9 Black Former ‘AI’ Contestants File Suit Against Show Claiming Racism?
*Well now, this is interesting.
Nine former “American Idol” contestants, who happen to all be black, have hooked up to file a lawsuit against the show.
They claim they were kicked to the curb by “Idol” as part of racist plot to boost ratings.
NY attorney James H. Freeman wrote a letter to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in which he asks for permission to sue “AI”and FOX on behalf of his clients, who have all appeared on the show:
Corey Clark (Season 2), Jaered Andrews (Season 2), Donnie Williams (Season 3), Terrell Brittenum (Season 5), Derrell Brittenum (Season 5), Thomas Daniels (Season 6), Akron Watson (Season 6), Ju’Not Joyner (Season 8) and Chris Golightly (Season 9).
In his letter, Freeman claims he noticed something fishy about “Idol” when Jermaine Jones was kicked off on March 15, 2012. Producers had claimed Jones failed to inform them about multiple outstanding warrants out for his arrest.
Freeman claims he conducted an investigation into the show — and found that producers had only publicly disqualified 9 other people from the show since it first hit the air … and they all happened to be black.
Freeman now alleges that “Idol” has been conducting a “cruel and inhumane” scheme to exploit and humiliate black contestants for ratings.
According to the letter, Freeman believes the annual “scheme” begins during the background check stage of the show — when producers ask wannabe contestants the question — “Have you ever been arrested?”
Freeman claims the question is a violation of CA employment law … and since his clients were essentially applying for “employment” with Idol, the show was FORBIDDEN from asking contestants about their arrest history.
But Freeman claims … the ill-gotten information from the question, coupled with arrest records obtained by private investigators working for Idol, were used to humiliate the black Idol contestants on national TV … and in the process, perpetuated “destructive stereotypes” about black people.
Freeman also claims the show made his clients appear to be “violent criminals, liars and sexual deviants” … when they weren’t.
What’s more … Freeman claims the show has “NEVER once publicly disqualified a white or non-black American Idol contestant in the history of the eleven season production.”
We were kind of skeptical at first upon hearing about the suit, but now that we see where the attorney is headed, he just might be on to something. TMZ spoke to "Idol" honcho Nigel Lythgoe ... who claims he was "shocked" by the "ridiculous" allegations.
He explained, "We treat everybody the same ... no matter the race, religion or sex."
"I think we've always had a fantastic share of talent from contestants both black and white ... I don't think I've ever seen racism at the show."
A rep for FOX declined to comment.
FYI -- "Idol" has had 3 African-American winners in its history -- Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino and Jordin Sparks.
HMMM I’m not sure about the angle here. However, This statement implies that some of the contestants were truthful… and provided some information:
“But Freeman claims … the ill-gotten information from the question, coupled with arrest records obtained by private investigators working for Idol, were used to humiliate the black Idol contestants on national TV … and in the process, perpetuated “destructive stereotypes” about black people.”
Interesting! IDOL uses some rules and not other rules!
Eg. Kelly Clarkston was not technically an amateur. She worked as a singer prior to the show. Maybe she was able to ignore this rule and still maintain her eligibility or the rule is vague… used or not used depending.
Kellie Pickler worked as a stripper… this sent the idol machine into overdrive to hide this! She was one of Simon’s favs.
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