While the opening of the show was the same as it was each week, with clips being shown of each of the remaining contestants performing that week's songs. But once that ended, it was a VERY different beginning to the show. Rather than Ben standing there addressing the crowd, the only person shown was Rachelle Martin-Bale, looking hung-over, embarrassed, and deeply shamed.
"Before anything else happens, I wanted to come out here and apologize for my behavior on the last episode. To put it mildly, I had a traumatic memory triggered by one of the song choices, and rather than deal with it like any rational human being, I fell apart, and after trying to leave and being told to go back to my seat, I decided to drink the pain away while still on the air."
She sighed, shaking her head. This was an almost eerie sight for anyone who knew what Rachelle was typically like. Gone was the boisterous, loud, vulgar hurricane of a person. Here instead was a damaged, ashamed, remorseful woman.
"I'm no role model. Never have been. But that last episode... was beyond the kind of behavior even
I typically condone. You know I'm all for drinking for the fun of it. But I always tell people that if you're drinking to numb yourself, or because you feel you
need to... that's when it's time to take a step back. I want to apologize first to the performers. My idiot self took the shine and the spotlight away from your
amazing performances. I'm so proud of the effort all of you put into it this week. I'd also like to apologize to my fellow judges. Giles and Queen Shiklah barely know me, and that put them in a really awkward, uncomfortable situation that there was no excuse for. And Meredith... she's an old friend of mine who put up with me when I was at rock bottom. She stuck by me when people were literally just waiting for the phone to ring to tell them I was dead somewhere. And the way I acted was a slap in the face to her. And I am entirely ashamed of myself."
Hmm. Note there was no apology to Ben, the producer of the show. Perhaps she was aware of what all had happened?
"All I can do is promise you all: you'll never see that again. I will never let my own demons ruin things for other people again. I hope the performers, the audience, and my peers will be able to forgive me, and trust me enough to continue working with me."
After that, the show went about it's typical format, before announcing each of the week's two eliminations. This week, the contestants sent home were Mary Jane Watson, and Lita Todd. Notably, after Lita was eliminated, Ellis Shepherd immediately came out to hug and comfort her new friend, giving her a sweet little kiss on top of the head and audibly telling her she did wonderfully.
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