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'American Idol': Todrick Hall in hot water for failed 'Oz' musical
"American Idol" contestant Todrick Hall might be celebrating making it to the Top 24, but others around the U.S. aren't thrilled with his success.It comes down to money that parents claim Hall owes them after the stage production he wrote and directed, "Oz, The Musical" failed, reports The Huffington Post.
The show, which was an update of the classic Oz tale, was a success when it was kept small and used local talent. Proud parents paid $50 to have their kids play munchkins or flying monkeys in local productions of "Oz."
Everything went well enough until the production attempted to use professional actors for the main parts. The subsequent tour failed financially, and Hall wasn't able to line up new backers. Shows either ended abruptly or were never staged when scheduled. Parents whose kids never got a chance to shine on stage were never refunded.
There was no mention of the "Oz" on Hall's Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Hall will next perform on "Idol" on Wednesday (Feb. 24)
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This is the way show business goes. Unless Hall was dumb enough to put it in writing that he would have to compensate said parents in the event of performances being canceled, he shouldn't owe them a dime. People put up money for shows that fail every day, and they never get it back. That's just the risk they take. The fact that their kids were supposed to feature in the show as a result of their payment doesn't make them any more deserving of a financial refund than any other private backer in a similar situation, in my honest opinion.
Sounds right to me. Unless refunds were guaranteed if there were no performances, it was a chance the parents took.
I hope he gets banged, he bangs!
Todrick IS A SCAMMER PERIOD! He is a criminal and has no regard for any one but him self. What dbl fails to understand is that it doesn't matter what was in writing, he still has a horrible attitude to think he didn't need to even attempt to contact the parents or try to discuss anything. Simply skip away from any responsibility what so ever. Just the fact that he would help to organize something without first making sure it was likely to go through makes him irresponsible. Then there are stories that people he said would show, like DeGarmo, had never even been notified.
SORRY. You don't do something like that and play with $75,000 of people's money and simply act like it never happened. Or pin the blame on someone else. And that is exactly what a con artist does. Blame someone else for the messes they create.
And what's this, "that's just the risk they take"? dribble. Fact is when you take other peoples money for a service you don't provide, YOU ARE A SCAMMER! No IFS ands or BUTS. And it can be punishable by law.
Sounds like dbl IS Todrick Hall himself, OR his family writing this garbage.
I have it in writing (from him in an email) that he was going to pay "very soon after December 13th" and yet still have nothing...
American Idol is suppose to be a competition of people that have good character and talent Mr. Hall obviously has a problem with the first part of that. And there are many talented people that make poor choices.
About Todrick Hall… here’s a detailed and very accurate story of what happened, etc. As the director of the show he isn’t/wasn’t financially responsible for it. That’s the producer’s job (it’s how movies and all plays work… and general things in showbiz).
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=9893548
Don't call people scammers unless you know the definition of the word. He was able to do MANY successful versions of the show when he had good backers.
He can't pay people back when he himself didn't get paid for the show.
B, stop making excuses for him. If he was so above board and honest, why are former cast members of Oz (from the 2009 versions) speaking out against him?
And no, he never truly launched a full successful tour. He had a few shows that actually took place. I believe approximately 30 total during 2009. Todrick Hall is responsible for the mess because he was the one who decided to do not one, but two separate shows/legs of a tour with the same shady people. He is shady because he knew they were shady.
And how do we really know he never got paid? His word? Not enough.
The sad part is, Todrick is trying to play the poor me card, and act like he did nothing but, the truth of the matter is, Todrick did make money off these shows, I know for a fact, and if you don't believe me, look at his teeth!
I have been a producer since 2002, the financial responsibility falls on the producer. All of this anger towards someone who has limited input and control of the finances is ill founded. Even if he said he was going to pay, it would have been paid from the producers, if they don't cough up the resources no one gets paid. I don't support scam Artists either but I don't think from what I've read this falls on him. This is why I always tell upcoming Artists & parents, you should never have to pay. Sounds like you've allowed your hurt and dissappointment to turn into anger...it's understandable, but a waste of energy. Look into the producer and hold them accountable.