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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
Socially Unacceptable
Jan 25, 2013 1:16PM
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So these folks didn't follow the rules, got kicked off the show, and are now claiming racism, even though the article went on to read, "In addition, "Idol" has publicly disqualified two non-black contestants: Delano Cagnolatti, for lying about his age; and Joanna Pacitti, for alleged entertainment connections." Hmmm. They're alleging that asking someone if they've ever been arrested is an illegal question to ask? Sounds like something an employer would want to know. There have been winners of diffreent races who managed to follow the rules. There have always been judges who represented different ethnicities. I don't think this lawsuit is going to succeed.
Jaynier
Jan 25, 2013 1:13PM
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Sour grapes.   They should of been truthful with the questions asked.   Idol has had plenty of blacks on the show who have done well.   Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Josh Ledet, to name a few.

Knova
Jan 25, 2013 1:12PM
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I get tired of a bunch of whiny blacks that have to blame the show for there poor behavior. I don't give a damn if you are white, black, yellow, or green.... It just happens to be all the "A-holes"  happen to be black and not the other way around. Quit crying you bunch of sore losers and get a job and work like to other 50% of us have to...
Bupea
Jan 25, 2013 1:10PM
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Or maybe...they arent as talented as they like to think they are.
james (Pop Lock King)
Jan 25, 2013 1:10PM
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Anytime you have a article involving black people you are always going to have the trailer troll rednecks come out in full force like roaches. American Idol is racist. Look at the fools that have won over the years. A bunch of non singing trailer roaches who couldn't get a legitimate record deal. American Idol will let tone deaf pale queers win instead of a world class black singer. I quit watching that RACIST CRAP after season 1. "NOW put that in your METH pipe and smoke it".
atticus_finch
Jan 25, 2013 1:10PM
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I can already see Al Sharpton readying marches over this, how ridiculous!
steve-HOUSTON
Jan 25, 2013 1:10PM
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sorry, sounds like someone playing the 'race' card because they didn't get special treatment

 

 ( john can't read, but lets promote him anyway, because he is,(choose your minority), and being told he failed might hurt his feelings)

Virgil-K
Jan 25, 2013 1:08PM
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Funny - seems that this group is just those who did not win...that couldn't be it, could it?...but I'm better than everyone else...just ask me...
Fast eddy899
Jan 25, 2013 1:07PM
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What a bunch of losers.....everyone gets a trophy or they sue....
daz55
Jan 25, 2013 1:07PM
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This lawsuit is totally without merit. Idol has had three black winners:Ruben Studdard,Fantasia and Jordin Sparks. And then there's Jennifer Hudson,who though she didn't win Idol went on the win an Oscar,a Golden Globe and a Sag award. So that shoots the racist theory down right there. And Corey Clark is a total loser. He was thrown off the show because he had an assault case pending for alledgedly attacking hos sister and never bothered to tell Idol. And then there were his allegations of having an affair with Paula. He was dismissed as a liar and an opportunist and nothing ever came of his claim. Now he's trying to squeeze money out of Idol again. He's a hood and a liar who can't get his sh*t together and he doesn't deserve a damned penny!
Chip2416
Jan 25, 2013 1:06PM
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This is So Ridiculous... American Idol has always been Very Diverse.
TLM09
Jan 25, 2013 1:05PM
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Who the heck are they anyway.  I've never heard of any of their names and I watch American Idol.  Sore losers.
str8shuetr
Jan 25, 2013 1:04PM
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I wonder if Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino & Jordin Sparks feel the show is racist?
Jonesies Jones
Jan 25, 2013 1:04PM
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I am black and it is always people like this who jsut don't cut the mustard who use the "racist" card to try and get money.  If beauty contestants and athlete's can be asked about their morals or drug use, then why can't idol weed out the criminals?  Sometimes I am ashamed of my own race by the way they act.
jack2323
Jan 25, 2013 1:02PM
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I guess white basketball players should sue claiming racism as well.
jack2323
Jan 25, 2013 1:02PM
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TFN's.  How many white contestants have been eliminated?    Another bunch of entitlement trash bags.
Jonny Black
Jan 25, 2013 1:00PM
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judge should not allow this case to go foward.  boo hoo for the lil black guys.
The World is full of Idiots
Jan 25, 2013 1:00PM
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Well of course. Maybe they need Affirmative Action in American Idol? You know if you aren't talented enough to make it. Let's force people to have to make you successful. 

Remember the story of the boy who cried wolf? Eventually no one is gonna give a damn about racism. When that happens then we will right back to the major problems we had before.
mimicita777
Jan 25, 2013 12:58PM
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Extreme sour grapes. Hey, people, you just didn't have what it takes to win. Deal with it. There have been minorities who went all the way through- stop your belly aching and go get a job. You can't sing. 
Denny Williams
Jan 25, 2013 12:58PM
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You see this day in and day out.  The blacks are being put on.  Maybe there is something that someone else is singing or the way they sing is better than that black person or peoples. There is only one that can win and now that King Obama is in office they think they are picking on him by throwing him out. He might be good but not great.  He might also think he is the best since bubble gum.  Well I think I am the best also but I am white and he is playing the race card yet again. Pretty sorry kid.
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