While we’re not surprised reality show winning singer J. D. Fortune and (old) Aussie rock band INXS are no longer working together, the nature of their break-up is a bit puzzling. You know, like how it’s a bit puzzling that people watch According to Jim or that Clay Aiken has a career – not in any real, universe-enlightening way.
Originally, Fortune – who became the band’s lead singer after winning reality show Rockstar: INXS – claimed the ‘80s also-ran rockers unceremoniously dumped him, in an airport no less. He also mentioned that he was now living out of his car. Ouch.
"I was in an airport in Hong Kong and literally got handshakes that said, 'Thank you very much,' " the 35-year-old told Entertainment Tonight Canada. "I found myself really alone because I had traveled with these guys for 23 months."
Not true, says the band’s creative director and global business strategist, Chris Murphy. (Creative director and global business strategist? They know they’re INXS, right?) "Not only are we shocked by the claims, even the place the supposed incident was to have taken place is a mystery,” Murphy said in a statement to the Melbourne Herald Sun.
"The band have always stated to me that Fortune's services could potentially be contracted again when INXS next tour," the statement continued. "In fact, he was next on my list to call regarding a very big recording project I am putting together for INXS at present. I guess I have no reason to call him now."
Well, that’s pretty convenient, isn’t it, Chris?
In 2005, Fortune replaced original INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, who was discovered hanged in a Sydney, Australia hotel in 1997 after what has been ruled a likely (but inconclusively proved) suicide.
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