MSN TV Blog - Reality TV

'Idol' hopeful comes clean about military service

Long Beach auditioner Matthew Farmer leaves the competition after wowing judges

By MSN TV Feb 4, 2013 8:33AM

'American Idol'/FOXWENN

 

"American Idol" contestant Matthew Farmer has left the competition after he confessed that he lied about his military background during his audition. The Season 12 hopeful impressed the judges during the Long Beach, Calif., auditions, which aired last Wednesday.

 

Bing: More about Matthew Farmer

 

Before going in to sing in front of the panel, the 26-year-old told host Ryan Seacrest that he was a military veteran who suffered a traumatic war injury after hitting an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) in Iraq. Holding his 3-year-old daughter, Cadence, in his arms, he shared that, because of the medicine he was taking as a result from the injuries, it made him sterile and asserted the birth of his daughter was a miracle. Farmer's voice impressed the judges, and he was awarded with the coveted golden ticket to the next round of auditions in Hollywood.

 

Also: Shows guys watch when women aren't looking | 'Smash' Season 2 preview

 

However, after his appearance on the show, a few of the soldiers he served with took to military website Guardian of Valor to reveal Farmer had not only not been in an IED accident but he was also dismissed from the Army for his problems with alcohol abuse. Farmer initially told the website that "Idol" producers encouraged him to lie about his military background, but he has now released a statement admitting he fabricated the entire story.

 

Bing: More about 'American Idol' | Video: Watch clips | Photos: See highlights

 

The statement reads: "It was ALL lies. I in fact HAVE lied since a younger age and had a problem with it... The lies end here... I am EXTREAMLY (sic) remorseful and VERY upset that I allowed myself to take from the hard work of the guys that i was deployed with among others. To think that I would go on a national tv show and get away with continuing a lie so big, and so deeply imbedded in my life and brain… Is rediculous (sic). I was told to keep quiet and not talk to anyone, and I have decided that what’s best for me and my family is to come out and end the insanity... Again I appologize (sic) to everyone that I have come across and hurt or lied too... I at no time was a sniper, was never deployed to Afghanistan, did a single tour in Iraq, and was never at any time hit or wounded by an IED." Fox News has reported that Farmer has left the competition following his confession.

 

"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

< Back to Reality TV
User Picture
Write a comment...
44Comments
SweetKat2
Feb 5, 2013 1:03PM
avatar
It's very sad when a person is so insecure about who and what they are that they have to fabricate stories to make themselves appear larger then life or to try and win sympathy from others.. If anyone is to blame it's our society.. We place far too much value on unimportant things such as fame and money and not enough on honesty and integrity..
Let's face it, folks, when you have shows like Dance Moms and Honey Boo Boo, glorifying vicious, abusive, selfish parents forcing their kids out into the limelight, whether they want to be in it or not, you have a society that simply doesn't give a crap about the next generation and just wants to USE them to get their own 15 minutes of fame!

ChaosTX
Feb 5, 2013 8:44AM
avatar
American Idol?  What is that?  :-)
MIMI2007
Feb 5, 2013 8:39AM
avatar
I knew something was up with that guy the minute I saw him. Kick him off the show or rename the show "American Liars".  This guy, to me, looked like he just got out of "last call" at a bar and was trying to look sober.
bgm67
Feb 5, 2013 8:37AM
avatar
This crap happens all the time, people coming back from a "tour" that never was Near combat situations than claim to be in a convoy that was hit by an IED or that a buddy was killed in front of them etc... It's disgusting.
Roseapple
Feb 5, 2013 8:32AM
avatar
This is very old news.  MSN running out of things to say???
Louise900
Feb 5, 2013 8:23AM
avatar
What a creep! It should be against the law. I married a man who claimed to be a Vietnam war vet. Four years after discovering he lied about that and almost every thing else about his life, I had our marriage annulled.  I didn't need a war hero, just an every day one who was honest. Once on my own I couldn't afford the house we purchased so I lost it and then had to file bankruptcy too. There is something seriously wrong with people who lie about their military status....they are sociopaths!  You may be thinking why did she believe all his lies, she must be stupid. I believed him because he had a good job as a park ranger in San Diego...a job with authority, one of helpfulness of trust with the public. Guess that wasn't good enough for him. He needed to be a fake war hero too. He lied to all his coworkers and the public too. Wish I could have had his **** tossed in jail. These lies have serious consequences for others on the receiving end. It should be against the law! Oh BTW, he's still a park ranger in San Diego. Ladies, if you are with a man who says he's a war hero, ask to see his papers before you marry him. Usually war heros don't brag about it.
Beach baby 00
Feb 5, 2013 8:21AM
avatar
And how many of you believe this show is all about the truth and no one dramatizes anything on this show including the producers? Everyone is so quick to throw this guy off the show because of his lies which, I do not condone at all, yet so many hypocrites out there. I'll bet so many of you support Dan Marino, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tiger Woods. If this guy should be banned from the show then shouldn't these guys all be banned from what they do as well? Aren't they all a bunch of liars as well and in a much worse way? The guy came right out and confessed his lies. Let him make amends.
Osanbat9
Feb 5, 2013 8:21AM
avatar
The show has become a tribute to personalities, both contestants and judges; commercials, frauds, conflict, and scandals.  All this in an attempt to draw in more viewers.  They've forgotten that the singing abilities are what made it a hit in the first place.  If I want all that crap, I'd have watched Oprah or Dr. Phil. 
schmendrick12
Feb 5, 2013 8:18AM
avatar
Did anyone check to see if that is really his daughter?
Retired Army Colonel421
Feb 5, 2013 8:13AM
avatar
Yeah, another doofuss soon to be on public assistance if he isn't already.  You have to drink one hell of lot of alcohol to have a "drinking problem" in the military.  Wasted talent.
jonny jiggles
Feb 5, 2013 8:13AM
avatar
Now I'll be on the walk of shame instead of the walk of fame- I could of been somebody
jonny jiggles
Feb 5, 2013 8:11AM
avatar
I lied but I did it to further my career and its not my fault- it all started when I was a wee lad and me drunk old dad called me a loser and I said to me self right back then I'll prove him wrong- I'll become a famous lad on American Idol- that American show w/the foreign judges- I'll be bigger than anyone and then dad will have to apologize and we'll rekindle our relationship- that's a made-up story
brehon
Feb 5, 2013 8:11AM
avatar
Just as well. With Fame he would have ODed.
lovette
Feb 5, 2013 8:10AM
avatar
Shame, shame, you need prayers, get some!
hype22
Feb 5, 2013 8:01AM
avatar
his staging was impeccable
Dnth8
Feb 5, 2013 8:00AM
avatar
**** like this happens because this show is rigged to pass some crappy singers and some heart stories through the first couple rounds. Get used to it.....yah he made up a **** story to look good. Dont tell me all u naysayers didnt as well. At least he actually did serve in the military which im sure some of the pansies ripping on this guy dont have the balls to do. The alcoholism part is the worst part for him.....wont defend him there, but might want to look and see why he has these problems.....
petemoss685
Feb 5, 2013 7:58AM
avatar
he needs to be a winner!   ( opps, i lied again!)
seriously- toss the bastard off the show!

Doc Roc
Feb 5, 2013 7:57AM
avatar

What did he do wrong?  The Administration struck down the Stolen Valor Act.  The Courts said it was okay for Politicians to lie about their military service in order to get elected.  So he didn't break any laws.  Why make him leave?

 

Oh, that's right...He lied to Ryan Seacrest.  That's what makes this wrong. 

Shmay
Feb 5, 2013 7:46AM
avatar
Too bad, the little daughter is the cutest.
Report
Please help us to maintain a healthy and vibrant community by reporting any illegal or inappropriate behavior. If you believe a message violates theCode of Conductplease use this form to notify the moderators. They will investigate your report and take appropriate action. If necessary, they report all illegal activity to the proper authorities.
Categories
100 character limit
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?