American Idol contestant Matt Farmer lied about military injury, issues statement/apology

Matthew Farmer touched the hearts American Idol viewers earlier this week during the Long Beach, California auditions with his emotional story about how he overcame a devastating war injury he suffered while stationed in Iraq. However, according to a new report containing quotes from several soldiers he had served with, the whole thing is one big lie.

Matt says he suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a roadside bomb explosion, and that he was treated with medication that was supposed to have made him sterile. That turned out to be untrue as Matt now has an adorable three-year-old daughter named Cadence (aka his “Miracle Baby”) who he brought along to the audition.

^ “Pulling inspiration from his daughter, military veteran Matt Farmer auditioned to show her that he “didn’t stop” despite his trials and tribulations. Was his dedication rewarded with a ticket to Hollywood?” – American Idol on Youtube

While having a “Miracle Baby” sure is an endearing story, it doesn’t appear to be true. Guardian of Valor, a website created to expose those who make fraudulent claims about military service, has posted several statements from soldiers that reportedly served with Matt, and they say the situations in which he left Iraq were a far cry from what he claims.

One soldier claiming to be in the same unit as Matt explained, “Farmer was not sent home from being blown up in an IED explosion. He was sent home because he almost killed himself. He was sent home after they found him in seizures from taking unauthorized acne medication while consuming unauthorized alcohol while in Iraq. The medication with which he was referring to that ‘almost made him sterile’ was the acne medication!”

Another soldier wrote, “Matt Farmer is a fraud. He is currently auditioning with American Idol under false pretenses. I served with this person from Dec 2005 until he prematurely left theatre for using banned substances specifically medication not prescribed and alcohol.”

At first, Matt denied all allegtions that his story was false and instead claimed that he was edited incorrectly and the photos used were found by producers, not given from his personal collection. But then, after Guardian of Valor uncovered a damning audio clip, he finally came clean and sent the site this lengthy statement:

Everything you have read is correct. It was ALL lies. I in fact HAVE lied since a younger age and had a problem with it. I am coming out and making a statement (even though I was instructed not to) because i DO want to come clean. Just so everyone knows I’m not reviving any sort of disability for Tbi. Let it also be known that I left country 2.5 months before the rest of the unit came home, I stayed in the army PAST my ETS date and was released from full service (wether active or reserve) in 2009.

I do in fact take FULL responsibility for the actions and words I have said, and know that this will never go away. In NO way was I looking to take from everyone who has served. I started to believe my own lies. And after I believed them… I would catch myself talking like it had happened to me my entire life. To the gentleman above who talked about going to the VA I am doing just that, the “cocktail” u refer to Has been my deterrent for the last couple of years as I feel like when I was medicated while at FT sill and even at Schwinefurt It was never “correct”. Never the less.

The lies end here. I want to base the life I have left on nothing but what is real and genuine and in the here and now. I am EXTREAMLY remorseful and VERY upset that I allowed myself to take from the hard work of the guys that i was deployed with among others. To think that I would go on a national tv show and get away with continuing a lie so big, and so deeply imbedded in my lfe and brain… Is rediculous. Hindsight is always 20/20. The work the blue spader a did overseas was impeccable and I regret that I took from that. To EVERYONE but more importantly the men I served with, I AM DEEPLY REGRETFUL AND SORRY. my road to figuring out how to make a life built on trust starts now. It starts with getting help. And starts with this message.

I was told to keep quiet and not talk to anyone, and I have decided that what’s best for me and my family is to come out and end the insanity. I indeed have many many things to work with and need to get alot of help doing it. Again I appologize to everyone that I have come across and hurt or lied too.

I at no time was a sniper, was never deployed to Afghanistan, did a single tour in Iraq, and was never at any time hit or wounded by an IED

Matt farmer

Matt is no longer a part of American Idol, but it is unclear whether he was disqualified because of the reported lies or if he simply didn’t make the cut.