Ex-“Idol” Star Busted
Former American Idol contestant Julia DeMato has hit a low note in her post-reality TV existence.
DeMato, who was a top 10 finalist in season two of the talent competition, was arrested early Saturday in Brookfield, Connecticut, and charged with possessing marijuana and cocaine, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol, according to police reports.
Members of the Brookfield police force became suspicious after seeing DeMato’s SUV pull into the parking lot of a local Mexican restaurant around 2 a.m., more than an hour after the restaurant had closed.
After approaching the would-be crooner, the officers determined DeMato had been drinking and administered a series of field sobriety tests, which she failed.
DeMato, 26, was subsequently arrested and police went on to search her car, turning up two marijuana pipes, a small quantity of marijuana and a small plastic bag that tested positive for cocaine.
The erstwhile Idol competitor was charged with possession of narcotics, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 4 ounces of marijuana.
She was released on $10,000 bail and ordered to appear in court on Dec. 16.
Speaking from her home Saturday night, DeMato claimed that her arrest was a mistake and denied that she was a drug user.
“I am not a drug user,” DeMato told the News-Times of Danbury, Connecticut. “This was just a misunderstanding. It’s going to be taken care of in court and that’s that.”
DeMato, who worked as a hair stylist before appearing on Idol, gave birth to her first child in July, a baby boy she named James Peter.
She and her fiancÈ, electrician Jim Polches, were said to be planning to marry next year.
DeMato’s arrest adds her to a lengthy list of Idol alumni who have run into problems with the law, including, but not limited to: Bo Bice, Corey Clark, Scott Savol, Jaered Andrews and Trenyce.
The next season of the talent contest kicks off on Fox in January.
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