Frank Micelotta/ FOXIt's not exactly the most encouraging piece of information for hopeful contestants to receive on the eve of American Idol's new season.
But word that season nine semifinalist Alex (no relation to Adam) Lambert was homeless lit up the Internet yesterday, thanks to a Twitter rant by no less an authority than Lambert himself.
And this despite not only going far on Idol, but signing a development deal post-show and starring in Simon Fuller's web series If I Can Dream. So is he really as housing-challenged as he let on? Is he one more example of Hollywood chewing up and spitting out young talent? Hold on to your big red plastic Coke cups, this rumor is…
So false!
Yesterday morning, the 20-year-old took to his Twitter page, and let his followers in on his predicament.
"Alright so I didn't want to bring my person life to my fans but I'm about to freak out if I don't tell yall the truth," he wrote.
"Ever since IICD ended I've been kinda homless! Sleepin on the street and behind buildings. I have a choice to stay and persue my career or go back to texas and not do music! I'm usually a strong person but I can't take it anymore."
He didn't stop there, going on to call himself a "poor boy" and saying that he "never had nothing in my life."
"I've been goin to coffee shops and other stores so I can tweet to my snaf! Because to be honest! You guys are all I really have!
"O my goodness yall! I have been crashin behind building and sleepin outside but I don't want nobody to feel sorry for me! I'm a grown ass man."
But despite seeming like a desperate cry for help, it seems that rumors of Lambert's homelessness had been greatly exaggerated…by himself.
After floods of tweets came back to him, and the story gained traction, a rep for XIX Entertainment came out and set the record straight.
"Alex is not homeless," the spokesperson said. "He's been crashing on friends' couches while looking for an apartment, but he's getting a retainer and working on [new music] demos."
Lambert himself copped to as much when he returned to his Twitter page.
"I've had so much help out here in LA! I just want to do things on my own! I have places to stay I just don't want to be a burden on anyone!
"I have money! And soon I will have a place to stay! I just wanted to let yall know! I'm not some rich spoiled kid! That I've had to hustle and grind and I don't mind sleepin on the street as long as I get my chance! Because I will not take it for granted! I hope yall understand. Sorry for the miscommunication ;) I'm just fine! MAHALO!"
Which begs the question, why release the obvious miscommunication in the first place? ("I'm kinda homeless," after all, doesn't leave that much up to interpretation.)
"I know a lot of people think I tweeted my living situation for publicity!" he wrote. "But I don't give a damn about fame!"
Why he then decided to audition to be America's next pop superstar is no doubt a question for another day.