'American Idol' sued by 10 black contestants alleging racism
A group of 10 black former "American聽Idol" contestants have sued the Fox show, claiming that producers dug up their arrest histories to get them thrown off because of their race, according to聽TMZ.
The contestants say they were unfairly painted as criminals and sexual deviants 鈥� despite that none was ever charged with a crime for which they were arrested, according to the report. What's more 鈥� they say only blacks were targeted with the smear campaign.
See photos:聽Meet the 10 Black Contestants Suing 'Idol' for Alleged Racism
Plaintiffs are Jaered Andrews (Season 2); Terrel and Derrell Brittenum (Season 5);聽Corey Clark(Season 2, pictured);聽Thomas Daniels聽(Season 6);聽Chris Golightly聽(Season 9); Ju'Not Joyner (Season 8);聽Jacob John Smalley聽(Season 2); Akron Watson (Season 6) and Donnie Williams (Season 3).
Fox and "Idol" producers聽FremantleMedia聽had no comment on the lawsuit when contacted by TheWrap.
See photos: 'American聽Idol' and 'Voice' Winners: Who's Broken Out, and Who's Just Broken
Each is suing for $25 million, and the group wants "American聽Idol" to implement a system to stop the behavior, TMZ reported.
