Toronto Sun article
The American Idol reject who stormed the stage during the competition’s live TV finale in May is preparing to file a $300 million lawsuit against show producers, accusing them of “exploiting” his sexuality.
Former contestant Ian Benardo, who failed to pass auditions when he tried out for the talent show in 2006, interrupted funnyman Dane Cook’s comedy skit when he ran on stage and grabbed the microphone from the actor at the Los Angeles event.
Calling it “a Kanye West moment”, Benardo began to hurl abuse at exiting American Idol judge Simon Cowell, insisting he was going to replace the music mogul on the program because, “I’m more entertaining than you.”
But in new legal papers filed with the New York State Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Monday, Benardo claims he was put up to the stunt by Idol executives who invited him back for this year’s final and asked him to be “outrageous” and “gay”.
The documents state that producers had previously “exploited… my sexual orientation” when he auditioned for the contest, by ordering him to “gay it up”.
Benardo insists he was given similar orders when he returned in May.
He goes on to accuse Cook of threatening him after the incident, claiming Idol bosses warned him he was “not safe” and advised him to leave the Nokia Theatre immediately.
According to TMZ.com, Benardo is now set to take the battle to court and is seeking damages for emotional injuries suffered and loss of employment opportunities as a result of the incident.
Representatives for both American Idol and Cook have yet to respond to the legal action.
(Video of Ian’s American Idol AND So You Think You Can Dance auditions after the jump.)
Ian Bernardo’s American Idol audition (January 2007)
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Ian Bernardo’s So You Think You Can Dance audition (May 2006)
I can’t help but wonder when the lawsuit for THIS over-the-top gay outrageousness will be filed. Or is this Defense Exhibit A?
Real simple: Idol needs to stop doing the fake drama and doing the real.
I can’t point out many people who still find these lame “bring the weird contestants back” jokes funny.
They’re stupid… no one really cares… like the Tatiana thing from last year, totally pointless. It dumbs down the show.
I remember when gay was simply another word for happy. Today so many groups demand more rights under the constitution against discrimination. Then they turn around and shove the constitution back into the country’s court system’s face saying their rights are being violated and sue. And sue for what they wanted in the first place! Dammed if you do, and…..
I wish gay still meant happy. It obviously doesn’t for this character.
Calgon, take me away… O:)
@ DJSlim: “maybe if he had worn a bikini he would have gotten the whole 15 minutes”
Do NOT give him any ideas! No one wants to have that image burned in their minds!
maybe if he had worn a bikini he would have gotten the whole 15 minutes :)
maybe if he didn’t want them to exploit his gayness he should have stayed home
@ DrillerAA: “Just another clown looking for their fifteen minutes of fame.”
You hit the nail on the head. He only got two, maybe three, minutes of fame from his appearances and he’s upset about it. And what better way to stretch your fame than by filing a lawsuit?
Just another clown looking for their fifteen minutes of fame.
I don’t suppose it ever occurred to Bernard to just say no to previous requests to”gay it up” and simply walk away from the situation. NOOooo! Where’s the fun and money in that.
Oh, I hope he goes on to demonstrate to the judge exactly what constituted “gay it up” – seems to me that he seemed very comfortable in his own skin, so to speak, and that he didn’t do anything other than be his usual self. But what do I know?!