According to USA Today:

American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says he’s “shocked” by a proposed lawsuit from nine past contestants claiming racial motivations for their public disqualifications from the show.

New York attorney James Freeman has filed a letter with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission seeking to sue the show. Freeman claims the show violates California employment law, which forbids employers from questioning potential employees about their arrest histories.”

An article in Fox News provides a more detailed look at each one of these nine ex-Idol hopefuls, including the following: Corey Clark from season two, who was disqualified after it was discovered that he had previously been arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery on four police officers and his sister; Jaered Andrews, also from season two, who was removed from the show after the discovery of an assault charge; And twin brothers Terrell and Derrell Brittenum of season five, who were axed from the show after it was discovered that they had been arrested and charged with identity theft.

While the Fox News article asserts that the proposed discrimination case against the producers will be hard legally to prove for a variety of reasons, I found the accusations of race-bias intriguing because Idol seems like an equal opportunity reality show. Folks spanning various skin colors, genders and sexual orientations have not only been popular, but have actually won the show. Then again, I admittedly haven’t watched the show since the season after Fantasia won – even then I can’t tell you who won. However, last year, Melissa McEwan, writing for Alternet, too raised the question if Idol had a race and gender problem. According to the Alternet piece, among all the contestants to be eliminated first in the finals of the 2011 season of Idol were women of color. Furthermore, as noted by McEwan, a woman of color hasn’t won a season of Idol since Jordin Sparks took season six. McEwan speculates that the show’s target demographic leans heavily towards contestants with Southern roots, and it might explain the racial imbalance on the show, however, there is no getting around the fact that the show treats contestants differently by gender, “encouraging creativity among the boys and conformity among the girls.”

Last week, I decided to tune into the first Idol show in a number of seasons. I think the last time that I had actually watched Idol with interest is when that Sanjaya kid trolled America. But like most people I know, if I do happen upon it, I’m only watching for the auditions, and even then, I’m only making it an episode or two. However, I will say that this supposed beef between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj has sparked my interest. And while somewhat entertaining, it is clear from the three episodes I’ve seen that their little squabble is not going to be enough to carry the entire show – well, maybe for a season. I certainly am interested to see how Minaj and Carey will relate to each other during the live shows. However, their tension is not enough to warrant a return for next season. As far as I am concerned, Idol issues go far beyond what a Minaj and Carey beef can fix. I don’t know if it is just a matter of it being racial or sexist, but I can tell you that I have watched Idol judges pass through mediocre singers audition after audition and then basically lie to the cameras about them being the “best voice I think we heard all day.”

I’m not saying that these people can’t carry a tune, but carrying a tune is all that they can do. The typical Idol singer has little range and they tend to all sound the same. They are pleasant in sound but not all that inspiring. What’s missing from Idol nowadays is the real singers. You know, the ones with the heavy voices, who know how to do runs and riffs properly and can hit all the notes in Jennifer Holiday’s “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”? The singers whose voices give goosebumps and reach you to the depth of your soul. I’m not only talking about the Fantasias and the Ruben Studdards, but the Clay Aikens, Carrie Underwoods and Kelly Clarksons too. I’m talking about the powerhouse singers, who wake up early Sunday morning just so that they can tear it up at their storefront Baptist churches, or what Simon Cowell would call “good ole’ fashion belters.” A singing competition without those kind of big voices cannot be taken seriously.

In this regard, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were definitely some filtering and selective-ness at work behind the scenes. If demographics are important, as the Alternet article suggests, then perhaps Idol might be more willing to tailor its finalists to meet the audience’s standards of image, values and personality. And unfortunately, in our culture, images – be it the potential for being racist, sexist or some other way exclusionary – tends to overshadow talent. It’s the reason why Martha Wash has one of the most famous voices, but not as recognizable of a face. And as I suspect, it is the reason why Idol keeps producing season after season these homogeneous non-singers who are a little bit country with a penchant for acoustic guitars and boring contemporary pop-top 40 hits.

In a way, you can’t blame them: having a powerhouse singer amidst a bunch of middling singers is not all that interesting to watch. It’s like, duh, this person is destined to win so why even bother with the competition? Well, unless of course something is off in the voting. I remember feeling that way when Jennifer Hudson, who clearly could blow, was unceremoniously booted from the program by an obviously tone-deaf America. Ironically, the other contestants in the bottom three, alongside Hudson, consisted of two other black women. Clearly, American Idol is a popularity contest. And unfortunately in America, it is still perfectly fashionable in popularity contests to be both racist and sexist.

Weight loss and weight gain seems to be a consistent problem in the USA.   With so much focus on diet fads and weight loss programs, it can be tough to know what’s right for you and your body.  These celebrities have done it all with their weight: kept it off, then put it back on.

celebrityhealthfitness.com

Kirstie Alley

Who can forget our favorite lady from “Cheers” during the early ’90′s?   Kirstie Alley became a spokeswoman for Jenny Craig from 2005 to 2008, when she was almost 228 pounds. Before that, she would constantly go up and down with her weight.   Her stint on “Dancing With The Stars ” in 2011 has kept her in shape and even starting a weight loss campaign.  ”Cheers” to that!!

From EurWeb.com

http://americanidolwinnerslist.net

Ruben Studdard is officially single after filing for divorce in November 2011.

Yes, Studdard’s a single man and he gets to take all his royalties with him, thanks to a prenuptial agreement.

He and his now former wife, Surata Zuri McCants, separated due to irreconcilable differences. During the dirty divorce, reports TMZ, McCants tried to convince the judge to nullify the prenup, claiming the singer forced her to sign the documents days before the wedding.

For the complete story, visit EurWeb.com.

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In part two of our interview with Ruben Studdard, the American Idol champ talks about his upcoming album “Letters From Birmingham,” which covers the highs and lows of love and relationships. Contrary to what many folks would assume, Studdard says he’s reflecting on all of his relationships on this album, not just his marriage, which dissolved last year. Check out what else he had to share.

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Ruben Studdard has somewhat struggled to consistently stay in the limelight since he won American Idol in 2003. Over the years, Studdard has gone back and forth with producing gospel albums and R&B albums, and has flown above and below the radar. In part one of our interview with Studdard, we asked him about his thoughts on American Idol and how life has changed for him since winning the big contest.

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Sad news. American Idol winner Ruben Studdard has filed for divorce from his wife of three years, Surata Zuri McCants. The pair married in 2008 after dating for two years in Alabama. It’s a shame their union didn’t last — Ruben seems like such a nice guy! According to HuffPost Black Voices:

According to the Daily Mail, Studdard has filed divorce papers in Alabama citing “irreconcilable differences.” Studdard’s attorney, Byron Perkins stated to the site: “Ruben Studdard and Zuri McCants Studdard have separated, and they are in the process of seeking a dissolution of their marriage. They each request the public respects their privacy during this trying time in their lives.”

In keeping with his sweet and lovable image, Studdard will be soldiering on despite these setbacks in his personal life to attend a series of charity events in the coming days that bear his name.

“A weekend of events in his hometown which bear his name, which includes a fundraiser on Friday and a Sunday marathon, will go on for the sake of his charitable foundation,” the Daily Mail also reports. That is really wonderful that Ruben Studdard will be thinking of others at a time of deep personal need. His reaction to his divorce is a far cry from the behavior of Kim Kardashian, who went on a business trip to promote her handbag line a mere hours after dumping her husband.

We commend Ruben Studdard, and wish both parties the best as they move on and heal.

Alexis Garrett Stodghill is the senior editor of MadameNoire.com. Follow her on Twitter: @lexisb

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From the time we could speak we’ve heard about the benefits of vegetables. If you eat spinach you’ll be strong like Popeye and if you stock up on carrots you’ll have great eyesight. While most of us try to squeeze in some veggies on the side, many in the African American community haven’t gone green when it comes to our plates. But with obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease plaguing our community, the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle deserves some serious consideration. Here are some celebrities who’ve said no more meat. Even if you don’t completely change your meat eating ways, after reading this list you can’t deny those greens have done their bodies good!