'American Idol' Producers Never Intended To Block Josiah Leming's Debut Album

Just as I suspected, publicity stunt from Warner Bros. with dying mother in tow. Shame.

'American Idol' Producers Never Intended To Block Josiah Leming's Debut Album (MTV News)

A spokesperson for 19 Entertainment says his contract expired months ago and he's free to release LP.

When MTV News spoke to "American Idol" season-seven contestant Josiah Leming last week in Los Angeles, it was clear that he wasn't going to let any rumors of contract disputes stand in the way. Lucky for the once-homeless singer/songwriter, neither were "Idol" producers.

It all sounded fairly ominous, but it turns out, reports of any legal threats had been greatly exaggerated. Commenting on the Post story for the first time, a spokesperson for 19 Entertainment explained to MTV News that "Idol" contestants are generally required to sign a contract that gives Sony/BMG exclusive rights for a period of three months, but "if the contestant is in danger of losing a recording contract because of that, [19] generally will allow them out of their contract."

In Leming's case, his contract with 19 expired "a few months ago," the spokesperson continued, "so we are not sure what controversy people are talking about." And in an e-mail, the spokesperson told MTV News that "19 Entertainment wishes Josiah the best of luck on his album release."

'American Idol' Producers Never Intended To Block Josiah Leming's Debut Album (MTV News)