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'American Idol''s Mario: Why He Dropped Out

March 14, 2005
America had spoken and the Final 12 finalists in the "American Idol" competition had been selected, leaving NIKKO SMITH, TRAVIS TUCKER, JANAY CASTINE and AMANDA AVILA out in the cold, dashing their "Idol" dreams. But wait! Things are looking up for Nikko, who is back in the competition after MARIO VAZQUEZ dropped out over the weekend for personal reasons.

"I'd like to say it was a very hard decision, lots of things to think about, the friends I made there and how wonderful 'American Idol' has been to me," Mario tells ET.

"It came down to where my intuition kicked in," he says of withdrawing from the hot competition. "I need to focus on personal areas in my life and it meant I couldn't continue."

Although he wants to keep his reasons private, he does address the rumors. "It's stuff that I need to deal with," he says. "It has nothing to do with the family."

Mario says he didn't get a chance to say goodbye to SIMON, PAULA or RANDY but did say farewell to his fellow competitors. "For them it was a shock but they all understand," he says.

And he says once he takes care of his personal issues, it will be back to music for him. "Music -- that's my passion," he says.

Meanwhile, the "Idols" talk about their days on the hit FOX show:

"I just bit it on Monday," admits Travis. "I have done that song a gazillion times. The nerves crept up on me, picked me up and threw me down on the stage. I was like, 'Man, what happened?' I like the song. It was an exciting song. I thought it would give me a chance to show my personality."

The song that Travis likes so much is "Every Little Step I Take." RANDY JACKSON gave him a "D" for pitch, and SIMON COWELL said, "I am not being rude, but that, I thought, was appalling. You came off tonight as a dancer first and a vocalist second. At this point in the competition, it is not good enough." Obviously, America agreed.

Also getting the axe was Janay, one of the youngest women in the competition, who tells ET, "I am going to continue. I am 17 years old, so I am a senior. I will continue my last semester and then I will continue staying in the studio and working out. You've got to look good for the camera."

The final booted "Idol" hopeful was Amanda Avila, who belted out the legendary TINA TURNER's "River Deep Mountain High" to tepid reviews.

"I was a little bummed, but you get up, dust yourself off and keep going," Amanda tells ET of her ousting.

And what did she think of Simon's earlier comment that "I want to be your microphone?"

"Simon is a weirdo and he says whatever comes off the top of his head," says the 23-year-old from Las Vegas, NV. "He meant it as a compliment, but Simon it is a family show! My little sisters are watching. Be more careful next time."

Taken of ETonline.com Television.
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This guy whom ive been hoping and rootin for to win the American Idol decided to dropped out from the competition.

To me,he has the package.the looks.the talent.But well..its his decision.

Nevertheless.i juz hope for the best for him.And may he be more successful than ever.

But wait...doesnt he looks like Wilmer Valderrama of That 70s Show?