MSN TV Blog - Reality TV

Is 'American Idol' racist?

Report: Disqualified African-American contestants plan to sue

By Corey Levitan Jan 25, 2013 10:39AM
starpittsburgh.cbslocal.com

Nine disqualified "American Idol" contestants, from various seasons, are banding together to sue the show, according to TMZ, claiming a racist and unlawful plot to bolster ratings.

Corey Clark (Season 2), Jaered Andrews (Season 2), Donnie Williams (Season 3), Terrell and Derrell Brittenum (Season 5), Thomas Daniels (Season 6), Akron Watson (Season 6), Ju'Not Joyner (Season 8) and Chris Golightly (Season 9) were all named in a letter submitted by New York attorney James H. Freeman to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the report says.

 

Bing: More about 'American Idol' | Video: Watch clips | Photos: See highlights

 

In his letter -- the first step toward a lawsuit -- Freeman says he became suspicious of a "cruel and inhumane" conspiracy when Jermaine Jones was booted off "Idol" last year, during Season 11. Producers claim it was because he failed to inform them about outstanding arrest warrants. When he looked into the show, Freeman claims, he found that the only "Idol" contestants ever disqualified (Jones and the nine named above) were all black.

 

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Freeman claims that the question "Have you ever been arrested?" violates California employment law. Information obtained via that illegal question -- and by criminal records discovered by "Idol" private investigators -- is used to humiliate black contestants on TV, which bolsters negative stereotypes as well as ratings.

"Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe had this response for TMZ: "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."

Holes quickly opened in Freeman's claim: According to Zap2It.com, Golightly was disqualified due to a former contract he failed to disclose, not an arrest record. And Joyner merely failed to advance, only claiming that he was booted for balking at the "Idol" contract.

In addition, "Idol" has publicly disqualified two non-black contestants: Delano Cagnolatti, for lying about his age; and Joanna Pacitti, for alleged entertainment connections.

Despite the errors uncovered so far, do you think this claim holds water? Or does it sound like sour grapes from the show's who-never-became-who​ list?

"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

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444Comments
aero123
Feb 4, 2013 12:15PM
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I may be wrong but arent three of the four judges black?
Someone (getsome two)
Jan 30, 2013 12:41PM
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Only in America can someone lye on a offical application and call it race issue,lawyers have de moralize this country and all for some blood money! When you took a oath to defend it did not mean lye,cheat or create a story! Sad!!!!!
blvd364
Jan 29, 2013 11:33AM
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Just read 'The Bell Curve" and you will understand.
willwa
Jan 28, 2013 4:08PM
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WTF didn't Rubin Studdard win this thing a few years ago also Jennifer HUdson did pretty well.

 

these guys are liars and criminals and the lawer is a blood sucking leech. the funny thing is if they ever won the case they wont se a dime of it the only people that make money in these law suits are the lawyers.

the courts need to throuhg these BS suits out instead of allowing tehm to proceed.

 

the should alos impose stiff fines to lawyer who try to bring these suits into court.

 

oh wait i did not get a job because i have a criminal record and lied about it let me sue every company that did not hire me.

 

get a life

jmlord59
Jan 28, 2013 3:20PM
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Seriously?  Could it possibly be because they weren't good enough?  Of course, it's always easier to blame someone else or play the race card than it is to face reality and do something to make it better.  Get off the pity potty and do something positive!

 

The attorney is scum as well.  I wouldn't be surprised if he trolls the internet looking for someone who feels they've been discriminated against because of the color of their skin.  He's just continuing to perpetuate the "you owe me" attitude that is so common.

Lyle Alzado
Jan 28, 2013 2:30PM
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These bone heads were brought up to believe everyone owes them, and if they do not have the skills to win then they should be given handicap points like in golf so they can win.

 

Go soak you heads and shave that scraggly hair off your ugly face.

windycitymick
Jan 28, 2013 1:26PM
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Don't blame the contestants who can't believe that if they lose it just has to be racism. Blame the parasite of an attorney. He's the lawyer type (aren't they all) who will make sure he gets his pound of flesh, and the publicity regardless how ridiculous the lawsuit may be.     
A Sharp
Jan 28, 2013 11:20AM
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A MUSICIANS POINT OF VIEW:

 

When music novices try and sing a song, they want to 'add-lib' the tune by interjecting such a range of 'notes' that it starts to sound worse than a bunch of wild cats with their tails caught in the door (Jennifer Hudson). The rests, the part of the music which there are NO NOTES, are just as important as the whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, thirty-second, notes that are to be played or sung. Also, knowing when to gradually sing louder or gradually softer (crescendo, decrescendo) adds emotion & depth to the piece your trying to sing- it much more than just 'belting out' the tune at the 'top of your lungs'.

 Lastly: Doesn't 'America' , not the judges, pick the winners ?

Bob Shoe
Jan 28, 2013 11:03AM
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Why go to the courts? Just get Jesse and Al to start the public ranting session and those suckas will pay up without attorney fees.
littlefishing
Jan 28, 2013 10:52AM
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there is no black American status,thats a sham to begin with.your either an american ,or your black.The term black american sounds racist to me and opens the door for speculation in itself.Our politicians see fit to look at every detail of color and pin the tail on the black donkey every time
littlefishing
Jan 28, 2013 10:47AM
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when will you people learn?when your black in America rules dont apply,not rules of driving ,not rules of behavior,not rules on a TVshow,if you are subjected to these rules all you have to do is get the other black rule breakers together and cry its because I'm black,sue for millions and your set.Not only should the suit be thrown out but the people in the suit should be charged with a crime along with their attorney. I feel pretty sure this action will grow legs and we'll be hearing about this for a while.
Cybercraig
Jan 28, 2013 10:39AM
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I thought the question on the application;"Have you ever picked cotton?", went a little too far!
CassCass
Jan 28, 2013 9:27AM
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Fantasia.  Jennifer Hudson.  Rubin Studdard.  Those are the only two names I recall but there are a few other ones they bring back for reunion type shows.  Actually, the black women usually had the best, most powerful voices. No one can compare with Kelly!  These jerks had no talent.  Wasn't Justin G-something, the dude against Kelly a mix?  Gimme a break.  If they want another chance at 15 minutes to prove they have no talent, go nuts.  Whatever.  
siharris24
Jan 28, 2013 9:21AM
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I watched that  Idol show they are talking about and I remember that guy,he stunk as a singer,nothing racist about it,I think he was just mad because he was voted off.
Someone (baraako)
Jan 27, 2013 9:23PM
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the entitlement society  s theme song , racism ,no talent?

 racism , 15 minutes of fame over ? racism . none of these losers lost because they were black ,they lost because they werent good enough to win , they were chumped by there lawyer and will soon have their case thrown out ,why ? judge is a racist, just like on idol

Jmac29s
Jan 27, 2013 4:23PM
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What is an African-American anymore?  I'm just as far removed from my Irish ancestors if not less so than many of my Black counterparts... We're all just Americans, you'd hope people would realize that by now.

Ruthevelyn
Jan 27, 2013 4:18PM
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Your reply had nothing to do with my comment.  I merely pointed out that 3 of the American Idol winners so far have been either African-American or biracial.  I could also have mentioned Jennifer Hudson, who didn't win, but jumped to stardom after being a near winner on American Idol.  It seems to me there are just as many black as there are white contestants every year.  Racism certainly does still exist, but I don't see it on American Idol.
chrisakatrace
Jan 27, 2013 12:03PM
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It's not that shocking, since only 13% of Americans are black. Adding blacks to every show is really unrealistic off the US population, but if there is a market for it then someone could just create a show just for blacks, Black American Idol. There is already a black only dating site, black only TV Station, black only Holiday (Kwanzaa), ...  Amazing how there is a market for these racist products/events.
fastedd42
Jan 27, 2013 11:16AM
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Actually to the person who replied with their dribble I am a Native-American and as I said if you would have read my last post you would have noticed that I said "show me where Africa-Americas is on the Unites State Map. Native Americans wee the only and I specify only true Americans.

 

Most of the black people born in the United states always want to call themselves something else so that they can stand out. As do the hispanic and  Asians . I am telliing you that there is no place on the United States Map that shows theese places.

 

Most Blacks, and Hispanic are the biggest racists, always have been and always will be. Who do you think voted for the Head rasict Obama? Blacks, hispanics and Asians.  So before you shoot off your mouth go look at my great Grand fathers memorial,  His name is Crazy Horse.

ernest smithling (Ernie from Louisiana)
Jan 27, 2013 9:12AM
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Yet another case of poor pitiful me,  it is not because of my lying and dishonesty, it is because I am black..Pleeeeeese!!!​!  Why can't idiots like this just admit they they screwed themselves over by their own actions, and not because of the color of their skin?  Jackasses like them as well as the desperate attorneys looking for a paycheck do nothing but hurt race relations and make people become insensitive to REAL discrimination cases.  Get over it! Sometimes you are just not qualified for something and it has nothing to do with your skin color.
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