight and a slacker. It would be very risky for a record company to invest money on a record contract and expect him to deliver. Heck, he would probably have trouble getting my order right at Checker's!

[Frank]

Mark, thanks for the back up.
It is trolls like Randy that give blogs a bad name. You know the type, he's the guy who criticizes stories online saying " This is not news", yet took the time out to read the story, then took more time to make a sarcastic comment about the story. If he cares so little about Idol, why is he reading a blog about the show then taking the time to make a snarky and sarcastic comment? I think it is Randy who needs a life.
He claims to represent everyone, if he represents anyone, it all the jerks who make useless and pointless comments online.

I would engage you in a battle of wits Randy, but I refuse to confront an unarmed man.

[Mark Jeffries]

Randy:

No matter whether you like it or not, "Idol" is still the most-watched show on television. Please tell us why and how you represent "Everybody," with documented proof.

And what gives you the right to tell people what paths they should follow? Rectal cavity.

[Randy]

Frank,

You may want to reevaluate your life.

Sincerely,
Everybody

[Frank]

Eric, to in answer your question, it just reafirms something I said in a post a few days ago on your blog. Idol is just a popularity contest and it really doesn't matter WHAT the judges say or how bad a performance is at times. American establishes their personal favorites early in the competition and sticks with their favorite through thick and thin. Another phenomenon I never heard you mention is what I like to call "the Daughtry effect". This is when a contestant does extremely well and consistantly gets high praise from all the judges, this results in their fans getting complaceant and not voting and the contestant get booted. I wanted to attribute "the Daughtry effect" to Micheal Johns, but he received some harsh critisizm from Simon in the weeks proceeding his being voted off. Simon didn't like John's final performance of "Dream on" either, so that SHOULD have brought out Johns fans in droves to "protect" him from being voted off. Obviously America didn't like the performance either. I don't know if it "hurt" the reputation of the show that Castro stuck around so long. He did have charm and a few good good inspired early performances. He seemed to become disinterested HIMSELF the farther he went and stopped putting so much effort into what he was doing. If anything, it hurts Castro's chance's in the future of having ANY type of career(acting, musician, songwriter, etc)in the industry.