"Idol" Finalist Dodged Cocaine, Pot Raps (Bo Bice)

The Smoking Gun ^ | APRIL 28, 2005

[Asphalt]

APRIL 28--One of the five remaining "American Idol" finalists was once arrested for felony cocaine possession, but had the charge--and a separate marijuana count--dismissed last year after completing a so-called "diversion program," The Smoking Gun has learned. Harold "Bo" Bice, 29, was busted in June 2001 by Huntsville, Alabama cops and hit with the drug count, a Class C felony, according to the below warrant. He was arrested again in July 2003 near Birmingham and charged with marijuana possession, public intoxication, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records. He pleaded guilty to the latter two misdemeanors in December 2004. The pot charge was dismissed after Bice's successful completion of the same diversion program that covered his prior cocaine bust. In that 2001 case, a District Court preliminary hearing was set for August 29, but when a Huntsville Police Department investigator did not show, Judge Susan Moquin dismissed the Bice case, according to a court docket. But with prosecutors prepared to refile the felony count, Bice later opted to enter a drug diversion program overseen by the district attorney's office, according to Heather Douglas, spokesperson for the Madison County D.A.. Bice formally entered the diversion program in 2003 following his pot arrest, and the two separate drug possession charges were effectively merged and covered by Bice's diversion program, according to a TSG source familiar with the cases (the cocaine charge was bounced on April 28, 2004, and the pot rap was dismissed five months ago). Bice was arrested on the cocaine charge after scoring about 1/2 a gram of the drug from an acquaintance at Huntsville's Silver Dollar strip club, according to a source. If convicted of the felony coke charge, Bice would have faced a maximum of 10 years in jail, though a probationary term would have been more likely. While details of what Bice had to do in the diversion program are confidential, enrollees usually must submit to urine tests, undergo drug counseling, and attend awareness classes. Bice, who worked at the time in a Huntsville bar, is a long-haired rocker whose gritty appearance and performances have stood out from "American Idol"'s usual pop pablum. On Fox Television's "Idol" web site, Bice reports that his "most embarrassing moment" was when he once "fell off stage during a show."

[silent_jonny]

I'd love to know how they decide.

The big no-no apparently is not disclosing your past to the judges. Slingblade says he told the producers everything before the first show aired. But Corey Clark (the sleazeball blabbing about Paula) didn't tell the producers anything--and what pushed him off the show, IIRC, was an outstanding warrant. Oops!

Bo should be okay if he was on the level with everybody up to this point.

[silent_jonny]

judges = producers

[Wolfstar]

So, jonny, do you think another one bites the dust? If they keep falling this way, Carrie just may well run away with it as you and I have hoped.

[EmilyGeiger]

The second season was the best season. Alot of talent in that season.

[Wolfstar]

Kelly Clark...

It's Kelly Clarkson, and she is by far the most successful of the three AI winners. Her first album went double platinum, and her 2nd album is projected to go triple platinum by September. She's had several #1 hits on the Billboard charts, and has been the #1 female pop artist in the nation since last fall. She did a very well-reviewed turn on Saturday Night Live.

She's currently on her first solo tour, playing to sold-out houses across the country. The tour is so successful, that they are extending it this summer after she finishes the initial scheduled dates in May and goes to the UK to promote the release of her album there.

She is so mainstream and considered one of the hottest up-and-coming young artists (just turned 23), that she recently got one of the most coveted advertising gigs -- she's the newest "Got Milk" girl.

Here is an image of the debut ad and some of the copy from the accompanying news release.

In addition, for those who care about such things, Kelly is a practicing Christian who had a cross tattooed on the inside of one of her wrists because, she says, it keeps her humble.

[k2blader]

Nadia and Constantine were both way better than Scott.

Agreed!! Constantine wouldn't have won the title, but he's still 10 times better than Scott, IMNSHO. I heard his band back home landed a contract--wonder if they'll take him back?

I was really bummed about Nadia leaving too. The blonde-haired guy (I forget his name) should've been bumped way before she was. Although his last performance was definitely his best.

[JCRoberts]

Yes, I corrected it at later post. TY

[k2blader]

Very cool. I think Clay and Ruben are also Christians?

[Wolfstar]

Trash someone for being ugly, and those who don't consider themselves 'movie star'-looking often think you are trashing them, too.

I posted virtually the same thing to silent_jonny on the AI thread this morning. I think that's exactly what keeps Scott in the competition.

[Wolfstar]

Bo should be okay if he was on the level with everybody up to this point.

I hope he did. More importantly, I hope he learned his lesson from the bust and has been clean ever since.

[Wolfstar]

I think Clay and Ruben are also Christians?

Yes, I think so. Ruben chose to release a gospel album as his first effort, if I'm not mistaken.

[k2blader]

Hey, I'm not movie-star looking but am not voting for Scott!

Is there really some kind of organized 'vote for the worst' campaign going on out there?

[Xenalyte]

Yes, there is, and I applaud it.

[Xenalyte]

Vonzell? WTF kind of name is VONZELLE?

[k2blader]

Thanks for the link. Why do you applaud it?

[texasflower]

Uh-oh is right. This is not a good thing for Bo. Especially since it's so recent.

[Xenalyte]

Because "American Idol" represents all that is soulless and wrong with corporate pop music.

Plus, I hate the "gospel pop" yodeling style that seems to have infected most of AI's contestants. I never liked Whitney Houston and her ilk, and I really despise young "ladies" who aspire to be Whitney Houston or similar.

[Xenalyte]

It was four years ago.

[texasflower]

That isn't necessary. Why do people think it's okay to call another person ugly?

[k2blader]

Oh.

I just watch Idol for the fun of it and hope the person with the best voice/talent wins. We probably disagree over who has the best voice/talent, but no biggy. :-)

Believe it or not, I'm not a big fan of American music in general. I barely know what's going on in the world of secular pop anymore. We listen to a Christian radio station in the car, but even they seem to have only about 30 songs in rotation.

I like European music a lot better. :-)