'American Idol's Jermaine Jones lied and used false names, say execs

Published Mar 14 2012, 22:10 GMT  |  By Tom Eames

American Idol's producers have spoken about controversial contestant Jermaine Jones.

The talent show hopeful is rumoured to be leaving the competition in tonight's show (March 14) after bosses discovered he had been charged with two crimes in 2011.



American Idol executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick have spoken out about the incident, saying that had Jones not lied about his background, they could have helped him with his legal problems.

The pair told TMZ that they became concerned after they discovered he had used false names with police.

"There might be other false names and other charges out there that we just don't know about," they said.

They added that legal issues of contestants are often cleared by producers ahead of the programme's live shows, explaining: "We help them where we can in clearing them up."

American Idol's remaining contestants will return for the next live show tonight. Demi Lovato and Daughtry will perform on tomorrow night's results show.

> American Idol Portland auditions live blog featuring Jermaine Jones's first audition

Listen to Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick talking to TMZ below: