Former ‘American Idol’ Contestants Accuse Show of Racism

Nine former African-American contestants have accused reality TV show, “American Idol” of racism and are looking to file a lawsuit.

The artists claimed that they were “forced off” the show to boost ratings among its white audience. According to TMZ, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has received a complaint from Attorney James H. Freeman asking for permission to sue both American Idol and the Fox Network.

Contestants of the complaint are:
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)
Chris Golightly (Season 9)

Freeman said suspicions arose when Jermaine Jones was kicked off the show because he failed to inform producers about outstanding warrants for his arrest. Freeman added the show has only disqualified nine contestants publicly in its history, all the contestants being African American.

The biggest attack by Freeman is that the show has never publicly disqualified a non-black contestant throughout the show’s eleven seasons of production.

Head of American Idol, Nigel Lythgoe, claims the lawsuit is nonsense.

“We’re not sure if it just happens to be the case that all of the disqualified contestants were black, but he should probably try to explain that one,” Lythgoe told TMZ. “We treat everybody the same … no matter the race, religion or sex.”

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