Ex-Idol Contestant Says Show Is Rigged

[Dusty Ayres]

Some ousted season 8 American Idol top 36 semi-finalists--including Felicia Barton, Kendall Beard, and Ju'Not Joyner--participated in an online chat with the Idol website AI Now today. And during his frank online conversation with fans, Ju'Not came right out and said that the TV talent show is in fact rigged, and that its contracts are unfair to contestants.

"It's a fixed thing if I ever saw one," he boldly declared--much to the shock of many naive chatters, who responded with capslocked interjections and frowny-faced emoticons.

"They pay for our lawyers to negotiate against their lawyer (which is BS)," he said. "They make us COLLECTIVELY choose the lawyer, then they act like it's in our best interest. Craziest stuff I've ever seen. I have a son to feed. I HAD to ask questions and know what I was signing. Plus I write my own songs and I needed to know details...Some folks were like, 'Just shut up and sign on the dotted line.' I know better than that...I wasn't complaining...I was asking basic legal questions. There's a huge difference between the two."

Ex-Idol Contestant Says Show Is Rigged

[dru]

Ancient history. The story had no legs and Ju'Not is a douche.

[Capt. Vulcan]

Eh, the story title is kind of misleading. He means rigged as in very one sided contracts, rather than rigged as in the voting doesn't count. Most similar reality show prizes are similarly rigged. On hell's kitchen like half of the chefs don't even work at the restaurants that they won jobs to. I really have little sympathy since these people already took like a huge shortcut to fame via the show. it's basically the choice between a one sided contract vs slinging burgers. Not only that but even hard working legitimate artists get really one sided contracts until they essentially reach legend status. This guy needs a reality check.

[Australis]

You do your best as a performer jumping through their hoops, then save your own personal best for when you're approached by a dozen record companies, agents, whatever.

It's advertising for you as a performer. You may not get much up front, but it'll pay off in the long run if you stick with it.

[Marc]

Capt. Vulcan wrote:

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Eh, the story title is kind of misleading. He means rigged as in very one sided contracts, rather than rigged as in the voting doesn't count. Most similar reality show prizes are similarly rigged. On hell's kitchen like half of the chefs don't even work at the restaurants that they won jobs to. I really have little sympathy since these people already took like a huge shortcut to fame via the show. it's basically the choice between a one sided contract vs slinging burgers. Not only that but even hard working legitimate artists get really one sided contracts until they essentially reach legend status. This guy needs a reality check.

I'm not sure that Hell's Kitchen is quite the right comparison - yes the winners might not quite get what they expect, but unlike <country> idol they've usually got the experience before coming on the show.

A chef will never make the sort of money the sort of money a pop star witll or be as well known but something like Michelin Stars will carry more prestige than a dozen grammys

[C.E. Evans]

You mean there are lawyers in Hollywood too?

I am totally shocked by this. Shocked, I tell you...

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Capt. Vulcan wrote:

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rather than rigged as in the voting doesn't count.

That wouldn't surprise me either, actually...

[bigdaddy]

dru wrote:

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Ancient history. The story had no legs and Ju'Not is a douche.

Exactly, the news is months old and everyone agrees the guy is an ass.

I'm not saying the show isn't set up, but the guy who is saying it is an ass.

[Misfit Toy]

Marc wrote:

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I'm not sure that Hell's Kitchen is quite the right comparison - yes the winners might not quite get what they expect, but unlike <country> idol they've usually got the experience before coming on the show.

I'm sure they have SOME experience, but their talent seems to pale in comparison to the quality of work produced by the Top Chef or Next Iron Chef contestants.