STATEMENT FROM SHARON SCHROETER REGARDING BERES BROWN’S DISQUALIFICATION

“Over the 4 weeks since Mr. Beres Brown has been a contestant in the Digicel Rising Stars’ competition, he has displayed behaviour that, in any context, would be considered intolerable. Mr. Brown has been rude, disrespectful, abusive, intolerant, and confrontational. The contestants and members of the Digicel Rising Stars' team felt continuously intimidated by Mr. Brown due to his verbal abuse and threatening behaviour towards fellow contestants, crew members and the Producers.

“Despite numerous warnings since the first week of the live shows, Mr. Brown’s behaviour escalated. By the second week of the live shows the producers had to re-read the relevant sections of the contract that speak to behaviour and decorum with him. At that time he professed that he understood these warnings and knew the consequences if his behaviour continued. Last week (July 25) the decision was initially taken to remove Mr. Brown from the competition but the Digicel Rising Stars team felt that he should have another chance to redeem himself; a chance which he has now squandered.

“The flood of profanity and threatening remarks unleashed by him during rehearsals on Sunday August 1 was unforgiveable and was yet another episode of Mr Brown’s reprehensible behaviour which had been getting worse weekly. His refusal to rehearse directly jeopardized the quality of the production. The producers had to make a decision to protect the contestants, crew members and the show.

“Each contestant signs a contract which outlines various rules that govern conduct while in the competition. Digicel Rising Stars is a family show and each contestant should be an example to the youth of our society. Mr. Brown showed wanton disregard for these rules and regulations and complete disrespect to those within the competition who believed in his talent and those who watch the show and voted for him. He has betrayed the confidence and the hope that was placed in him by many in Jamaica.

“We apologise to those who voted for him last week but this decision was taken in order to secure the safety, both mentally and physically, of the contestants on the show, some of whom are mere teenagers.”

- Sharon Schroeter, Producer, Digicel Rising Stars.

Additional Info:

PLEASE NOTE BELOW THE RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE CONTESTANT CONTRACT WHICH WERE VIOLATED BY MR BROWN.

(f) Any person whom in the opinion of the Production Company arising from their conduct either before or during the Series cannot be relied upon to participate in a responsible manner in the Series.

(g) Any person who in the opinion of the Production Company and given the high profile within the entertainment business likely to be achieved by the participant, and the fact that the participant will be seen as a role model by young people, is likely to bring either the participant or the Series into disrepute. Included in the matters which the Production Company may give consideration to are the use of illegal drugs, excessive consumption of alcohol, persistently rowdy or irresponsible behavior or taking part in any form of inappropriate audio-visual recording or publicity whether prior to or during the Series

- The Production Company’s decision in respect of the qualification criteria set out above shall be absolute, final and conclusive and the Production Company may exercise the right to remove any participant in the Series at any time during the Series if in the opinion of the Production Company the qualification criteria or any of them is not complied with.

CONDUCT DURING THE RECORDING OF AUDITIONS OR LIVE STUDIO SHOWS

All Participants and Bands taking part in the auditions or in the final live studio shows shall conduct themselves in accordance with the directions of the Production Company or the persons appointed by the Production Company including the director of the Series. If in the opinion of the Production Company, a Participant or Band are conducting themselves in any way which adversely affects the recording of the Series, or is unwilling or unable to carry out the instructions of the Production Company or the director of the Series, the Production Company shall be entitled to remove that Participant or Bands from the audition shows or the live studio shows and the Participant or Band so removed, shall if the Production Company so decides, be eliminated from any further consideration as part of the competition comprising the Series. Due to the exigencies of production of the Series and the tight schedule for the recording of the Series, the Production Company shall be entitled to remove a Participant or Band from the Series without prior warning, if in the opinion of the Production Company, the participant or act may adversely affect or interfere with the ongoing production of the Series. The decision of the Production Company in this regard shall be final and binding and there shall be no appeal.