Spoiler: Did Michael Castro Make it Past Hollywood?
It’s only a rumor, but…
Click on the jump to hear more.
A poster in the Vote for the Worst forums says Michael Castro, Jason Castro’s little brother, was sent packing during the second round cuts in Hollywood.
This poster has no track record–they could be just someone trolling the forums. But I would not be surprised if it’s true. I’d be shocked to see Michael make it far in the competition.
The producers have a history of casting siblings as fodder. There isn’t a single example of two siblings making it deep into the competition, either together or in separate seasons.
Fantasia’s brother, Rocco Barrino, made it to Hollywood last season and had virtually no screen time during the episode. Simon Cowell mentioned, in passing to an interviewer, that Rocco wasn’t very good…
ETA: Ok, first, a correction. Rocco Barrino did not make it as far as Hollywood. He must have made it as far as the judges, because Simon heard him sing. If he weren’t a sibling, I wonder if he would have made it past the first round
Next, thanks to Tony for reminding me that both the dreaded Brittenum twins from Season 5 made it to the Top 40 that year, before they were disqualified for legal shenanigans. I still think they were fodder. We’ll never know, but if they had lived to move on, I’d bet one of them would have been cut during the Green Mile episode, while the other would have lived to bring his foddery ways to the Top 24. Both of them were given generous screen time for their drama queen antics, not because either could sing very well. Can anyone forget that speech one of them gave when he thought his brother had been cut?
Triplets, twins and siblings too numerous to mention have made their way in front of the judges for their entertainment value. The few who make it to Hollywood, like Shyamali and Sanjaya Malakar and Brooke and Leah Barrettsmith are pitted against each other during the round. In both cases, one sibling was tearfully eliminated first, while the other moved on to the next round–Brooke making it to the Top 40 that year, and Sanjaya eventually into the Top 12.
So You Think You Can Dance is a great example of a TV show that allows siblings to compete because they’re talented, rather than using them purely for backstory. Thanks to Kirsten and Pouncer84 for mentioning that.
I can’t think of one case of siblings who advanced deep into the competition without at least one being fodder.
Posted in Uncategorized
23 Responses to “Spoiler: Did Michael Castro Make it Past Hollywood?”
And all I can say is – good thing Andrew Cook didn’t try out and opted to finish his degree.
Sheesh, siblings fodder? Those AI producers are evil.
And thats the last time anyone will ever hear the name MIchael Castro, ladies and gentlemen.
Who can we direct our rants to now that Nigel is gone?
You might want to fix your headline; you misspelled “Michael.”
Don’t say never… maybe the sister will try when she’s old enough…
The Simons (Fuller and Cowell)? Maybe Ken Warwick.
Actually, I don’t know if Nigel would have been responsible for this sibling bias (if there is one). On his own show (SYTYCD), he seems to love siblings and other assorted relatives. In Season 2, Benji and Heidi competed against each other (cousins – Benji won). The next year, Benji’s sister Lacey made it to final four.
I wouldn’t be surprised either, but in truth I’m sort of glad too. What I’m very scared to see is how the show edits it and the commentary from Simon and company.
Michael will be fine either way. No harm in trying. His MySpace mood was “blissful” before Hollywood Week and it still is. He had a great life before Idol ever happened to any of them and if he didn’t make it to AI Top 24, he will just continue with his life.
According to the AI site, Ricco Barrino did NOT make it to Hollywood last season.
It could be a mistake on the lists (there are a few sometimes), or he dropped out or was disqualified for whatever reason.
I agree gabam. I don’t care that Michael tried out. If this is true, he tried and now he goes back to his regular life at A&M. No big deal. I suspect if there is truth to this somebody will get confirmation this weekend.
hahaha…i forgot about her!!
The Simons (Fuller and Cowell)? Maybe Ken Warwick.
Actually, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know if Nigel would have been responsible for this sibling bias (if there is one). On his own show (SYTYCD), he seems to love siblings and other assorted relatives. In Season 2, Benji and Heidi competed against each other (cousins – Benji won). The next year, Benjià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sister Lacey made it to final four.
Benji, Heidi, & Lacey aren’t the only examples.
Travis (S2) & Danny (S3) – brothers
Stanislav (S2) & Faina (S3) – brother/sister
Anya (S3) & Pasha (S3) – dance partners
Travis (S2), Danny (S3), & Jaime (S3) – same home dance studio
Jamie (S4) & Lacey (S3) – former dance partners
MJ: The Brittenum twins actually made it to the semi-finals of season 5…..although they weren’t competing.
lol
Very true. They were still total fodder though. My guess is that one of them would have been cut during the green mile episode for maximum dramatic effect. Then the other would have brought his foddery ways to the Top 24. But, we’ll never know.
They stuck around as long as they did because they were good TV.
Anyway, I ammeded my post above. I felt like I had to clarify my statements.
I think SYTYCD is a perfect example of a TV show allowing their sibling contestants to compete based on talent, rather than being used to advance some story line.
By “deep into the competition,” I thought you meant top 24. My comment about the twins being in the semi-finals was meant to be just a joke, because Ryan mentioned that they were in the audience during one of the elimination nights.
Just for clarification’s sake: in the Idol world, semi-finals=top 24, right?
lol. I still have that episode
“My spirit *dramatic pause* has been broken.”
Yes.
.
A couple of things to add.
1) Season 3- there were brothers (Ramon and Jesus, I think?)- who both made it into the semi-finals. Of course, they were placed into the same group and both cracked under the pressure.
2) I agree with others that Nigel is definitely not the one responsible for the bias against siblings, and the newly diagnosed- repeater bias. It has always struck me as odd that the judges (and producers) like someone a lot one year and then not at all the next. On SYTYCD, dancers who almost make it one year have a clear advantage for the next season. I thought that was why they changed the rules with the Top 40/50 being able to audition again this year. Maybe that was Nigel’s idea before he left. Without him, Brandon Green, Colton Swon, et al went back to no shot. Nigel- the “good guy?” Eh, who knows…
List updated, now about 60 identified as making Hollywood. (Another 17 identified on IDF, so it is estimated that about 40% of the list has been discovered, assuming it is 100% correct, which it may not be – there were a few mistakes on the Hollywood list last season although the top 24 and top 50 were correct.)
I am so glad that Michael had the courage and conviction to try out. Who cares if his brother was there before him or if a sibling won. It is his life and you should always go for it or you would never know. He will be better for the experience I think. That family seems to be well grounded and happy so if he did not make it I will bet he will be just fine.
I’m sure Beasty Castro will send her daughter to try out as soon as she turns 16.
As far as Michael goes I heard he never wanted to try out and I wouldn’t be surprised if he did it to please his mother. Him being on AI would help promote Jason’s career which is pretty much floundering.
This is sad news. I thought he was going to release a CD in the coming months?
Grammi Kari, Jason’s career is going just fine. He is working on his CD and he has some concerts scheduled.
It’s a shame that people will spread lies about Jason’s family. They are just good, hard working, loving people and supportive parents and siblings.
No one pressured Michael to audition. Michael does what he wants. Jackie has a beautiful voice and a beautiful, loving personality. If she ever tries out for an entertainment show, it will be because she would want to do it.
I only post on here so my frame of reference is not quite large but I have never ever heard anyone refer to mama castro as beasty or a stage mother – wow to that. I dont believe it to be true and Jasons career floundering? It is just about to start – the guy just started singing this year, give him a few, maybe 10 and then lets see. He is taking his time on this cd and not putting out in just a month or what, 10 days as in Kristys. I think that will bode well for him and most definitely for us, his fans.