Remember that Orange County Christmas Extravaganza we posted about in December? There were a slew of American Idol alums who performed at the charity event including Pia Toscano (S10),Ruben Studdard (S2 winner), Paris Bennett (S5), Elliott Yamin (S5), Tamyra Gray(S1), Jessica Sanchez (S11 runner-up), Ayla Brown (S5 Top 16), and Kris Allen (S8 winner).
Now, season 5 Idol, Elliott Yamin, has put Ron DeShay, the event’s producer, on twitter blast, claiming he owes him and others money. Jessica Sanchez, another performer and Idol alum, confirmed on twitter that she has not been paid either. Elliott hasn’t come right out to confirm that DeShay owes him money for the OC event in particular (here’s a press release announcing the event), but putting all the tweets together, that appears to be the case. Ron DeShay, a former American Idol producer, described the Idols as “like his kids,” during the commercial break for the show.
The event took place at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA on December 23 and aired live on local TV and online streaming. A charity event, the concert partnered with The Jessie Rees Foundation, an organization that aids children with cancer.
Here are Elliott’s colorful tweets:
I need everybody 2 know that former American idol producer Ron Deshay is a lying,cheating crook..he refuses 2pay me 4 a gig I did at Xmas
— Elliott Yamin (@elliottyamin) February 2, 2016
I’ve tried patience,benefit of the doub & professionalism..but all that gets thrown out the window when ur dealin w/a coward like Ron Deshay
— Elliott Yamin (@elliottyamin) February 2, 2016
Jessica confirms she has not been paid either:
— Jessica Sanchez (@JessicaESanchez) February 3, 2016
Elliott claims many have not been paid.
There are at least 20 people who are each owed thousands of dollars..thousands..Ron Deshay is a piece of stool https://t.co/TDU6tz65FR
— Elliott Yamin (@elliottyamin) February 3, 2016
Just in case you aren’t completely positive who Ron DeShay is, Elliott attaches photos to his next two tweets:
This piece of stools name is Ron Deshay/used 2b a producer @AmericanIdol .he owes me & at least 10 others thousands pic.twitter.com/DqSLHjCbUC
— Elliott Yamin (@elliottyamin) February 3, 2016
If you’ve you’ve seen this piece of garbage @RonDeShay tell him to pay me & at least 20 others the thousands he owes pic.twitter.com/drVjED9iFH
— Elliott Yamin (@elliottyamin) February 3, 2016
DeShay has not yet responded to Elliott’s accusations.