Falcon Heene, the 7-year-old ‘balloon boy’ catapulted to infamy after an elaborate media hoax, is reported to be fronting a new boyband alongside his two brothers.
The schoolboy captured the world’s attention in 2009 when his father Richard Heene reported he has been carried away in a homemade helium balloon, leading to a live televised rescue attempt.
But when little Falcon was discovered hiding in the family’s attic the story unravelled, and was eventually exposed as little more than an elaborate hoax.
Now US website Radar Online has reported that Falcon and his brothers Bradford, 11, and nine-year-old Ryo have formed a boyband, with parents Richard and Mayumi on backing vocals.
Family friend and musician Smokey Miles said: “Richard himself plays harmonica, and his wife is a good guitar player too. They are encouraging their boys with the band but they have not come up with a name yet.
“They wanted to call themselves The Balloon Boy Band, but for legal reasons, this would not be permitted, so other names like The Bear Scratch Band are being talked about as well.”
The family have moved from Colarado, where the balloon chase took place, to a new home in Tampa, Florida. Dad Richard has reportedly opened up a business selling bear scratchers for $20 each.
In November 2009 he was sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to attempting to influence a public servant.
His hoax was exposed during a television interview when balloon boy Falcon turned to him and said: “You had said that we did this for a show.”
“Dad Richard has reportedly opened up a business selling bear scratchers for $20 each.” – Do bears need scratching? Do you buy the scratcher for the bear and just leave it in the woods?