PORTLAND, Maine — A Portland drag performer who auditioned for American Idol in Kansas City and expected to be featured on Thursday night’s episode did not appear on the program.
Conor Tubbs, who performs under the name Cherry Lemonade, hosted a viewing party at Portland’s Styxx nightclub Thursday night. According to the Portland Press Herald, Tubbs was surprised when his audition wasn’t aired.
“I had no idea, really,” the Press Herald quotes Tubbs telling attendees at the viewing party. “I wouldn’t have made you come out to Styxx for nothing.”
On Thursday, an “American Idol” spokeswoman wouldn’t confirm whether Tubbs would appear on the program. “He is a part of our Kansas City auditions, which will be shown in the episodes airing tonight and next Wednesday,” Molly O’Gara, an “Idol” spokesperson, told the BDN by email Thursday.
Tubbs had performed the song “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse in front of celebrity judges J.Lo, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr.