American Idol: The Biggest Scandals In The History Of The Show

Over the course of 19 seasons, American Idol has seen some incredible talent and kickstarted the careers of several high-profile superstars. Through the years, there have also been scandals concerning the competitors and the judges. Between problematic remarks, contract issues, eligibility concerns, and behind-the-scenes affairs, American Idol has seen an abundance of scandals throughout the seasons. While the show has contributed to many controversies in recent seasons, some of the biggest scandals date back to the beginning of the show’s run.

Caleb Kennedy’s Surfaced Video

One of the most controversial scandals occurred in the most recent season of the competition. 16-year-old South Carolina native Caleb Kennedy exited the competition after a video of him surfaced on the internet. The video displayed Caleb and a friend wearing what resembled to be a hood from a white supremacist hate group. The three-second video was found on Snapchat and was filmed when the singer was 12 years old. According to Caleb, he was trying to depict a character from the movie The Strangers: Prey at Night. Caleb made it to the top five in the competition, but these actions lead to his departure from the show.

Corey Clark Vs. Paula Abdul

During American Idol season 2, a lot of controversies surrounded contestant Corey Clark, who was also disqualified from the show. Before competing on American Idol, Corey was arrested for domestic violence and was removed from the competition because he did not disclose this information to the show. Later scandals arose about him not following contestant rules and having an affair with the show’s host, Paula Abdul, while competing. Alas, the allegations were dismissed. Years after his time on American Idol, he was one of nine contestants who filed a petition to request the opportunity to sue the show for racial discrimination because producers asked Black contestants about their arrest history.

Joanna Pacitti’s Pre-Idol Career

Joanna Pacitti competed on American Idol season 8 and made it to the top 36 when it was determined that she was ineligible for competition. She left the show during the notorious Hollywood Week due to speculation of previous record deals, even though the show is really meant for amateur singers to create a name for themselves. Before competing on American Idol, Joanna had an extensive career, including going on tour, having songs in movies, and already releasing a debut album. Suspected connections between Joanna and the show’s production also contributed to this scandal and led to her disqualification.

Phillip Phillips’ Lawsuit

Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips is notably one of the best acts to come from the show. He attempted to escape an “oppressive” contract with the show’s co-producers, 19 Entertainment, by filing a lawsuit against them. The champion claims that producers manipulated him into performing shows for free, taking large cuts of his deals, and announcing album titles without any input from the artist. The company failed to share important information regarding his career to benefit them, without considering Phillip at all. While the American Idol winner is grateful for the show, he cannot extend his gratitude towards 19 Entertainment.

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