Would Be Idol Sues Show for Exploiting His Sexuality

A would be contestant on American Idol has filed a complaint against the popular reality show for exploiting his sexuality and appearance, and is seeking $300 million in reparation for the mental duress he endured.

According to Idol reject Ian Benardo’s claim, producers "exploited my non-conforming appearance and sexual orientation. They did this by directing me to 'gay it up' in any appearance I made on camera."

Because Benardo accepted payment for his appearances — most notably in the finale after his rejection from the competition — he is claiming workplace discrimination and accusing Idol producers of being verbally hostile to the point of “altering his working conditions”.

‹‹Previous Article in Category | Next Article in Category››

Reader Comments

Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Paul K
Date posted: 7/29/2010 9:25:53 AM
Hometown: Detroit

Comment:
He seems to be one of those delusional kids who keep popping up on every talent search show. Convinced that he is a "superstar" despite the complete lack of dancing or singing ability he resorts to (bad) insults when confronted with the truth from critics. Even if he is trying to use fake auditions to jumpstart a comedy career he falls flat. He is definitely a product of the "you're wonderful I have to build up your self-esteem so that it is grossly over inflated" style of parenting/childrearing. Every little poop and scribble was so over praised that he is absolutely sure that he is the best thing ever produced and all he has to do is WANT IT and it shall happen. I have heard parents do this with their kids - made me want to puke! But I didn't because my dad was not there to say "that was THE BEST puking in the world!"
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Kevin
Date posted: 7/27/2010 11:54:51 PM
Hometown: Prince George, BC

Comment:
Exploiting his appearance and sexuality? He says the producers did this, he gets eliminated,VOLUNTARILY accepts payment to come back to the shows finale, and now he decides to sue??? Hey Ian, get a life. As for gaying it up on Idol and not getting very far, two words for you... Adam Lambert. Nuff said.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: John Bowdle
Date posted: 7/27/2010 3:13:59 PM
Hometown: Tulsa, OK

Comment:
What's with the big lips? Look just go get a job like everyone else and move on!
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Steve
Date posted: 7/27/2010 2:59:17 PM
Hometown: Walton, WV

Comment:
Two words; "Fu??in idot"
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Joseph
Date posted: 7/27/2010 1:46:56 PM
Hometown: Montgomery, AL

Comment:
The guy better hope that his "audition" doesn't get shown in court. THAT. WAS. AWFUL. Even IF the show's producers asked him to play up his sexuality, he COULD have made an effort to actually, you know, SING the song, rather than what he did. (IF he was actually singing, then the guy's talent can only be appreciated if the listener is absolutely drunk or stoned--even then, there's a good chance he'd be booed off the stage.)
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Conor Matthews
Date posted: 7/27/2010 12:59:33 PM
Hometown: Dundalk, Ireland

Comment:
Kind of makes you think if they ever told contestants to "black it up" or "dyke it up". Ever notice the way that the bad singers are more stereotypical than the good ones. makes you think.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: David
Date posted: 7/27/2010 12:58:41 PM
Hometown: Jackson, OH

Comment:
Adam from Ohio, you are hilarious and I am still laughing. Thanks for making my day!
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Dan
Date posted: 7/27/2010 12:22:20 PM
Hometown: Boston

Comment:
Pathetic, if you wear a mink coat and a sweatband you are getting voted off becuase you look like an ass not because you are gay. Get a life and get a job!
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Dino
Date posted: 7/27/2010 11:03:05 AM
Hometown: Brooklyn

Comment:
Oh please.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Charles
Date posted: 7/27/2010 10:28:33 AM
Hometown: Austin, TX

Comment:
Really? You were auditioning for American Idol and they told you to "Gay it up" and you didn't think that you were going to be exploited and for your silliness to be played on international television? Really?! Please stop embarrassing the movement. You accepted payment for what amounts to a GLBT Sambo and you will have to live with that. The next time you are told to "Gay it up" you'll probably think about it and decide to do something different.

PREVIOUS 1 2 3 NEXT

Don't Miss

Best of Broadway Dressing Felicia: Priscilla's Costume Designer Talks Shop
Costume designer Tim Chappel shares private sketches with The Advocate of his work on The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and gives the behind-the-scenes scoop on that flip-flop dress.

Best of Broadway How Broadway Does a Flea Market
Find out why actress Kathleen Chalfant calls the annual Flea Market and Grand Auction in Times Square "the most glamorous flea market you've ever seen." It raised half a million dollars to fight HIV/AIDS.

Best of Broadway Especially for You, It All Goes Backwards on Broadway
Here's your chance to hear the best of Broadway sung with you in mind at the annual Broadway Backwards event.

Best of Broadway You Picked: Broadway's Best Moments
We asked for your most loved and loathed moments from the Broadway stage. Here are eight of our reader's favorite musical moments, plus two that were not so well received.

Best of Broadway The 15 Biggest Broadway Hits
The top-performing Broadway shows will surprise and delight you.

Best of Broadway Top 10: Broadway's Best Cast Albums Ever
Our managing editor throws down with his list of the best Broadway musical albums of all time. Disagree? You'll have your chance, too.

People Douglas Spain Becomes the Change He Wants To See
On the heels of coming out, the acclaimed actor discusses good luck, the importance of being true to oneself, and the benefits of playing a homophobe.

Commentary Op-ed: The T-Word Hasn’t Changed, We Have

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Jake Finney responds to RuPaul and others and explains that the T-Word has always been inappropriate but few stood up for themselves.

News Is CPAC Illegally Discriminating Against Gays?
Fred Karger once again isn't being allowed a table at one of the GOP's biggest annual gatherings, and this time he's threatening legal action because he believes he's being discriminated against because he's gay.

News Obama Makes the Case for Fairness

He made the case for “a return to the American values of fair play and shared responsibility” — a theme pertinent for an LGBT community facing disproportionate poverty rates and legal barriers to equal rights.

Film Mosquita y Mari’s Path to Sundance
Director Aurora Guerrero talks to The Advocate about the making of her new film and how she believes mainstream media simplifies the lives of LGBT and Latino characters.

Film Young & Wild: A Director’s Perspective
The director and cowriter of Young & Wild, a film about a teen struggling to reconcile her raging sexual drive with an evangelical upbringing, writes about making the film and her own life growing up lesbian in Chile.

Commentary Op-ed: An Open Letter to Mitch Mayne on Living Openly

Republican presidential candidate Fred Karger responds to criticism about his views on Mormonism made on Advocate.com by an openly gay San Francisco executive secretary of the LDS Church.

Commentary Advice: When Hotels Aren’t Welcoming

When a gay couple isn’t treated like the straight guests, it isn’t always obvious. Is it better to let the slight slide or to speak up?

Photography Artist Spotlight: Kelli Connell
Connell's dual portraits create tiny moments packed with so much feeling that the fantastic technical work seems to disappear.

Comedy Best Tweet Ever: Come Out, Come Out
Also this week on Gaysayer’s Best Tweet Ever: The Golden Globes, Paula Deen, and Morgan Freeman’s best costar.

Arts and Entertainment Hot Sheet
The top 10 entertainment highlights on our gaydar this week: Ross Mathews takes over, Mrs. Danvers fondles again, while Halston and Carol Channing get documented.

Travel Gayest Cities in America, 2012
It's no secret that megalopolises New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles have robust LGBT life — and we've even heard tell of little queer hoods like the Castro and P-Town. This isn't that list.

Business Best Companies List: Who Is on Your Side?
The Human Rights Campaign released its newly updated Corporate Equality Index today. Here's the complete list of companies that scored 100% for being LGBT-friendly.