An American soul singer was detained at Sydney airport last week and then deported, after he tried to re-enter the country from New Zealand.
Explaining their decision to throw Mario Norman out, officials stated that he was not a "genuine visitor to Australia" and refused to elaborate further. Norman claims that his deportation was linked to suspicions that he was being paid for performances in Sydney with his duo "Just the Two of Us" - which he denies. But it looks like it may also have had something to do with a fracas involving Norman, a politician and a fast food outlet.
Back in June there was an altercation in the car park of McDonalds in Thornleigh between the 25 year old singer songwriter and State Labour MP - and former NSW Premiership rugby league player - Paul Gibson. The battle of crooner vs bruiser allegedly began when Gibson (fresh from drive-through) drove over Norman's foot (fresh from being tapped at a recording session). Gibson contends that the singer then grabbed him by the throat and threw him against another parked car.
According to a News report, Gibson alleges that Norman used the phrase "that's how we do it in America" as he laid into the politician with a "king hit". But Norman's version of events is rather more mellow "I love my shoes and he ran over my foot and my foot hurt . . . if someone ran over your foot what would you do? You would want an apology. That's how we do it in America, we apologise".
Norman, who had been using his new found fame to promote his CD by serenading courtside journos, was keen to stay in Australia to defend himself against the assault charges. It now seems unlikely that he will be able to sing for the media at his District Court hearing in February.
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Explaining their decision to throw Mario Norman out, officials stated that he was not a "genuine visitor to Australia" and refused to elaborate further. Norman claims that his deportation was linked to suspicions that he was being paid for performances in Sydney with his duo "Just the Two of Us" - which he denies. But it looks like it may also have had something to do with a fracas involving Norman, a politician and a fast food outlet.
Back in June there was an altercation in the car park of McDonalds in Thornleigh between the 25 year old singer songwriter and State Labour MP - and former NSW Premiership rugby league player - Paul Gibson. The battle of crooner vs bruiser allegedly began when Gibson (fresh from drive-through) drove over Norman's foot (fresh from being tapped at a recording session). Gibson contends that the singer then grabbed him by the throat and threw him against another parked car.
According to a News report, Gibson alleges that Norman used the phrase "that's how we do it in America" as he laid into the politician with a "king hit". But Norman's version of events is rather more mellow "I love my shoes and he ran over my foot and my foot hurt . . . if someone ran over your foot what would you do? You would want an apology. That's how we do it in America, we apologise".
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Mario Norman, using his legal troubles to promote his new album. That's how we do it in America. |
Norman, who had been using his new found fame to promote his CD by serenading courtside journos, was keen to stay in Australia to defend himself against the assault charges. It now seems unlikely that he will be able to sing for the media at his District Court hearing in February.