California’s Los Angeles Reality TV isn’t always what it seems to be. Sometimes, the only distinction is whether a candidate chooses to speak out against something or not. However, a contestant from Season 20 of “American Idol” decided to criticize ABC’s singing competition. She filed a lawsuit against the production alleging wage theft.
Former “American Idol” contestant Normandy Vamos is suing the reality competition. She vented her rage toward the judges as well. Vamos asserted that the show’s celebrity judges treated her like a “laughing stock” and that this hurt her reputation on national television. Continue reading to learn the specific allegations made against “American Idol” by Vamos.
Who is Normandy Vamos?
The Baltimore native Normandy Vamos competed on “American Idol” Season 20 and won over the judges with her voice. Her adorable appearance was the icing on the cake. She arrived on stage carrying a carrot handbag, unicorn shoes, and a pink outfit. Her personality was reflected in her singing voice. But as soon as she stopped singing and began conversing with the judges, they couldn’t help but laugh. Vamos felt insulted by the judges’ laughter at her voice. When Vamos revealed that she would be singing Tia Turner’s “Proud Mary,” Katy Perry laughed hysterically and left the stage, declaring she was finished with the performance.
Why is Normandy Vamos suing ‘AGT’?
The 30-year-old Vamos participated in American Idol’s 20th season. Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Katy Perry all praised her voice throughout the performance. The contestant went on to the following round of auditions as a result. She has a problem with the production since she feels she was not paid for working for eight days in a row. The wannabe Baltimore singer is quoted by the New York Post as claiming, “Not all reality TV is accurate. There is a lot going on in the background.” “Myself and hundreds of people labored nearly a week without pay,” she continued to spew trash. Vamos asserted that she and the others were instructed to remain on standby for 15 hours each day for eight straight days in a Hollywood hotel. The competitors received no compensation for this. Vamos believed that for such a protracted wait, she and the others should have received pay, overtime pay, and reimbursement for business expenses.
According to Vamos’s lawsuit, the creators of “American Idol” violated the Private Attorneys General Act and the California Labor Code. Additionally, the producers are charged with engaging in “unfair business practices and unjust enrichment.” Vamos and a few other contestants who shared his resentment filed the lawsuit. Vamos’ name has, nevertheless, been made public.
“American Idol’s producers seem to feel they may break labor regulations and exploit ambitious young singers just because they may be hungry for a chance to become the next Jennifer Hudson or Carrie Underwood,” claims Chantal Payton, the attorney for Vamos. Vamos and the other contestants who produced content for “American Idol,” according to the lawyer, have all the rights of employees and should be compensated as such.
Vamos went on to criticize the program for making her appear to be a “laughing stock.” The aspiring singer thinks that the episode paid special attention to her carrot-shaped purse, bunny-shaped crocs, and high-pitched voice to create a comedic scene. “The contract between her high-pitched speaking voice and her lower-pitched singing provided plenty of material for the judges to pick apart,” the press release from Vamos’ side claimed.
‘AGT’ is no stranger to lawsuits from contestants
This is not the first time a contestant has sued “AGT.” The show has already been the target of several lawsuits. A lawsuit was brought in 2017 against the producers and Tyra Banks. The lawsuit was filed in secret and was known only as Jane Doe. In her case, Jane alleged that she had been “physically manipulated.” Additionally, the family of a 79-year-old woman who allegedly passed away as a result of the injuries she allegedly sustained on the set filed another case against the talent show. A competitor in 2015 took a nasty fall while shooting and requested $5 million from the program to make up for the harm they had done. The show “AGT” has also generated racial controversy. After being let go from “AGT,” Gabrielle Union filed a complaint, citing “racial jokes, racist performances, sexual orientation, discrimination, race-related comments, and undue focus on female judges” as her grievances.
