Two years ago, the world was about to witness the arrival of the next Ricky Martin in Season 4 of American Idol. Mario Vazquez was the fan favorite and the judge's delight. Right after the announcement of the Final 12 where he was included, he quit. Vazquez, whose signature hat, smooth dance steps and bright smile made him a favorite of fans and judge Paula Abdul, cited "personal reasons" for his departure but did not elaborate on the specifics.
Confused fans immediately took to the "American Idol" message boards, speculating about Vazquez's reason, which seemed more dubious after he told TV Guide it was for "family reasons" — but then New York's FOX affiliate contacted the singer's mother and she was unaware that her son had left the show.
Recently, Magdaleno Olmos, who was an assistant production accountant for FremantleMedia, the company that produces the show, claims he was harassed by Mario and he says a supervisor “repeatedly threatening to fire” Olmos after he reported the harassment, and was actually fired a few months later. He’s now suing Mario, FOX, FremantleMedia, and others, including 50 as-yet-unnamed people. He wants punitive damages and money for “economic losses, deprivation of civil rights, humiliation, physical anguish, and mental and emotional distress.” It sounds very bad, but what exactly did Mario do? To quote his accuser:
“Vazquez stared lasciviously, smiled lasciviously … and on one occasion followed him into a bathroom … knocked on the door of the plaintiff’s stall and made eye contact through the space in the stall door.” The lawsuit alleges that Vazquez “started to rub his genitals over his pants. Attempting to leave the bathroom, Olmos opened the door of the stall and saw Vazquez standing in front of him with his pants down masturbating.” According to the documents, Vazquez pushed Olmos “further into the stall and continued masturbating with one hand and trying to pull down Olmos’ pants with another hand.” Olmos claims that he tried to “cover his body with his hands” but Vazquez touched his “chest and stomach underneath his shirt, and Olmos’ “genitals” as Vazquez “attempted to unzip” Olmos’ pants. Vazquez then allegedly asked Olmos “if he wanted oral sex.” In the lawsuit, Olmos claims that as he “managed to get out of the stall, and attempted to leave the bathroom,” Vazquez, grabbed his arm “in an effort to stop him.” Vazquez continued to call Olmos to come back as Vazquez “stood in the bathroom with his pants still down.”
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