Aspiring singers hoping to make it big in the music industry often encounter those willing to take advantage of their dreams. Recently, several young artists have come forward with startling allegations against former pop star Danny Fernandes. These individuals claim that the Canadian singer-songwriter, who once enjoyed moderate success in the 2000s, duped them out of thousands of dollars while promising to launch their careers. In this article, we will explore the accusations being leveled against Fernandes and look at what his alleged victims hope to achieve by speaking out about their experiences.
Canadian singer-songwriter Danny Fernandes is at the centre of an investigation by CBC Toronto after he was accused of taking tens of thousands of dollars from musicians who believed he was going to help them launch their careers. According to several aspiring musicians and fans, Fernandes settled the deals and took the money, but the services never materialized, with scheduled meetings with music executives and collaborations never happening, making recordings and videos that weren’t completed or released, ultimately leaving the aspiring artist with an empty wallet and disappointment. CBC Toronto says it obtained text messages, bank documents, and lawsuits that show Fernandes allegedly took over $200,000 from around twelve people. He is then accused of preying on vulnerable individuals looking for a chance to meet him or get a tattoo by him, making them believe he had befriended them before borrowing money, which he never repaid.
Glen Pretty, a 25-year-old aspiring singer from Ingersoll, Ontario, with dreams of performing at Madison Square Garden, thought he had his big break when he responded to a Facebook ad set up by Fernandes offering aspiring artists the chance to record a song with him at $75 an hour. He was told this would also include radio promotion, access to a publicist, photo shoots and a complete package, making it appear as if Fernandes was going to be his mentor. Pretty would say later that Fernandes asked him for a full-service investment of $55k, with the stipulation that $8k went toward promotion, including hiring a manager to have the first song played on the radio. Pretty filed a lawsuit against Fernandes and won, but he is yet to receive any money, despite a recent Superior Court judge order.
Several fans have accused Fernandes of taking advantage of them, either for fulfilling a dream of becoming a star, or for tattoo services he recently started offering. Fernandes had won a Juno nomination in 2010 for breakthrough artist of the year alongside Drake and Justin Bieber with his 2011 song Hit Me Up going platinum. Fernandes’s last single was released in 2021, with his career spanning over fifteen years.
In an email sent to CBC Toronto, Fernandes issued an apology to everyone he “hurt or misled”, claiming drug-use as the main reason for his behaviour. Fernandes has previously opened up about his addiction and time in rehabilitation on podcasts and in online videos.
Fernandes’s lawyer, Amedeo DiCarlo, has reached out to CBC Toronto, asking anyone else who has experienced similar issues with Fernandes to contact DiCarlo with concerns for their situation to be examined. DiCarlo assured the public that the artist is doing everything in his power to recover, as he is reportedly surrounded by support from family and friends.
Fernandes’s behaviour seems to be continuing, even after he revealed to CBC Toronto that he was receiving outpatient care in a rehabilitation facility in early 2021. According to CBC, during this time, he had convinced a Vancouver artist, who had previously paid him for similar unfulfilled musical projects, to send him $18k. There may be more victims of Danny Fernandes, and CBC Toronto is urging anyone with information to come forward.
In conclusion, Danny Fernandes has apologised for his behaviour, blaming drug use, while the CBC Toronto investigation presents evidence that he may have scammed aspiring musicians and fans of tens of thousands of dollars. Fernandes faces a series of accusations that suggest he built trust with vulnerable individuals and then used their money to pay for his addiction. Unfortunately, Fernandes has yet to provide evidence of paying back any of his victims, and it is not yet clear whether they will get justice. CBC is encouraging any more victims to come forward to help get to the truth of the matter.
As the music industry continues to evolve, it’s disheartening to hear stories like the one involving Danny Fernandes and the aspiring singers he allegedly duped out of thousands of dollars. It serves as a harsh reminder that the industry is not always easy to navigate, and it’s important for young artists to be vigilant and cautious with their finances. While it’s uncertain what the outcome of this situation will be, what is certain is that it’s up to all of us to hold those in power accountable for their actions and to support and uplift new voices in the industry. Let’s hope that this serves as a wake-up call and leads to positive change in the industry moving forward.
