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American Idol: Nine Former Contestants Plan To Sue For Alleged Racism!

1/25/2013 12:38 PM ET | Filed under: Legal Matters • American Idol • Reality TV

Corey Clark Nigel Lythgoe Idol Lawsuit Black Contestants

It’s not all fun and games Nicki Minaj/Mariah Carey quips on Idol!

Producers of the show may soon face a lawsuit, brought on by nine black former contestants, who are claiming that the show is racist.

The nine singers who have joined together to make the allegations that they were FORCED off the show because of their race?

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).

Supposedly, the former Idol hopefuls feel they were booted from the show as a way for the network to up their ratings!

They’ve even hired a lawyer, wrote a letter to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and are investigating the show for only publicly disqualifying nine contestants, who were all black.

James H. Freeman, the former contestants’ attorney, claims that producers shouldn’t be allowed to ask about previous arrests and thinks it’s all part of a “scheme.”

Here’s the thing — the rules CLEARLY state that contestants can be disqualified for giving any false information or filling out the audition form truthfully.

As far as ex-contestant Corey Clark goes, he was booted because he initially lied to producers about an arrest… and let’s not even get into the shiz he started about his alleged affair with Paula Abdul!

Freeman believes the public disqualifications were made to perpetuate black stereotypes and feels the nine were made out to be "violent criminals, liars and sexual deviants.”

He also alleges that the show has "never once publicly disqualified a white or non-black American Idol contestant in the history of the 11-season production".

Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has blasted the claims, stating:

"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."

It's also worth noting that THREE Idol winners were indeed, black: Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino and Jordin Sparks.

Freeman is currently waiting on approval from EEOC to file the lawsuit.

[Images via WENN.]

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See All 23 Comments

23 comments to “American Idol: Nine Former Contestants Plan To Sue For Alleged Racism!”



  1. 1

    Ya, all the ex-convicts looking to cash in.

  2. chels says – reply to this


    2

    oh, please. i don't even remember any of their names. they need to get over it.



  3. 3

    nicki-mariah feud is not working so the producer is trying a different attempt for publicity.

  4. Patrick says – reply to this


    4

    Though I think this lawsuit is silly, it's rich hearing Nigel say "…I don't think I've ever seen racism at the show." Has he not watched the audition rounds since season 3? They make sure to make fun of at least a couple contestants with accents every year.

  5. fid says – reply to this


    5

    Re: Patrick – Making fun of someones accent isn't really racist is it? I mean sure if it's a Chinese person with a Chinese accent and they're laughing at them. But if it's a southern accent is it racist?



  6. 6

    Any of them got #1 HIT CD's out there? I didn't think so…

    Give them a map to the local sleazy bars with Karaoke Night Singing Contests…



  7. 7

    Eww, it's the guy that tried to screw Paula Abdul….

  8. terra says – reply to this


    8

    Well why wouldn't they look for previous arrests? Every other job asks for one. If you're so upset about having to share your arrest records, maybe you shouldn't have done things that you're ashamed of.

  9. Patrick says – reply to this


    9

    Re: fid – The contestants I'm talking about are Asian, not Southern.

  10. Zoe says – reply to this


    10

    They're just mad they didn't win. SMH

  11. shock says – reply to this


    11

    Um, did't Ruben Studdard win season 2 and Fantasia season 3?



  12. 12

    Corey Clark . . . . again? He needs to hang it up.

  13. The Truth says – reply to this


    13

    First off some of the American Idol winners were black. 2nd these are just wash up sore losers that want to extend there 15 minutes of fame. Those losers were never going to be famous. Contestants that were on American Idol that didn't win became more successful afterwards. Jennifer Hudson is the biggest example.

  14. @v@ says – reply to this


    14

    Voices don't HAVE a color.



  15. 15

    The people can't speak proper English so there is no point listening to them sing.



  16. 16

    These reject's just want money….get a job. Guess what guy's, youre not special



  17. 17

    Blacks playing the victim card yet again and trying to make some cash. How sad and deluded.



  18. 18

    Must be nice being a minority in America in these times. If you're an incompetent loser and get passed up by someone better than you, you can play your minority card and sue.

  19. TeamMariah says – reply to this


    19

    WOW! There actually is A LOT of talent I've seen on Idol this year so far, and all the kids are so diverse! This lil boy from Baton Rouge tried to tell Mariah that "[he] can't be anything but himself." as if. ;D And i ♥ Brandi, the blonde girl from last week. and a few others…
    Lil boy, Mariah has been being herself since even before you were waiting to be born to sing.

  20. Len says – reply to this


    20

    what a load of BS

  21. Bea says – reply to this


    21

    what about asians? First there was Jasmine Trias, which was so good I don't know what the fuck happened. Second there was Jessica Sanchez, which was a hundred times better than scotty… OF COURSE AI IS A RACIST SHOW! AND IT'S NOT JUST THE BLACKS.

  22. Brianne says – reply to this


    22

    Honestly I have no doubt in my mind this is a frivolous lawsuit out for money because Chris Golightly doesn't do anything unless it's for his own personal gain. He has spent his whole career lying and crying victim to anyone who would listen not just in the states but in South Korea too. Maybe money from this lawsuit will go to finance the lawsuit against him in Korea. Or maybe he just skipped the country to get away from that. Maybe you people should check out some of these people before you jump on the racist train. Some of them have backgrounds that will make you realize there excuses of racism have nothing to do with why they are doing this.

  23. teeter totter says – reply to this


    23

    I have not watched this show since Simon and Paula left.
    I will say that most Americans are tired of folks playing the race card. Let's face it, PC went out of fashion about ten years ago and it is now OK to bash someone.