In part one of the Dreadlocked Dude’s official Idolatry interview, he discusses whether or not he received an apology regarding Paulagate, if he treated dress rehearsals as seriously as his televised Idol performances, and why he seemed to lose some of his spark during Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Week. (More Jason footage coming Wednesday and Thursday, but I thought you all might prefer to get these answers sooner, rather than later.)
Update: Here’s part 2 of the interview (focusing on song selection), for those of you who can’t get enough Castro!
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i really like jason’s personality and style and i expect great things from him in the future (perhaps an indie route a la elliot yamin?). but does anyone know — what exactly is jason’s ethnic background/ race? he could be a whole mix of things. either way, he’s fine.
Thank you, Michael!
I still keep listening to his studio version of “Mr. Tambourine Man”. It was so much better than the live performance. It’s too bad he couldn’t have been judged on the studio version.
Thanks for putting this up! I’ve been looking for it all week. He seems like a really nice guy, and I’d listen to him and Brooke before any of the top three. Their real “artists” vibes made this season so much more interesting to watch, personally, since I feel like I’ve heard Syesha et al a million times before.
it was his time to go. but i really love jason – can’t wait to see the next parts of the interview.
I, like you Slezak, found myself disappointed with Jason’s seeming ambivalence last Tuesday. However, with this interview, I understood him and found myself impressed with his line of reasoning. I was a big fan of his on the show and look forward to whatever he comes out with in the future.
I love him.
p.s.
nunya to answer your question Jason Colombian-American.
Gotta love this guy’s laidback honesty…and he’s not even interested in dissing Paula (even though he’d have every right to). It’s just so refreshing to see someone okay with leaving Idol (like Amanda Overmeyer). And he’s way more articulate off the Idol stage, isn’t he?
completely watching this idolotry segment over the “real show” tonight… it just isn’t worth it without looking forward to jason’s songs. he is so gracious and real in interviews, its refreshing to see someone so able to roll with the punches and take enjoyment from the boosts. i’ll be eager to see what comes next from him.
Thanks for giving me something to watch during Idol
I just adore Jason. I was disappointed that he seemed to give up during his last couple of performances, but all his interviews since then seem to explain it. He’s only been singing for a few years and this was overwhelming. I like that he’s so refreshingly honest and laid-back and I just love his demeanor and his voice, of course. Idol lost a lot of its magic for me tonight without him.
Idol was TOTALLY a bore without Jason tonite. Boy do I miss him even if he does flub a little. Those other 3 are so predictable and nothing to get excited over. Tomorrow Syesha will finally get her comeupance and go home. She should have gone last week like I think the voting really went. Whats she have? Like 5 fans? Can’t wait til you post the rest of Jason’s interviews. Much more entertaining than American Idol. This week Syesha will go home and next week Archuletta. Cook is their pic to win and he will.
I think he gave up after ‘memories’. He was sick (u can hear it in his itunes recording) and the judges slammed him. Way to go American idol, I’m glad you’re not going to get your hands on Jason or his fans. That’s what u get if u let a lot of untalented brits pick our idol. They’re best at bitching and underhand manipulating and keeping a couple of American puppets to confuse us. If you watch X Factor you’ll see how much respect they shower on their contestants there.
I just found out that even on popidol these same guys kept dragging the top vote getter (Will Young) in the bottom 3 so he could get pity votes.
He’s given the show some of the best moments – Hallelujah, SOTR, Daydream; some of the best performances- Those cheesey group numbers, ‘I was thinking Bob Marley. Yeah!’, some of the best itunes recordings but the AI machine very consistently treated him the worst. Bad backup, terrible band, lowering his mic volume. Or why was it he sounded the best in group songs? I’m waiting for great thibgs from Jason and I’m sure AI will very quickly step in and claim him as their discovery like they did with JHud.
Thanks, Michael. Please don’t try to cut off his dreads like BORING Tshow hosts – I’m looking at you, Ellen.
i youtubed idol performances tonight (couldn’t sit through a minute of the show w/o jason to look forward to) – i was so irritated to find the judges critique towards david a on his mess of a chris brown song..”way to try something new” “not your best” they were so kindly and it was SO TERRIBLE. jason’s marley blew that out of the water, i just can’t get over the bad taste in my mouth about their blatant double standard. its okay to have favorites, but they should still treat the contestants fairly. i love how jason never awknowledges any of this in interviews, he comes of so much the bigger person. but his fans will vouch for him!!!
God, he’s adorable.
He is so charming and attractive, I’m amazed. And, I agree with mscisluv that he’s much more articulate than his soundbites would lead you to believe. At 10 years older than him, it disturbs me how attractive I find a really young, TV personality. It’s like being 12 again.
It’s great to see all of the positive Jason comments here. He’s been my favorite this season since before I’d even heard him sing, and once I actually heard his voice, I loved him even more. Idol completely flat-lined without him last night, and I can’t wait to see him on the finale.
Thanks for the great interview, Michael. I’ve been captivated by this kid since I first heard him sing. There’s something about his voice and what he brings to the songs that is unique and moving. Hope he stays in music. I’d like to see what he’d do when freed of AI.
Thanks for the great interview, Michael. I’ve been captivated by this kid since I first heard him sing. There’s something about his voice and what he brings to the songs that is unique and moving. Hope he stays in music. I’d like to see what he’d do when freed of AI.
Nice. An interview where you don’t ask how long it took to grow the dreads. Thanks for showing the guy some respect even though you said he disappointed you the last week. Now if in part 3 you let him lay the stoner rumors to rest, I’ll be happy! All the best to Jason in the future.
Thanks so much for this interview. Jason was the only reason I watched Idol because he seemed to be the only genuine thing about the show. After he was voted off last week, I swore I wouldn’t watch. I was however forced to listen as my boyfrined watched and I worked on my computer in the other room. Just as I suspected, last night’s show was a BORE. At the very least, if Jason had a so-so performance, you could expect something real and funny to come out of his mouth. This final three does nothing for me and I think AI cut off its nose to spite its face, by wishing for Jaon’s demise
Jason’s my all-time favorite Idol. It’s been so refreshing to see/hear a performer who’s NOT a polished spotlight-hogging desperate-for-a-speck-of-attention singer but is rather someone different who just loves and wants to create music. That may have hurt Jason on the show, but it will ensure he’s able to attain the kind of music career he wants post-Idol.
Thanks, Slezak, for giving Jason a chance to show what a smart, gracious, and grounded young man he is. He’s impressed me in all of his post-AI interviews with his lack of bitterness or self-importance. I hope he’ll have a long music career ahead of him–I miss his singing, and his engaging presence was dearly missed on last night’s snoozer of a show.
Jason was(for me at least)the brightest light on American Idol this season because despite his relative lack of professional experience compared to the other finalists, he maintained his personal uniqueness and his devotion to the art of music remained evident even when things didn’t go so well. A successful music career surely awaits if he makes that choice for himself.
Thank you for giving Jason the opportunity to answer some substanitive questions about his experience with AI and his reaction to it’s process. I’m hoping that in the third segment, he’ll finally get to address the ugly “stoner” references and perhaps reflect a bit on his Christian faith and tell us how it helped him throughout the competition. Jason has impressed me a truly exceptional young man with a beautiful life ahead of him and the willingness to devote that life to making the world a better place in which to live. May God continue to bless him in his career and all aspects of his journey. He is a gift.
Jason was(for me at least)the brightest light on American Idol this season because despite his relative lack of professional experience compared to the other finalists, he maintained his personal uniqueness and his devotion to the art of music remained evident even when things didn’t go so well. A successful music career surely awaits if he makes that choice for himself.
Thank you for giving Jason the opportunity to answer some substanitive questions about his experience with AI and his reaction to it’s process. I’m hoping that in the third segment, he’ll finally get to address the ugly “stoner” references and perhaps reflect a bit on his Christian faith and tell us how it helped him throughout the competition. Jason has impressed me a truly exceptional young man with a beautiful life ahead of him and the willingness to devote that life to making the world a better place in which to live. May God continue to bless him in his career and all aspects of his journey. He is a gift.
Okay Mr. Slezak, I’m leaving this comment here because I can’t comment on the photo gallery. Love pretty much everything you write, but David Archuleta’s Mariah Carey week son was NOT a Disney song! For shame! It is from the movie “The Prince of Egypt,” which is a DREAMWORKS film, not a Disney one!
thank you slezak for a great interview. brooke and jason were the real deal all season long and will do great post AI. everyone’s tired of the AI machine putting out retreads of past singers. I hope the viewership of AI tanks after this yr. teach’em all a lesson that we, the american ppl are DONE with their pandering ways.
Thank you so much for these interviews. I was very curious as to whether Paula or anyone from Idol had apologized to Jason (the REAL victim) off camera, but it seems that they were too busy trying to find a 10-year-old kid that would call in and remind us that Paula is very nice. Jason may not be angry about it, but I will never watch that show again. I know you were disappointed in Jason, and I think it’s because you still believe in Idol. I don’t blame Jason at all for choosing to leave on his own terms. I applaud him for it. The show is trying too hard to regain credibility after Daughtry’s early exit. I love that Jason took a stand, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that in his live performance he pointed at the judges during “Sheriff,” and that the AI official video was released with that shot replaced by footage from the roof-cam. Jason got the last laugh. The more Idol tries to push their agenda, the more they prove that they have no clue what the American public will buy.
I know most of you here love this guy but it would have been a yawner if he were still in it. Yeah, he’s got a nice voice, he’s different and he’s cute, but he’s not an American Idol. This show is all about big voices and/or big personalities. Always has been, always will be. So if you can’t bring it, so long. The Australian guy and Carly should have rounded out the top 4 sans Jason and Sye. Tough truth but there it is.