‘American Idol’ Star Yoji Asano Deported After Attempted Rape Conviction
This is terrifying. It's been confirmed that American Idol contestant Yoji Asano was deported back to Japan in December after getting charged and convicted with attempted rape.
"Yoji Asano, a citizen and national of Japan, entered the country on a nonimmigrant visa but failed to depart the United States prior to its expiration," Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Rachel Yong Yow told Radar Online. "Asano was convicted of attempted rape in the first degree with forcible compulsion pursuant to a judgement entered on Aug. 10, 2016, in the Supreme Court of the City of New York, County of New York. He was sentenced to six years probation and was required to register as a sex offender. Asano was taken into ICE custody Nov. 1, 2017."
According to the New York Daily News, the incident took place in NYC back in 2014 — when Yoji tried to force himself onto and have sex with a woman he'd been staying with for a few days. He fled her building of residence after she fought him off. The aspiring singer was apprehended and charged with charged with attempted rape and attempted sex abuse — which led to him spending four days at Rikers Island before posting $2,500 cash bail.
Fans may recall his infamous 2011 audition when he sang Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" in front of former judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson — whom he clearly failed to impress, as he was not asked to advance to the next round. Before that, he was impersonating the late Michael Jackson back in his home country — and claimed he was gifted that talent even before he was born. Prior to the incident, Yoji was spotted performing at Amateur Night at the Apollo, where he sang a cover of Chuck Berry’s "Johnny B. Goode."
We are keeping the victim in our thoughts, and if you need support, The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673. You will be connected with a trained staff member in your area. Or visit RAINN.org to chat online one-on-one with a support specialist at any time.
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