Yesternight at the Round-Up Saloon, 10 vocalists and three singing groups made it through to the Voice of Pride finals. Dallas Tavern Guild Executive Director Michael Doughman said this is probably the best crop of talent to come through VOP, and he was pretty much on target. As one of the judges, it was tough to whittle the list down to 10.
Five groups competed, but Steelos, AMPH (pronounced “amp”) and Spare Parts made the cut and will compete Aug. 14 in the finals at the Rose Room.
The 10 singers to move on were Dru Rivera, Angie Landers, Joel Canales, Vanessa Guzman, Juliana Jeffery, Blake Askew, Steven Patterson, Carlos Saenz, Christine Pradia, Kristen Philips. They ranged from classic rock to American standards and everything in between. Just like last year, the field is split evenly with five ladies and five gentlemen advancing.
Perhaps a surprise to some — and definitely to his fan club on hand (with T-shirts) — was the omission of Robert Olivas. Having been named a finalist the last two years, Olivas’ supporters were brought to tears by him not advancing. However, he does still get to compete with Angie Landers as Spare Parts in the group category, and with a solid performance last night, they could be the one to beat.
Now a note to the contestants: I get it – black is slimming and easy, but after the first, oh, like 10, it got really tiresome. Color isn’t a bad thing. Don’t be afraid of it. Or bedazzle the heck out of those black shirts and pants.
There were some pretty great voices and personalities on stage last night, along with host Victoria Weston, pictured, but dare I say this couple stole the show during the tallying of scores? They pretty much got a 10 from everybody. When they guy pulled her hair (I KNOW!), and dropped her to the floor only to catch her it was better than anything on Dancing With the Stars. I’m hoping fellow judge Gary Floyd will share some of the video he caught of the two wowing us during Donna Summer’s “Last Dance.”
I wore all white to off set the contestants’ black outfits. And in the interest of all, I did not sing. 🙂
The talent was RIDICULOUS!! of course that was a good ridiculous, not a “is he really wearing THAT?!” Ridiculous.
Eventhough two of my friends didn’t make it to finals, i will agree that the talent was exceptional last night. That couple dancing at the end was so entertaining and one of the highlights for me. I know from what i hear that robert o is popular but i wasnt completely shocked that he didnt make it through. Don’t get me wrong, he was good but he wasnt as polished as the other singers who made it through. The talent was so good, that i might actually go to final night.
Yay!!! Congrats Angie-Robert and Amy-Melissa ( and everyone else, of course)! I have such talented friends! Sorry I’m lame and didn’t make it to semis, but I’ll be there for finals!!!!! I’m excited! Weeee
I applaud the contestants that made it thru to the finals..I am so relieved that the judging was not based on popularity but actual talent! dare I say that there were a few contestants ( that did not make it thru) that got a reality check for a change..altho they might be stars at a local karaoke show and they waste no time letting everyone know how big a star they think they are, there is alot more to showmanship than just standing there singing! sometimes it pays to be humble!
Katherine…i don’t think it’s necessary to criticize anyone. The results are in, the talent was great however, the writer of this article was one of the judges….so leave the “stone throwing” out. Everyone knows who you were rooting for. He’s been to finals 3 times, placed in the top 5 consistantly and sung at Lee Park….I think the guy knows what he’s doing……do you?
Congratulations to all the finalist. You guys did an amazing job!! Randy….I don’t believe Katherine’s comment was criticizing at all. The author of the article brought up that contestants name and she is simply commenting on it. There’s nothing wrong with saying that he is good but not as polished as the other finalist.
Ok, I’m not gonna turn into a repeat poster, but I just wanna say that VoP talent is crazy-good. Things may not always turn out the way you hoped, but just support the people who made it. Everyone works super hard. I know it’s real easy to sit back and throw stones, but even to make it to the semis is a real honor. Everyone should be real proud. I know that’s more J Lo, and less Cowell, but it’s true. I know I dont know most of this year’s finalists, but congrats to everyone. Good luck, darlings!
WOW…what an emotional night…and then on the same note what a boring night!! I was so looking foward to hearing some gud music and singers…but what i personally got was the same songs i already heard some of the contestants do. YES it was very shocking to not see Robert O make it to finals as a solo act. He worked the stage and crowd…am I biased because im friends wit him…NO…Robert has a raw talent and his past success proves that!!
FIRST AND FOREMOST….CONGRATULATIONS to all of the finalists both in the solo and group categories…I really like the ARTICLE about the semi’s ….HOWEVER…not the commentary…KATHERINE…really? It wasn’t enough for Robert O to have not made it through…WHICH SHOCKED THE MAJORITY of the crowd that was there….but, do you have to kick him in the nutz publicly? I’ve been following the VOP now for years….and I appreciate HIM. Ask anyone that’s been around this wonderful competition and THEY will tell you that we felt like this was his year!! A REAL singer CHALLENGES him/herself to learn NEW MATERIAL. I’ve never seen him compete the same song twice. This man has heart, gives back all he can to his community by VOLUNTEERING and actually participating IN THE COMMUNITY by donating his incredible talent. No one wants to say it , but…POLISHED? The reason some of the contestants seemed polished is because THEY SING THE SAME SONG YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR. Funny how these polished people appear only once a year…..that’s when a PAY OFF is being waved in their face. Sorry, but ….Faith Hill girl and Marc Anthony dude…you need some FRESH MATERIAL. The DTG appoints the SAME judges over and over again…they might remember this. The author obviously was throwing a shout out to Robert O and his fans. Maybe he felt compelled to do so for a reason… This isn’t a popularity contest at all…it’s a singing contest. His “fans” follow him EVERYWHERE because they BELIEVE in what he’s doing. So he didn’t make it….don’t publicly humiliate this wonderful person AGAIN!! Don’
t you think the omission was enough? He helps and helps and helps. Perhaps the finalists should emmulate and help out the community that’s dishing out the $7k payoff. VOLUNTEER….make an appearance more than once a year..do some good in the hood. Many in this same community feels as if there is a conspiracy around the DTG based on the events of last year. Angie Landers and Robert O are a POWERHOUSE. It seems strange to us that the DTG compiles the scores…not the judges. They have the ability to dictate who makes it on to the next round. Let’s not have Angie and Robert in the top 10 and win 1st and 2nd AND the group category to sweep it all like last year? Don’t you think that they are aware of this and don’t need the negativity surrounding last year? So, Katherine, we realize that you have a right to VOICE your opinion. However…someone with class should know when to keep their mouth SHUT!!
go get em’ Angie…SPARE PARTS…kick some A@#!!
I totally agree! So sick of hearing about Robert O. He is a good singer but if you go to the Round Up, I mean don’t you really get tired of hearing him sing? I sure am therefore, I don’t go to karaoke there anymore. It seems like they finally got it right. I used to hear it was all politics and might still be. It used to always be someone from RU who would win & I think again it was all political. Seems like they’re trying to prove something different this year but I do agree, the talented who are going to the finals were super great! The best may I say! No I wasn’t disappointed when Robert O didn’t make it!
it’ll be the same as every other year – saying it’s not a popularity contest is wrong…it is, always has been, always will be.
Ren… You should get all of your facts before you try to call out any of these contestants! Robert O performed life is a highway at finals in 2009 so maybe you should tell him to get some “fresh material”. Regarding katherines comment, she specifically said he was good, and I thought the comment was appropriate and tasteful. As far as all the conspiracy theories..PLEASE! I know u are friends with him but why can’t u just be a gracious loser! He is still going to finals! I wish this page had been about congratulating the amazing 10 finalist who did make it and not a pity party for Robert O.
Ren are you serios?? Robert o has never placed higher than 4th place at voice of pride so I’m confused as to why you feel he was a shoe in to win voice of pride or even make it to finals. Volunteer more? What does that have to do with voice of pride. This is a vocal competition. I’ve seen the majority of the top ten out and about in the community all the time and I believe a few of them even live in the gayborhood, so what are u talking about?! This is the problem with Robert o and his “fan club”, they walk in there like they’ve already won! Just because he works at the roundup and is out everynight doesn’t mean he deserves a spot in the top 10. Katherines comment is correct. He is good. He’s a good karaoke singer but his vocals were no where near the top 10 vocals. There are no conspiracies here. The bottom line is that he just didn’t have the scores to get into the top 10. Let’s all just move on and start celebrating the 10 who did make it.
LOL. I got an email to come look at the comments and as always, you all do not disappoint! Everyone was good. They wouldn’t have made it to semi-finals if they weren’t good. Please remember that the singers do read these comments (eh-hem me included), so while its great to encourage those that didnt make it, let’s not tear them down either. And on a side note — Melissa and I actually go by AHMP. Although after this one — we think AMPH is alot funnier 🙂 Congrats everyone and for those that didnt make it, you guys rocked it! Keep up the good work and I hope to see some of you out at karaoke throughout the year because karaoke is fun. Especially when I have contributed a lot of my paycheck to the community’s establishments while singing said karaoke 😉
ugh, and cue the Robert O. fan club….*rolls eyes*. They were brought to tears? Really…? LOL oh lord. He still has a chance with his duet which is more than the other contestants even get. Just because majority figured he would be a shoe in doesn’t mean he deserves to advance. There were far better singers that rightfully so did advance, and some that didn’t. No conspiracies, no hidden agendas, just scores. Even though I am not a fan of Robert O, he deserves congratulations for making it through the duet round. As all the contestants do, the ones who got through and the ones who didnt. Having courage to initially audition is enough to get a congratulations from me.
Sick to Death hearing about Robert O! He is an average singer at best! No one outside of the gayborhood ever even heard of him! He has auditioned for everything from main stream karaoke competitions to Americas got Talent ! There is a reason he never made it thru on those competitions.. He has no voice control and screams out every song he sings and his stage presentation is ok at best…you can find singers with more talent at any local karaoke show!!Llet’s make way for some new talent this year and move on past Robert O and his Fan club…. Shame they never mentioned any of the other singers that did not mke it thru.. and they say it isn’t political….
Robert O + his fan club = sore losers. Every year it’s the same damn thing with them. Robert didn’t win because of this, it’s not fair, the tavern guild is out to get him. It couldn’t possibly be because he screamed his song, was off key some of the time, and made a random speech in the middle of his song. It couldnt be because of that, right?? It has to be a conspiracy! Spare me!! Robert O’s “fan club” needs to stop whining. The results are in and final. Give the spotlight back to the top 10 contestants, which is where it belongs! They were amazing and they earned their spots! Congratulations to all of the top 10 finalists!!!!!
Just a couple of quick notes based on some of the above comments.
This was my first time as a judge for Voice of Pride.
Also, I only brought up Robert O. based on his previous top finishes in the finals the past two years, not for any reason of favoritism. Plus, I happened to notice his fan club in their t-shirts and their reactions after.
Can we start over? Takesee Backsees? 😛
First off, I want to congratulate all contestants on making it to Semi-finals, that alone is not an easy task. To those giving criticism, keep that in mind. To those who made it on to the final round, also congratulations, you worked hard, put your best foot forward and showed the community why you deserved to be on that stage. Special Congratulations to Kristen Phillips, Drew Rivera, and Vanessa Guzman, three people I helped convince into competing this year. And to my girls Amy Parker and Melissa Hubenak, who I coached last year and gave advice to this year, congrats! I am so very proud of how far all of you have come in this competition, but mainly, I am proud of how you have grown as people and as entertainers. I push and encourage you because I think you can make a difference. Prove me right! To the rest of you, again, congratulations, I love you all, knock em dead!
Now to why I logged on today…
I think it’s wrong for people to discredit or to speak ill of the people who try-out in this competition. It really breaks my heart to see people turning on their fellow man because of what? The results of a judging panel?! Ladies and gentlemen of the LGBT community, the first thing you need to recognize in all of this is that the contestants in this competition were not chosen to build ratings like a tv show, they were not recruited, they had to try out. Keyword TRY, they were asked to bring to the stage an inspiring piece of music and perform it and look good doing it. The purpose of this competition is not about bashing someone else into the ground to make yourself look better, it’s about accepting one another for who we are, and lifting up each-other along the way. As a contestant, it’s about looking at those people who stand next to you at the end of the night before the results, and looking to your left and right, knowing that everyone there stood tall, sang loud, and worked hard to fight for the same thing. It’s about recognition for the hard work that we do and respecting everyone in the LGBT community and our brothers and sisters in the straight community. It’s about being The Voice of Pride, a title that is an honor to hold that deserves respect. To those of you who would discredit or speak ill of those who TRIED their best to EARN that title, you dishonor yourself and the friends you are trying to defend. I am not telling you not to support your friends, I am simply asking you not to be cruel and not to bully, we as a community have to face an entire world of that every day. We don’t need to do it to each-other.
Who’s Robert O?
I need a tissue Mr. Way and I don’t have make up are work darn you! You get my vote for the Congeniality Award. And as always, you are an amazing person and singer. This community is lucky to have you and I am lucky to be your friend.
Congratulations to Dru Rivera, Angie Landers, Joel Canales, Vanessa Guzman, Juliana Jeffery, Blake Askew, Steven Patterson, Carlos Saenz, Christine Pradia and Kristen Philips. You guys did awesome!! You had the strongest performances on Sunday night and i can’t wait to see you throw down at finals! Congratulations again!!
First and foremost, I wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to all of the top 10 finalists. You were ALL fantastic. For those of us that didn’t make it, you were ALL fantastic. It is an honor and a privelege to have made it this far. I wanted to say something publicly so that I can clear the air. To my friends that support me, thank you. I have the greatest friends in the world. It isn’t necessary to feel as if you have to defend me but I do appreciate the idea. For those of you that insist on hating on me publicly, thank you too. You only make me stronger. I will ask my friends to refrain from posting anything negatively. I can guarantee you that no one in my immediate best friends circle have posted anything negatively and I applaude you for that. I know a lot of people and eventhough you may have posted what you did to make me feel better, it isn’t necessary and just makes things worse so again, it isn’t necessary my friends. I try to remain a positive person, a good person and I enjoy singing.
The VOP is an awesome event and I’ve met some incredible people throughout these years that truly are and have become the best friends a man could hope for. The idea of Voice of Pride, for me is about coming together as a community to showcase some of the finest talent we have in this very same community. The commarederie is the most important thing in it for me. Sure, I’d like to win someday and if it’s meant to be then it will be. Until then, I’ll keep on trying, i’ll keep on singing believing that we can come together as a community and do some really great things for people that need it. Opinions are simply just that, opinions. The comments about me, whatever. Haters, just keep on hating. I don’t have the time nor the desire to feed into your comments. I truly wish that we could all just focus this kind of energy into something positive. We could best focus this kind of time and energy into something we could truly feel proud of. PRIDE, it means something to me and it does for a lot of us that live and work in this community. Let’s stop the bickering and embrace an idea that requires us to help oneahother up, not out. A hand up is always more endearing than helping someone ‘out’. Imagine the truly wonderful things we could do for our community that could impact generations. I mean, isn’t that what the man upstairs intended in the first place? The Voice of Pride is a fantastic event and I look forward to it every year. We, all of us, will always have our critics. This is just human nature. The choice is ours to rise above and do the best we can with what we have. Working together for a common good not only would get us there faster and it would make it one hell of an interesting journey. Peace and love to all. I’ll see you next year.
Couldn’t have said it better, Robert! By the way, be sure to bring your bedazzler on the 14th! Yall are gonna do great!
There’s a reason I don’t liek to get involved but I have to this time:
Please leave all the negativety out and to yourselves. From what I heard & the folks I know, all, I am sure did very well including Robert O. I agree with what Robert is saying. I have no clue why anyone had to post anything negative here or maybe it’s because you all are jealous, envious or he has done something wrong to you and you dwell on that (bitter). Everyone who didn’t make it through to the finals I applaud you for trying. Where were all the people who didn’t enter the contest besides here posting negative comments. Folks, it’s for a TITLE in the Dallas LGBT community (& a little bit of $$$), not America’s vote for becoming a celebrity. There are many more talented people who sing even better than those who went thru right here in Dallas who will not compete because of all this drama and negativety you all make this to be. Let those who want to enjoy this competition have fun and appreciate what they do. Don’t try and bring them down to your level. Why is there such hatred in our own little community? Try to focus on helping each other out and push them forward, not backward. Get help!
Robert… It makes no difference to me who makes it to finals and who doesn’t but You have a lot of ownership in what is being said on this page today. You claim to love voice of pride but the truth is, you only love it when its going your way. You have publicly(although you think you are doing it privately) bashed voice of pride and the whole process of voice of pride. You have to realize that as a karaoke host, you come into contact with 100’s upon 100’s of people and the things you say get around and the things your fan club says gets around too.This is a small community. I think some people are just sick of the drama and the whoa is me syndrome. Just show happiness for the people who have progressed in this competition, stop complaining and watch what you say in public. Your actions speak louder than your words right now!!
Richard — I personally know Robert, and he is a very positive person and a sweetheart. He does love VoP, and is sincerely happy for those who made it. I wish everyone would please stop isolating him on here, and tarnishing the very reason people love him. He has a beautiful soul and a lovely voice. Can we please stop the madness on here and actually celebrate everyone’s accomplishments instead of blasting individuals over a singing contest? This is all very unnessesary. Love to all the contestants. That is all.
Richard, if that is your real name….whatever attempt you make to smear me in public will be read by everyone, no doubt your intention. My conscience is clear on the matter. I have an idea of who you are and that your intentions are to make me look bad. That’s ok. This nany nany boo boo crap was left on the playground a long, long time ago. I turned 41 today and blessed to have my life full of wonderful people. It all comes out in the wash. I hear your attempt but, nice try. I’ve supported and continue to support the Dallas Tavern Guild and the organizers of the Voice of Pride. Michael Doughman and David Berryman work their butts off and I certainly don’t have it in me to discredit all of their efforts and try to cause any drama around it. When last I looked, I’m still in pretty good standing. As a karaoke host, yes I meet lots of different people. If my employers thought I was doing a bad job representing myself and them, I guess they would’ve fired me long ago. Funny, my working relationships are all long lasting and that’s all that matters. You’re right Richard, actions do speak louder than words! This will be my last thing to say about the matter ya’ll. I’ve made a lot of business enemies when I came on the scene. Let em sling their sticks and stones but chains and whips excite me. (nanananana)
I am so pumped to see the finals!! As an outsider new to the VOP competition you would think I would be scared to TRY and make it next year…THIS SO MAKES ME WANT TO DO IT EVEN MORE!! I am not the best singer, but its the love of music that makes me want to push myself to at east give VOP a try. I don’t think there has ever been a competition where someone is not happy with results and personal feelings come to play. Drama is not the way to handle any situation. “WE” can all have our blame as to why things happen in life, but just remember, IT HAPPENED!! Dwelling on the what could have’s is only going drive a person nuts, lets focus on the present and future and strive to be the best that we can be. Opinions are great to have, but personal attacks are just childish. All that causes is for something like this to happen. Rich Lopez was simply commenting on the experience he had and what he saw from the event…it was well said and should of been just left alone. Like I said before, I may not be a great singer but i have fun doing it and can’t wait to have my time to try and shine!! Great luck to all that have made it on to the Finals!! It’s your time to shine..so make it BRIGHT!!!
Yes Richard is my real name. My comment was not meant to smear you in anyway so i apologize if my comment came off that way. My comment was meant more as advice. Let me clarify. I have never heard Robert O say anything about a specific individual within the voice of pride organization and i agree that robert is a nice individual. However, I have personally heard you say negative things about the voice of pride competition when the results have not come out in your favor. You may have been venting in frustration but we all know it takes one person to hear you and that one person to tell someone else and so on and so on. That was my point when i said as a karaoke host you come in contact with lots of people and your comments can be misunderstood and so begins the rumors and the rolling of the eyes. Thats why i said to watch what you say in public and the people who are representing you as your fan club should watch what they say too, as to not project you in a negative light. or make you seem like a bad sport.
Congratulations to the finalists! All of you are so talented! This was my first year competing and it was such a pleasure getting to know so many new people. David Barryman, Michael Doughman, and many others deserve much thanks for all their hard work. And thank you to any fellow contestant who told me “it’s okay,” “relax, buddy,” or “try not to throw up onstage.” You all were a big help along the way. There’s a really great group of people in the top 10, and I can’t wait to see who wins!
@steven: im glad to hear you’re excited to compete! This is my first year and its been a great ride. I’ve met tons of nice people and hope to call them my friends. There’s probably a good chance you and I have met, but if not I hope to meet you to enjoy your talent and enthusiasm!
Congrats to all the fabulous people for making it to the semi- finals; which was no easy task! I was is awe of the all the talent that performed! Everyone should be proud of their performances. This was a difficult group to judge as the talent was amazing and I am sure the results were very close. I am looking forward to the finals, as well as next year’s VoP. All of the contestants are wonderful ambassadors to the community and I will continue the role as it is who they are at heart – not just because of a competition. Many wishes to the finalist, and those that didn’t advance, I look forward to seeing/hearing you in the years to come!
@ DRU..thanks and yes if we haven’t met it would be a great pleasure to meet you!! i just want to have fun and do the best i can…would it be great to win..YOU BETCHA, but just being on stage is a rush for me whether its in front of 100 people or 1 person!!
Congrats to all that made it to the semis, and a BIG congrats to the 10 solo and 3 group finalists! I had so much fun competing in the semi-finals (a COMPLETE shock to me when I advanced), and I’ll definitely be trying out again next year. I think it’s awesome that everyone I came in contact with was nothing but supportive and kind with regard to each contestant’s performance. That really struck me as a wonderful tribute to the performing community. I enjoyed everyone’s performance, and literally couldn’t believe the pool of talent. I’d never seen a VOP competition before, so it was all new to me. I will say that, reading the comments here, I can’t help but be reminded of something my parents always used to say to me: “You get out of life, what you put in it. Trash in, trash out.” In the end, I will always support someone who gets up in front of a crowd because it is in them to sing and connect emotionally with others through music. That’s a magical thing, and should always be applauded.
Again, it was a blast competing and performing alongside everyone, and I hope you all, from prelims all the way through semis, try out again next year.
This is my weigh in–First off I want to say congratulations to ALL of my friends who made it through.I’d also like to congratulate my friends who didn’t.It takes ALOT of courage to get up and sing in front of a crowd like the one that was @ semis on Sunday….I think that everyone should stop picking on “Ren” and “Robert O”.She was obviously upset with the results when she wrote that,but it is a free country and she does have a right to her opinion,as do all of you who obviously voiced your opinion about her…As far as Robert’s “fan club” walking in like they’ve already won-I do not think that’s fair…Have you ever been to a concert or watched American Idol? The performers “fans” show them support by wearing tshirts and holding up posters and do all kinds of things to show support to the friends and favorite performers.I don’t think that Robert’s friends are “sore losers” or “whining”…we are just a group of his friends who are always there to show him support and that we believe in him..I think all of you should stop picking on us…..Robert is my best friend,and yes I was wearing a tshirt(just like all of his friends),to show support and let him know we care and we believe in him.Yes we were dissapointed he didn’t get through as a solo,but he will still be in the finals as a duet.Yes there were tears,We are a tight knit bunch of friends and I am a very emotional person(sue me–I’m human–I get teary-eyed sometimes)…In conclusion– I will say one more time congrats to ALL of the finalists,I am very proud of ALL my friends..and to Robert O,who I am very proud of no matter what…And yes I will be @ finals to support my friends,and of course my best friend Robert O,and yes I will be wearing my tshirt & button with the rest of our friends and I will probably have posters and goodies…Don’t you wish you had supportive friends like us who are willing to take alot of heat to show support to our friends?…Good luck to all my friends…& GO “O”!!!!
WHINING & DROOLING The VOP is and probably will always be an awesome event. The amount of and variety of talent which it draws is highly commended. The competition is designed and intended to be about talent directly related to song and performance and duly judged accordingly. It seems though some self appointed individuals choose to demean the event and thus turn it into a “whine” session. Some folks naturally polarize others and because of this they develop a following. This is not a conspiracy but, a natural process. To make light of this process obviously points to some individuals who have no following of any significance and that is a myopic response of no consequence. Those individuals need to wake up and get a real strong whiff of reality. The reality is that the VOP is there for all and to bring a community together. It is not a personal platform for narcissism directed at others to serve their own insecurity. The assumption is that as adults one can and should be objective (not subjective) about matters of talent, competition, personal choices, abilities, creed, color, etc. (are you following this?). Singling out, pointing at, directing unjust criticism are old ploys used by some evil folks historically and is so shallow that it suggests some other force is “welling” up in some individuals to the ridiculous point that one has to wonder is this Dallas? Or, is it just another below average vomitory experience at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth? What do you say to that folks? Is this observation on target or should we delve deeper into those dark areas of low self esteem, insecurity, manifestations of grandeur, and/or lack of appropriate therapy/medication? Folks, the idea is to be positive, “creative” not destructive and prejudice. If anyone has any cognitive development of sort, is is easy to tell when individuals are directing their own inequities at others so they look good in their own pathetic scheme. Who are they trying to convince (themselves maybe)? There is no justification for this kind of behavior associated with the VOP. It stains it, makes it seem like another cheap drama being played out for their own purpose. This is no Jersey Shore or some other LA celeb drama fest. The VOP is not intended to be manipulated like this. The attempt to direct criticism at other individuals because of their following is clearly a stab at some pathologic justification. That behavior is clearly a manifestation of a severe case of fecal encephalopathy. Time to mature some folks. Leave the competition and VOP alone. Go about life in a constructive way. Best RegardsHairy P.S. I will proudly wear my RobertO fan club T-shirt and “No Mamar” button on the day of the finals!