American Idol Faked A Photo And Illness Of A Contestant, And Never Bothered To Apologize

Summary

• American Idol can bring fame, but not guarantee success, as seen with winner Just Sam's financial struggles.
• Contestant Matt Farmer's fabricated military story led to controversy and accusations of lying by fellow soldiers.
• The show faced other controversies, such as Arthur Gunn's no-show during the season 19 finale.

It is a given, American Idol changes lives. However, the show doesn't guarantee success. Although Just Sam won the show, she can't afford to release music today. In addition, appearing on the show did more harm than good for other contestants, including Matt Farmer.

American Idol has done its best to suppress his name over the years, and it all stems from his controversial bio. He was deemed a soldier that suffered a brain injury in Iraq. Sadly, it was all a lie, one that both Farmer and Idol contributed to in different ways.

Let's recap how it all went down and who caught Farmer in his lie. We'll also include other American Idol controversies from the past.

Matt Farmer Himself Admitted His Military Story Was Made Up By American Idol Producers

We are not quite sure what Matt Famer was thinking, and American Idol as well. Over a decade ago, during season 12, the show completely fabricated a sob story. Farmer told Ryan Seacrest he was serving in Iraq, and suffered a serious injury over an explosion. He told the host, "I just remember waking up in the hospital in Kuwait," he explained. "I was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury." Farmer added that his meds hurt his chance to have children, but he was elated over the birth of his daughter.

Shortly after the episode aired, Farmer revealed it was all a lie...

"Everything you have read is correct. It was ALL lies. I in fact HAVE lied since a younger age and had a problem with it ... I am EXTREAMLY remorseful and VERY upset that I allowed myself to take from the hard work of the guys that i was deployed with among others. To think that I would go on a national tv show and get away with continuing a lie so big, and so deeply imbedded in my lfe [sic] and brain ... Is rediculous [sic]. Hindsight is always 20/20 ... To EVERYONE but more importantly the men I served with, I AM DEEPLY REGRETFUL AND SORRY ... I at no time was a sniper, was never deployed to Afghanistan, did a single tour in Iraq, and was never at any time hit or wounded by an IED."

Mariah Carey called Matt Farmer's performance "heartfelt."

Farmer felt the pressure to clear things up after multiple testimonials on GuardianOfValor.com called him out.

The audition is barely visible today. Clearly, American Idol did their best to remove it across all their platforms. However, they have no explanation as to why, or an apology for the matter. Apologies for the quality of the audition video below.

The story gets that much worse with details emerging as to what Farmer lied about.

Matt Farmer Was Also Called Out By Fellow Soldiers Over His Brain Injury

An overdose of acne medication and alcohol was deemed the real reason for Farmer's brain injury, according to testimonials from The Hollywood Reporter. One of his former roommates wrote, "I was a sniper section leader attached to his company and lived in the same room with him until he was medevaced from Ramadi because he got drunk while he was taking Accutane. He was never involved in one single direct fire engagement, was never wounded, and made up this whole lie to try and make his story sound good to American Idol.”

Matt Farmer performed Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come"

Farmer owned up to his lie, and revealed he was told not to comment and keep quiet over the matter.

“I was told to keep quiet and not talk to anyone, and I have decided that what’s best for me and my family is to come out and end the insanity,” Farmer wrote. “I indeed have many many things to work with and need to get a lot of help doing it. Again I apologize to everyone that I have come across and hurt or lied too.”

Farmer went on to reveal that his comments were all chopped together in a montage, and not what he expected to see. A dark moment for the show and everyone involved.

American Idol Faced Other Controversies, Including Arthur Gunn's No-Show

After 22 seasons, no doubt American Idol has faced controversies with various contestants. Among the recent situations took place with Arthur Gunn. During the season 19 finale, Gunn didn't attend a duet alongside Sheryl Crow. Gunn to Instagram, addressing what had taken place.

“What happened is not much to discuss at this point. It was last minute decision but I couldn’t help but say no cause of some personal morals and values due to unpleasant environmental experiences."

Gunn added about the scandal, “It’s not the show @americanidol to blame, they were there long before nor anyone related to show. … I feel upset about it as much as all you might have, and I’m sorry if I did let down anyone but I felt like all these confrontations didn’t need to happen at the show, so I just had to move on from there, sometimes all we can do is move on!!!”

Arthur Gunn released the album Ojhel, which is out now on all major platforms.