Ian Benardo’s lawsuit is as flamboyant as his outfits. (And I mean no disrespect.)
The former American Idol auditioner, who stormed the stage on the show’s live finale in May, is suing the reality show for a staggering — and giggle-inducing, honestly — $300 million.
Benardo, WENN.com reports, accuses Idol producers of exploiting his sexuality and urging him to “gay it up” when he burst onstage and interrupted Dane Cook while the comic performed in the Season 9 finale at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre. Benardo grabbed Cook’s microphone and verbally abused outgoing Idol judge Simon Cowell, bragging that he would replace Cowell because “I’m more entertaining that you.”
Turns out, the stunt was all an act forced upon Benardo, he says. Papers filed with the New York State Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Monday allege that he was invited to the finale where producers told him to be “outrageous” and “gay.”
After the stunt, Benardo says, Cook threatened him and Idol bosses informed him that he should leave the Nokia Theatre immediately. Bernardo is seeking damages for “emotional injuries and loss of employment opportunities.”
While I understand that the incident is unfortunate, I think $300 million is a little steep, even for American Idol.
Meanwhile, the show is in the midst of its Season 10 cross-county auditions.
Is this lawsuit frivolous or well-founded? greg@tvguide.ca or comment below.
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