You can accuse American Idol of many things – devious manipulation of the young, inflicting bad music on the masses, bad hair – but can American Idol be called homophobic?
That’s what an American gay rights group, the Gay And Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), is claiming, after Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson made a number of dubious remarks on the first show of the new American Idol series. Simon Cowell homophobic? That’s weird, because we always assumed that… oh, never mind.
American Idol is the number one show in America at the moment. The
public, it seems, can’t get enough of watching Simon Cowell, Randy
Jackson and Paula Abdul (CDs) being rude to a stream of youngsters with
delusional ambitions of becoming famous singers.
However, it’s a thin line between cheeky fun rudeness and
out-and-out homophobic rudeness, as Simon Cowell and American Idol are
beginning to find out. Gay rights group GLAAD has criticised the show
after scenes were broadcast of Simon Cowell telling a male contestant
to "wear a dress" and Randy Jackson asking another: "Are you a girl?"
before the contestant burst into tears and The Crying Game started
playing in the background. GLAAD spokesperson Damon Romine says:
"Last week we heard and voiced concerns about the 18
January edition of American Idol – specifically, the producers’
decision to turn a contestant’s gender expression into the butt of a
joke. We’ve spoken with Fox and have entered into what we
hope will be a productive, ongoing conversation about the show’s
representation and discussion of sexual orientation and gender
expression."
It’s
strange, you’d think that American Idol would encourage gay male
performers. After all, that’d leave less people for Paula Abdul to cop
off with.
Read more:
Gay rights group attack Cowell – BBC
[story by Stuart Heritage]
david conover says
I am a gay male and watch american idol every week. I do not understand how anyone thinks this show is homophobic or that simon cowell and randy jackson are either. Come on, as a gay male I would make comments about some of the people that come on that show also. Some of those people look and act like fools. Simon and Randy can not help if some of those guys that come on belt it out and sound like women. All in all – I think American Idol is the least homophobic show around….they are going for an audition, not a stage show….
kimberly clark says
How can Simon back a generic talent like Leona Lewis who has obviously had a nose job, and then throw his backing to Kris Allen after a season of gay baiting “Too Rocky Horror” Adam Lambert? Gays can’t change in a plastic surgeon’s office. Simon needs to go. I got a message that this message has been posted before. Another fraud. I just found this site. Plastic Surgery will never make someone more Talented. Adam is the real thing no a product of Dr. 90210. Is that more original, Simon?