Rosie ODonnell Accuses American Idol Show Of Racism – Producers Fire Back Disputing Claim –Davis Tells Post Was Treated Unfairly
Submitted by Staff on March 8, 2007 – 3:40am. Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment | Television
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(Best Syndication) Rosie O’Donnell accused the television show “American Idol” of racism on “The View” Tuesday. She said that it was unfair that contestant Frenchie Davis was kicked off the show because racy photos were discovered, but Antonella Barba was not after raunchy photos of her surface on the Internet.
Rosie said “I think its racist. I do. I think it’s because [Frenchie is] black.” She went on to say “One girl’s nude on the Internet – she gets kicked off the show and is humiliated and disgraced and, like, limps away with her tail between her legs, and the other girl is still on. Can’t sing a note by the way.”
Co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck brought up a point that was dismissed by the rest of “The View” panel. “Wasn’t Frenchie making money off her photos?” she asked. O’Donnell went on to compare the looks of the contestants. She said that Davis was “weightist.” Davis is full-figured, while Barba is slender.
The producers of “American Idol” released a statement Wednesday disputing O’Donnell’s claims. The Fox Producer, Nigel Lythgoe said “Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O’Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that ‘American Idol’ is racist and/or weightiest.
“Ms. O’Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that ‘American Idol’ constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color.”
But Davis does not see it that way. She told the New York Post that she was treated unfairly. “I think it’s fantastic if ‘Idol’ has evolved and I think it’s fantastic she won’t have to go through what I went through four years ago… But if the rules have changed, I believe there should be something to make up for the fact that I was humiliated needlessly.”
Common Misspellings – Odonald O’Donell O’Donnel O’Donald Rosy Idoll Odonel O’donel
http://www.americanidolrumors.com/american_idol_season_6/american_idol_news/rosie.html
