'Idol' Disqualification: Chris Golightly, Ex-Manager, Simon Cowell Speak
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Devastated Chris said he just wants the spot he earned, his former manager explained the contract mess, and Simon said it was a 'shame' for Chris.

AceShowbiz - It was the case of bad timing that determined Chris Golightly's fate on "American Idol" this season. The unfortunate contestant who got replaced by Tim Urban in the Top 24 has opened up about the real situation that led to his disqualification, saying his former manager e-mailed 19Entertainment and things got lost in the way.

Lawrence Franklin, head of Dream Projects Entertainment, notified 19Entertainment that Chris was under a recording contract with singing group D.R.E.A.M 5. Chris then received an e-mail from the show that he would be disqualified if he was indeed under contract. Chris quickly called Lawrence to remind him that he was off the deal a month before he auditioned for "Idol".

However, Lawrence said to the press that Chris signed a new two-year contract in May 2009, two months before the audition. Nevertheless, Lawrence was ready to release Chris from the contract. "We were prepared to give our own release documents, but after waiting on the attorneys from 19 to send over their paperwork, time kind of ran out for Chris," Lawrence said about the document that was supposed to be on his desk on Friday, February 12.

By the time, "Idol" had arranged Tim to be in the Top 24 and finally aired the announcement on Wednesday, February 17. "This is not fair; I don't know what to do," Chris said in a phone interview with USA Today. Saying he has been leaving 19Entertainment voicemails which never get returned, Chris said he is not yet seeking a legal option. "I don't want nobody getting hurt," he said. "I just want the spot I earned."

The relationship between Lawrence and Chris remains well. "We did want Chris to succeed. We want him to continue. I don't think it's fair how they're doing him," Lawrence said. Chris is also not putting the blame on Lawrence, saying "Lawrence apologized to everybody, and I respect him for that."

19Entertainment has not released a statement yet regarding this mess but Simon Cowell has addressed the situation, saying he hasn't had a clue. "I really, honestly don't have a clue why he's been removed from the competition. I'm guessing it's some sort of technical reason," he said in front of reporters on Thursday, February 18. "It's a shame for him. He needed this opportunity."

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