For nearly two decades, American Idol has proven to be a bona fide launching pad for stars, like
Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and more. But the fame that can come from appearing on the show
is sometimes accompanied by controversy. These are the huge scandals that rocked American Idol.
The second season of American Idol delivered its very first scandal, and it was a juicy one.
As the New York Post reported, The Smoking Gun website had uncovered topless photos of contestant
Frenchie Davis — then 23 — on an adult website called Daddy's Little Girls. Even though Davis
claimed she was 18 when the pics were taken, her adult industry past got her kicked off the show.
"I was 18 years old, 3000 miles away from home, I had no financial support."
A few years later, Davis — who went on to land a role in Rent and become a legit Broadway star —
called out Idol for its double standard when far more provocative photos surfaced of Season
6 contestant Antonella Barba, who was allowed to continue competing. Davis griped to the Post:
"I couldn't help but notice the difference between the manner in which she was dealt with and how I
was dealt with. 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."
Corey Clark's time on American Idol was brief, with the singer kicked off in 2003
after The Smoking Gun shared details of his arrest for allegedly beating up his teenage sister.
As Today reported, even more controversy was in store when a tabloid shared Clark's claims that he
and judge Paula Abdul had a, quote, "secret affair" prior to his ejection.
According to the Season 2 contestant, they'd allegedly had an illicit relationship while he
lived in her guest house, but she warned him to keep his lips zipped, reportedly telling him:
"Don't screw me or you'll be sorry."
Clark's claims, it should be noted, were taken from a book proposal he'd
been shilling to publishing companies. Abdul denied everything, telling the tabloid she,
quote, "disputes the allegations contained in the book proposal."
However, Idol producers took Clark's claims seriously enough to appoint an
independent counsel. MTV News reported that after a months-long investigation,
no evidence was found to back up his allegations.
Abdul said in a statement:
"I'm grateful this ordeal is over, and I'm so looking forward to getting back to the job I love.
Once again, I thank my fans from throughout the world for their undying love and support."
American Idol's entire premise rests on its
singers being undiscovered amateurs who are then propelled to stardom.
Yet every once in a while, a contestant's past has blown this conceit to smithereens.
Such was the case with Joanna Pacitti, she'd already had a record deal and even released her
debut album. Meanwhile, one of her songs had also appeared on a movie soundtrack. As if that weren't
enough, she'd also gone on tour as the opening act for Nick Lachey — who was signed to a label
owned by Sony BMG, the same company that awarded recording contracts to American Idol champions.
In order to eradicate any suggestion of unfairness to the season's other
contestants, Pacitti was shown the door.
"I definitely wasn't expecting it, I was really devastated obviously."
After her 2009 dismissal, Pacitti told Access:
"I've always been a strong believer that everything happens for a reason."
After longtime judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell exited American Idol,
OG judge Randy Jackson was joined by the star-studded combo of Keith Urban,
Nicki Minaj, and Mariah Carey. It didn't take long for evidence to emerge that Carey and Minaj didn't
get along — or, to be more accurate, despised each other with the searing force of a million suns.
That became clear when TMZ obtained a behind-the-scenes recording from the set,
in which Minaj appeared to yell:
"I told them I'm not f---in' putting up with her f---in' highness over there."
After some back and forth between the two judges,
Minaj allegedly upped the ante to declare off-tape:
"If I had a gun I would shoot the b----."
Minaj denied saying that.
Carey later told Barbara Walters she was so fearful of Minaj's alleged threats that she hired
extra security. Nobody was surprised when neither singer came back for a second season of Idol.
After it was all over, Carey was asked during an interview if she'd ever return. She insisted:
"Hell no. Absolutely not. That was the worst experience of my life."
"Can you say three nice things about Nicki Minaj?" "Can you?"
Phillip Phillips took the crown in American Idol's 11th season in 2012, but his elation at winning
eventually withered when he took a closer look at his recording contract. In 2015,
he sued the show's co-producer, 19 Entertainment, seeking to nullify his, quote, "oppressive" deal.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the redundantly named singer-songwriter alleged he had
so little control over the course of his career that he didn't even learn the name of his album,
Behind the Light, until it was announced. Phillips also claimed 19 Entertainment
was helping itself to 40 percent of his endorsement money. As Phillips told THR:
"I have not felt that I have been free to conduct my career in a way that I am comfortable with."
The case took an unexpected turn when 19 Entertainment filed for bankruptcy during
a different legal dispute after Fox temporarily cancelled the show. That led 19 to countersue
Phillips for $6 million, claiming he hadn't relinquished $1 million he owed the company,
along with an additional $5 million for breaching his contract. The matter was settled in 2017,
although details of that "amicable resolution" weren't made public.
Elton John briefly appeared on American Idol's third season in 2004,
and shared his opinion over a big voting scandal that took place when three of
that season's most talented singers — Fantasia Barrino, LaToya London,
and Jennifer Hudson, all of whom happened to be Black women — wound up in the bottom three.
"And Simon, quickly, America's put these ladies in the bottom three. What do you think?"
"Tongue, floor."
During a press conference for an upcoming concert performance,
Sir Elton slammed the racism he saw underlying the viewers' votes, saying:
"The three people I was really impressed with, and they just happened to be Black,
young female singers, and they all seem to be landing in the bottom three.
They have great voices. The fact that they're constantly in the bottom
three — and I don't want to set myself up here — but I find it incredibly racist."
The Fox network declined comment. Meanwhile, Barrino went on to become that season's winner,
London embarked on a successful career as an R&B singer, and Hudson is halfway to an EGOT,
boasting a trophy case bursting at the seams with awards that include a Grammy,
a Golden Globe, and an Oscar.
Bucky Covington finished in eighth place in American Idol's 2006 season,
but found himself in trouble with the law a few years later. In 2011,
TMZ reported that Covington had been booked to perform in a Florida saloon
when the show's promoter was taken to a hospital after experiencing chest pains.
According to the police report, when the promoter returned,
he discovered $1,500 in cash was missing. He accused Covington and his twin brother, Rocky,
of ripping him off, and pressed charges. Covington denied the promoter's allegations,
but did express his excitement that he was still, quote, "big enough" to warrant coverage in TMZ.
That wasn't the Covington twins' first brush with the law, however. MTV News reports that
Rocky was driving a truck that was rear-ended by another vehicle in 1998. Problem was,
his license was suspended at the time. When the cops arrived, Bucky — whose driving record was
clean — reportedly claimed he'd been behind the wheel. The other driver agreed to cooperate with
the twins' switcheroo, but eventually told the truth, and Rocky was charged. When the driver
later misidentified the twins in court, however, the judge dismissed all charges.
During the 2007 season of American Idol, contestant Sanjaya Malakar was roundly
mocked in the media due to his mediocrity in comparison to the season's other singers.
"Look, Sanjaya, the good news is it wasn't as ghastly as last week. So, there's a positive."
This presented a unique opportunity for radio host Howard Stern, a big Idol fan at the time.
Stern hatched a plan when he discovered the Vote for the Worst website, which encouraged viewers
to cast their votes for the show's worst singer — in this case, Malakar — as a goof.
Thanks to Stern's millions of listeners playing along, the hapless singer sailed
through week after week while far more talented performers were sent home. Stern declared proudly:
"We're corrupting the entire thing. All of us are routing American Idol.
It's so great. The No. 1 show in television and it's getting ruined."
A couple years later, Malakar paid a visit to Stern's radio show,
and acknowledged he had Stern to thank for making it to a seventh-place finish.
The way Malakar saw it, he figured his job was, quote, "to be outrageous" since he,
the producers, and the judges were all well aware of Stern's shenanigans.
The most infamous judging moment in American Idol history took place in 2008, right after
a performance from contestant Jason Castro, and it was bonkers — even by Paula Abdul standards.
As Abdul ran through her critique, she told Castro his second song was missing his, quote,
"usual charm" and, quote, "kind of left [her] a little empty." Given that Castro had only sung
one song, viewers wondered what the heck she was talking about.
"Just once, but Paula, Paula. You're seeing the future, baby, you're seeing the future."
Abdul later tried to clear things up during an appearance on Seacrest's radio show,
explaining that she watched Castro perform both songs at dress rehearsal, and was going
off notes she'd made then. Unfortunately, that nugget of info only made viewers question the
show's legitimacy. Executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz eventually stepped in, saying:
"The judges have always acknowledged they occasionally watch rehearsals,
but in the end they only comment on what happens in the live show."
Check out one of our newest videos right here! Plus,
even more Nicki Swift videos about your favorite shows are coming soon.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell so you don't miss a single one.