01:01 AM EDT 10/08/2008

Add PEOPLE News

Mario Vazquez

Credit: Kareem Black
Ex-Idol Mario Vazquez Reunites with His Dad | Mario Vazquez

Ex-Idol Mario Vazquez Reunites with His Dad

Originally posted 10/06/2006 08:00AM

Mario Vazquez shocked American Idol fans by dropping out of the competition last year – but weeks earlier, he gave one special viewer a different kind of emotional jolt. After a 16-year separation, Vazquez's father, Mario Rivera, was channel-surfing in his living room when he spotted his son on the show.

Read More

Credit: Stephen Lovekin/WireImage
Mario Vazquez

Mario Vazquez

Originally posted 07/27/2006 06:00AM

Mario Vazquez is best known as the American Idol contestant who quit the show last year as he was heading into the Top 10. Now he's looking to top that experience: The Bronx-bred singer, who's signed to a major label, is releasing his debut album Sept. 12, and until Aug. 19, will be performing at shopping centers across the nation on the Teen People Rock 'N Shop mall tour (on a bill with artists including Fefe Dobson and Ashley Parker Angel). PEOPLE caught up with the 29-year-old Vazquez about why he doesn't regret leaving Idol and why he's not ready to settle down yet.

Read More

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty
Idol Mario Vazquez Signs Record Deal

Idol Mario Vazquez Signs Record Deal

Originally posted 08/18/2005 03:00PM

Mario Vazquez – the 28-year-old New York heartthrob who was favored to win this past season's American Idol until he suddenly dropped out of the competition – has signed with J Records and is working on an album to be executive produced by recording legend Clive Davis, a label rep confirms to PEOPLE.

Read More

Advertisement
Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty
Diddy Set to Sign Idol Dropout Mario?

Diddy Set to Sign Idol Dropout Mario?

Originally posted 03/23/2005 08:30AM

The rumblings are growing even louder that American Idol early retiree Mario Vazquez has a newer, better recording contract in his back pocket – placed there by music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

Read More

Credit: Giulio Marcocchi/Getty
WEEK IN REVIEW: Demi Denies Baby Rumors | Demi Moore

WEEK IN REVIEW: Demi Denies Baby Rumors

Originally posted 03/18/2005 12:00PM

LESS MOORE: Demi Moore spoke out for the first time about persistent tabloid reports that she is pregnant, telling PEOPLE: "The rumors are just that: rumors." While at the New York nightclub Marquee on Wednesday night, Moore, 42, and boyfriend Ashton Kutcher, 27, were the buzz of the VIP section. The couple tried to avoid addressing the baby talk, but when asked about the stories, Moore smiled and said they were "rumors." Moore's rep, Stephen Huvane, has also said: "Having another child is something Demi would like to do, but she cannot at this time say she is pregnant."

Read More

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty
Ex-Idol Mario Hires Clay Aiken's Lawyer

Ex-Idol Mario Hires Clay Aiken's Lawyer

Originally posted 03/18/2005 08:00AM

Despite Mario Vazquez's protests that it wasn't the binding American Idol contract that swayed him to quit the show last weekend – despite being the current season's perceived frontrunner – he has hired high-powered attorney Jess L. Rosen, the same lawyer who helped AI pin-up boy Clay Aiken escape from his ironclad Idol contract, the Associated Press reports.

Read More

Credit: FOX
Mario's Idol Sub Is 'Horrible,' says Simon

Mario's Idol Sub Is 'Horrible,' says Simon

Originally posted 03/17/2005 08:00AM

American Idol aspirant Nikko Smith got his big break when he replaced frontrunner Mario Vazquez – who dropped out of the competition last weekend – but things didn't look so great for the son of baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.

Read More

Credit: FOX
Mario's Idol Mystery Continues

Mario's Idol Mystery Continues

Originally posted 03/16/2005 07:00AM

The curiosity about frontrunner Mario Vazquez and his quitting American Idol continues, just as questions are arising as to when the 27-year-old Bronx crooner's 15 minutes of fame might be over.

Read More

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty
Vazquez Dispels Theories on Quitting Idol

Vazquez Dispels Theories on Quitting Idol

Originally posted 03/15/2005 08:00AM

Even if Mario Vazquez had gone on to win American Idol, he probably couldn't orchestrate as much publicity as he's getting for walking off the show.

Read More

Advertisement
Credit: FOX
Idol Shocker: Contestant Quits

UpdatePosted 03/14/2005 08:00AM

Idol Shocker: Contestant Quits Show

Originally posted 03/13/2005 09:00PM

Mario Vazquez, the 27-year-old New York heartthrob who was picked as a favorite to win this season's American Idol, has unexpectedly dropped out of the competition citing personal reasons, the FOX network announced Sunday.

Read More