*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.
Read the rest of the story at TMZ.
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were they humuliated because they lied when asked the question about their criminal past?
The case they are making is that its against the law in California to ask if they are criminals, even if its true. Again, they are using race as the reason for this case and the only reason they were exploited. I think I am starting to understand racism.
is chris golightly one of michael jackson’s un-natural kids?
Gayle, it’s similar to not being able to stop ‘illegals’ (when it’s clear they are) and ask them their status. Got it now?
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.
And what about the Black female contestant, Frenchie, who was kicked off because she posed topless in her past? Hmm…..
the Race Card I LOve It..
they Dont have anything else..LoL
..they were kicked off because some of the guys LIED about their arrest records and warrants issued for their pick-up and jailed–basically running from the LAW.. in-fact the last guy was running from the warrants issued on his behalf.. and getting on idol was his ticket out of state so he thought.. dumb asses are on TV.. and y’all got warrants and arrest records?
I think Corey(season 2 was the first to get kicked off)- who was messing with Paula behind closed doors..so he thought he was in there for sure to the end on Idol.. and Paula throw him under the bus so he says..when they found that Corey was arrested for domestic violence against his sister and kicked him off for lieing about being arrested..I don’t know if he was convicted for a lesser charge involved..I think he was..and he lied about it all from the start.. basically the interview application..
I think if contestants were arrested ONCE but not convicted.. Idol should let it go..
And isn’t there a statued of limitation with this type of thing?.. Can you sue for something like this YEARS later..
Idol being RACIALLY BIAS against black contestants? NAW.. the last thing the producers and/or any contestant would want is somewhere in the middle of the show’s season.. contestants getting arrested because of warrants..or a pending court case..which could turn against the contestants..not returning to the show..
Do you not get that American Idol isn’t allowed to even ask the question by California law? I doesn’ matter if they lied or not. Now on the race issue…..if they didn’t kick off whote contestants for having a record then race will play a hand in this.
so stupid. I’ve looked at most of American Idol, and african-american male here. Please, just raise your sons to deal with this society better and know where they come from. I don’t see discrimination on this. This is more embarrassment, just like those males that said the Bachelor show was racist, but more of just guys that just didn’t seem to meet up to the standard and then some.
They have a good case. AI could have easily conduct a background check to find out if they had any arrest or convictions, then take actions before they got on the show. That’s pretty suspicious behavior and the motive seems to be ulterior.
But it would leave the naysayers with less to say if they could actually find a non black person who had a background and was allowed to compete. But I figure that this was such a well orchestrated scheme that AI would have eliminated that possibility.
Interesting to note that many African Americans have gone on to be quite successful off AI…Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Reuben Studdard and more…so they need to put away the race card and look at their lives….they are the ones who lived it..
Yo actually?, all the peeps you’ve named?, have been SERVERLY dissed by A.I.! J-Hud’s success has NUTHin to do with that show!, in fact the irony was/is…”A.I.” said she wasn’t “good enough”, Oscar said?,….”comoan down” ! Fantasia was targeted to QUIT the damn show, when they found out she had a child. And Big Rube?, he as THE most fkd over “champ” of all!! HTF does one justify treating the “runner up” better than the fkn winner!!?? WTH “b4″ has number “1″ been eclipse by number “2″!!?? Nevvah, not nevvah!!! But that show “chose” to push the “queen” over the king! Worrrrrrrrd up! So I hope ALL the shyt comes out?, & this is the shyts LAST season! No shame!/Chuuuuuuuch!
The question is at what point do they run the background checks. You can run background check on someone really quickly these days. So is AI doing the background checks then sitting on the info in order to release it at the right time to create buzz? If this is the case, it might not be racial, but it would definitely be unethical. To prove it was racially motivated they would need to show that AI was only running background checks on blacks but not on other groups or show that other groups were not dismissed under the same circumstances.
9 poor silly fools. the lawyer will get the biggest check.
meant to say– 9 silly black fools that will be giving a chunk of the money to their WHITE attorney, james h. freeman.
I question the “employee” perspective. If anything they would have been independent contractors and not subject to laws and regulations for employees.
It’s about FKn tiiiiiiiime! From “minimum camera time, inconsistent criterias, bias judging (the subpar White singers “have potential”, while the Blacks are told…”you have to “bring it now”?…BS!!!!! Biased racist BS!!!! I remember one chick?, (who could sang circles around the Whites they “were” selecting!) was let go, b/c of her…”facial expressions”! WTF!!?? And they should get “J-Hud” hell!!! L. London, that George dude, B.Doolittle!, and last but certainly NOT least?….FANTASIA!!, to testify, in this shyt! This shyt/show (same thang!!) is as rigged as…the 2000/2004 elections, AND the Bachelor/Bachelorette!!! Now y’all KNOW “that’s” some HELLA riggin goin ‘on!!!! Chuuuuuuuch!
They were disqualified because they signed a contract stating they told the truth and they did not. Break a contract or lie in a contract and you pay the consequences. American Idol asks all contestants if they had criminal records not just the black contestants so if you have an issue with that then fine, go for it if there are laws against it but please do not pull the race card. Also if they lied about having other record deals, they also signed contracts stating they did not and they lied about it. Other people have had deals but they didn’t hide it and they were able to stay in the competition. Again the problem is the contestants lying and signing a contract stating they told the truth and they did not. These men need to move on with their lives and accept their consequences for lying in a contract… this lawsuit is ridiculous.
Ya got to lov it. “Haaale no. Racesism.”
This is one tired old story, and its day is about over.
Nobody buys this anymore, get a life and quit blaming others for your own sheeet.