A lawsuit, alleging racial discrimination, against American Idol producers has been allowed to move forward.
As previously reported in July, 10 former contestants of the Fox reality show filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination. The suit was seeking $25 million each.
In January, the 10 contestants filed a request through New York attorney James H. Freeman to sue over "cruel and inhumane" plots against African-American contestants to drive up ratings. Freeman said the show promoted "destructive stereotypes" and "never once publicly disqualified a white or non-black American Idol contestant."
ABC News is reporting that the plaintiffs were given notices of "right to sue" from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. All were disqualified for reasons other than singing.
Fox and 19 Entertainment, the show's production company, have decided to switch attorneys. The companies have changed from employment attorney Jonathan Suids to trial attorney Daniel Petrocelli.
American Idol producers said back in May that there was no evidence "the particular disqualification of these specific individuals (the plaintiffs) had anything to do with their race."
image: Fox