Image Credit: Andrew Eccles/Oxygen
This week on Oxygen’s The Glee Project viewers said goodbye to Cameron Mitchell of Fort Worth, Texas, in the most shocking departure so far on the reality series. The 22 year-old, who seemed to be a frontrunner to win the competition, decided to quit the show last night after finding his Christian religion at odds with what the entertainment industry’s demands. “To this day, I still feel good about it,” admits Cameron. “I’m not sitting there going, ‘Oh God! Why did I do that?’” EW talked to Cameron about his friendship with Hannah and Damian, as well as what’s next.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: I’m so sad. That was shocking!
CAMERON MITCHELL: I know. I know. It was sad watching it.
You were my front-runner!
I’m glad I could shock some people I guess.
Are you still with your girlfriend?
Yeah we’re still together.
What did she think of your decision?
Throughout the entire thing, throughtout the whole kiss with Lydnsey, we had talked about that.She’s very cool with it. I don’t know if I made it sound more dramatic than it was but she was very cool with it. Honestly, the whole decision at the end, I had her in mind about the whole kissing thing, but at the same time it was a little more than just the kiss that made me decide to leave.
So what else was it that made you want to leave?
After just being in the bottom three so many weeks in a row, it’s just so mentally draining. It was just awful. After all the things that happened, I looked around and saw Damian, Lyndsey, Alex, Sam, and Hannah and they were doing so well and giving everything. They weren’t afraid to do certain things. For me, I’d never been an actor before. I was home-sick a little bit. I do have faith, but it was also just a decision for me. I just knew the further I got, I was like, ‘You know what this is an amazing opportunity but maybe there’s something else out there? Maybe this is leading to something else? Maybe Glee isn’t exactly for me?’ They said on the show that maybe Cameron is a singer but I don’t know if he’s a singer-actor. That’s one thing that I did struggle with, because I’m not an actor and I’ve never even attempted to act. So all those music videos are me pulling everything out of my butt and I have no idea what I’m doing. So I just slowly started realizing. It was a very peaceful realization. I know they showed me crying and I was upset, but at the same time I was confident in that I knew what I was doing. It wasn’t a gut decision, on the spot.
What was that like when Ryan actually came to the dressing room and almost pleaded with you to stay? Was that intimidating?
It was hard, because I was onstage talking to him and I was like, “Ryan, I think I should go.” And he was like, “No. I think I should make that decision for you.” I was like, “Uh. Okay.” It was crazy because Ryan Murphy is standing up for me and that’s what great. We didn’t end up on bad terms. He was saying, “How much I respect your convictions. That’s very cool of you. Someone your age that’s hard to find.” I’m just saying it takes some balls to say no to Ryan Murphy.
Your cast members were so emotional too. Was that a surprise?
Oh my goodness. Hannah was a hot mess. Me and Hannah are like brother and sister, and me and Damian are like brothers. Me and Damian, it was a little different because at the same time I was leaving but it was kind of like I kind of redeemed him so he was going to go on and fight for me. But me and Hannah it was pure sad. They didn’t show a lot of it but man it was emotional. I found 12 incredible friends. Honestly, that was the hardest thing to walk away from: the friends and the relationships that we had. We were a family.
Which was the hardest challenge? Sexuality? Or the Slushies?
Sexuality was hard not because what they were asking me to do was hard, I mean yeah you have the whole kiss thing. I can be sexy I guess. I honestly have to say the hardest one was the Slushie, physically, mentally. It was terrible. Everyone was like, “Ah you’re such a wimp. It was the same temperature for everybody.” I was like, “Well, I’m sorry, but when your lungs shut down it’s hard to do anything about that.”
What’s next for you?
I have a lot of cool opportunities that I have coming up. The song I sang last week I have on iTunes. It’s called “Love Can Wait.” I’m just sitting and writing music back in my basement.
Where is your basement?
Dallas, Texas. Yeah it’s a horrible basement. I don’t find myself a strong actor and it probably shows but at the same time I wanna work at it. I wanna be in the business. I wanna act. I wanna sing. I wanna dance believe it or not. This isn’t the end for me, it’s just the beginning I like to say.
Follow Tim on Twitter: @EWTimStack
Read more:
Ryan Murphy reveals plans for ‘Glee’ spin-off, which is now on hold
‘Glee Project’ removes Amy Winehouse joke
‘The Glee Project’ Exit Q&A: This week’s eliminated contestant discusses opening up ‘in front of an entire nation’
He was my number one choice from the first episode, so I was really sad to see him go even tho’ I got so frustrated with him for not stepping up to the challenges. It’s acting. It’s not like he was cheating on her. But at his age things can be confusing I guess. I just hope a year from now he doesn’t regret his decision. It was a monumental chance in a lifetime. Why even try out for the show to begin? Actors have to be able to put aside their own feelings. It’s just work. Anyway, I think he’s a cool kid. I totally see him opening for John Mayer some day.
He was one of my favorites too, but I wouldn´t be saying: ¨at his age things can be confusing¨ he´s 22 not 16.
Home-schooled much? The show’s editing on this poor ignorant kid was major kind.
Does it ever say anything about being home-schooled? Just because he actually has standards and doesn’t get knocked off track does NOT make him ignorant. Obviously he’s a bigger man than most people to be willing to put up with nasty opinions from truly ignorant people like you.
Just because the majority of people don’t have the backbone to actually make a choice and stand by it doesn’t mean those who can are ignorant. I think he was smart. He knew he didn’t want to do it and left on his own terms. Maybe you could learn a thing or two from him.
I was hoping that he would at least make it into the top three, but couldn’t he have quit last week. I wanted Marissa to win and they sent her home after only having one bad week.
Seems like such a shame that he gave this up & now he’s decided he wants to act & sing…but more power to him, I suppose.
I just would have liked to see him on Glee. Hot much?!
I (as well as a ton of others) had him tagged as the frontrunner right from the start. But every week he became a bit more dull and annoying to me. He has said he was a fan of the show (Glee) before the competition so he clearly knew what he was getting into. I would have much rather seen him be eliminated then have him quit but I guess he felt his eviction was imminent, and he would rather paint his situation as being a “hero” for sparing Damian from elimination. I dunno why alex is still there, he’s two episodes past his expiration date.
hahaha, well i don’t agree with you about cameron but brother, you are definitely right about alex =P
You are so right!! And it was so wrong for Marissa to be booted off for being pretty.
Cameron was a whiny brat and I was sick of watching him have a meltdown every week. Plus, he wasn’t that great of a singer and he was practically cross-eyed. Blech. Alex gave a GREAT last chance performance last week, probably one of the better ones of the whole show. Marissa was BORING. Don’t you get that they put her in the bottom 3 just to get rid if her because she was so vanilla? As much as I hate to say it, I think Samuel is a lock to win.
Not if Ryan gets final vote – he clearly favors Alex.
Cameron irked me sometimes when he would refuse to do something, but I always found myself liking him again by episode’s end. I think Ryan Murphy was right in saying that showing a more conservative viewpoint is something that they have not yet done well. I am nothing like Cameron and share virtually none of his views, but I think he is a cool guy and am happy he is still pursuing music and acting because, in my opinion, he has a great deal of talent and obviously a lot of fortitude. That’s admirable in any case. I was sad to see one of the best voices go.
The thought I had was that it IS a good thing to write a character with cameron’s intentions and moral code. He’s clearly got a personal faith and belief and Ryan gave him a pass because that storyline was all being written in his head already. He had the win,, if he’d just stopped and thought for ten minutes or shared what Ryan told him, to his mom or gf. I would have liked to see that story be told well. I think Cameron is highly talented and wish him luck with his future career.
Cameron, you were DEFINITELY my number one choice on this show, and Im really glad that you stood up for your morals, im gonna buy ur song for sure! im hideing my identity because i want to!
Cameron’s performance style also got pretty eyeroll-inducing, with his head-bobs and sprite-like footwork. It all came off as “look-at-me-i’m-so-freakin-original” and his constant “I’m-a-christian” reminders didn’t help either.
Cameron was so perfect for Glee. Everyone else seemed to be really similar to a character already on Glee, which can be fine, but Cameron was so original. I wish he would have stayed on the show, but I wish him luck in his future. He’s crazy talented!
No, apparently the only “safe” place for Cameron to work would be Disney World. Nice and chaste, none of that sinful sex type behavior anywhere! But I hear people do sometimes kiss there,so we wouldn’t want I’m-A-Christian Cameron to get too upset by that, would we?
Way to be tolerant and open-minded!
Oh wait, only one group is expected to be tolerant and open-minded. The other side can be as insulting and closed-minded as they want. Got it.
What happened to Cameron reminded me of what happened to the Cheerios
when they stood up to the demands of Sue, to be shot out of cannon. Brittany and the others were forced to quit, and chose not to do something just because they were told they HAD too. So Cameron’s buttons were pushed each episode by the those in power, who knew which ones to press. And they kept AT him. So rather than give in, he stood up for his convictions and bowed out. Now on Glee Mathew Morrison would have stood up for him. Cameron seemed to be what the Glee casts represents, people who are different and give in to pressure, that is until the resolve of the episode shows it’s always better to stand up for your beliefs. He was a real life Glee individual,but sadly without the fairytale ending, after he took a stand.
Give me a break, he wasn’t asked to do anything that the other contenders weren’t asked to do. He had no problem getting graphic with his “dancing” during Like a Virgin, and seemed to have no problem objectifying Hannah with whipped cream (the slow motion of her spraying it in her mouth was borderline soft-core but you didn’t hear her complaining) but then he draws the line at a 5 second closed mouth kiss? Ridiculous publicity mongering.
He wasn’t let go from the show because he took a stand, he chose to leave despite Ryan Murphy essentially begging him to stay. Ryan Murphy did NOT say, “you need to stay, but you absolutely must back down from your convictions.” He was basically telling Cameron he could write with those values in mind. Cameron left for his own reasons. There is nothing here for Matthew Morrison’s character on Glee to defend, Cameron made a choice. End of story. No one was waiting to slushie him or shoot him out of a cannon.
There is a big difference between convictions and hang-ups. Cameron has hang-ups — and he justifies them by hiding behind his cross. His behavior is offensive to actual Christians, most of who undertand that the world is not custom-designed to suit their needs.
As an “actual” Christian, YOUR comment is what offends me. I was in no way offended by Cameron’s behavior whether I agree with it or not. Please stop speaking for the actual Christians, ok?
Talented kid. Ryan clearly liked him and thought he had talent. It must have been difficult to land in the bottom three each week but conversely, that is how Ryan got to really know him. He basically begged him to reconsider. Damian must be so grateful to him that he was spared.
I agree with the poster who mentions that he knew exactly what kind of material he would be presented with before going in, he watches the show. Not to mention he had no problem lifting Lyndsey up and air-humping her during the homework challenge, and spraying whipped cream on Hannahs cleavage like they where in a 9 1/2 weeks remake. As far as I’m concerned his entire pigeon toed quirky shy guy deal was entirely affected and he only went on the show in the first place to try and generate publicity for his music. What a waste of everyones time and a spot that might have gone to someone who really wanted it. I’m sure he’s not a terrible person but I for one am glad he’s out, just wish he would have been eliminated.
I love Damian, so I am glad he made it through. He had some problems with his performance but I can understand that all three of them, again and again in the bottom, are worn out. And frankly, I didn’t think Damian should have been in the bottom but Emily.
The reason for mentioning Damian? Because he was saved because of Cameron. And I think Cameron is cool and a great singer, but not sure about acting. He realized he wasn’t for Glee. He could have made an interesting character but I like how he stood up for himself. He knew what was right for him. I hated how Ryan Murphy was going “how could he quit? Look at all that we are offering.” It isn’t about how much money is on the table (or contracts, etc)- but your values. And Cameron stood up for his values which is the most commendable thing about him. He made the right choice and in the process saved his best friend.
Damian is my favorite, too, so I agree with you there. However, I feel like Ryan Murphy was not being completely honest, I think this moment was scripted by him. I do not believe that Damian was going to be sent home until Cameron “saved” him. I think that made for good television because, let’s face it, the audience has completely turned on Alex, and each and every one of the professionals on this show knows it. Hell, they have turned on Alex, rightfully so, and he would have gone if Cameron hadn’t quit.
right on, ChristineLA. right on… Alex needs to go cause the figures are just not working. meaning, he’s just NOT clicking with the audience anymore. but who am i to judge? so, anyway, Cameron will be surely missed cause, like y’all, i was totally rooting for him to win. he was one great person but sometimes things don’t work out and that’s what he probably realized. so, Cameron i wish you all the best and hope to meet you someday cause you’re amazingly talented!
This was shot in March-April, how could they have known that the audience would anything?
I know it’s probably edited each week but they can’t see the future… I think the producers put Alex in the bottom 3 because they want to hear him sing then find a story to make it fit there reason.
The show is great entertainment but pretty much pure bias. They already know who they liked, etc and kept some on just for the entertainment factor. So Cameron was kept around because they liked him and Alex for entertainment…I bet that Cameron could have completely screwed up (not sure how bad but imagine) and still be kept on because they wanted him to be on it.
I haven’t turned on Alex. Granted, there’s already a super femmey gay guy on the show so Alex doesn’t really have a shot but his voice is wonderful.
So glad you did whats right
Keep on writing your music, and keep on being an amazing singer! I’m waiting for your name in lights.
I am still dumbfounded by this. Did he not know where he WAS? Dis he not know WHAT he was auditioning for? Having morals is great…but it’s a bit absurd to be surprised you get stung when your wacking a hornet’s nest with a stick.
I agree. Cameron was my favorite. In then end though I think he felt more beat down than the sexuality thing. I mean he acted totally sexy in everything except the kiss. I think the word “sexuality” got in his head too much. I the past weeks Damien has really grown on me, so I hope he wins now. And Alex has got to go. Such a bad attitude!
There is a difference between saying that you are okay with doing things, like kissing people, and actually doing said things. Cameron just didn’t realize that he was going to get so hung up.