'American Idol' Voting Racist, Elton John Says
Three Black Women Get Lowest Amount Of Votes Last Week
UPDATED: 11:23 am EDT April 28, 2004
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Legendary performer Elton John is taking to task the voting viewership that voted off a black performer last week on "American Idol."
According to Reuters News Service, John called the voting process "incredibly racist" at a press conference in New York Tuesday, because of the low vote tallies that appeared to constantly target performers Jennifer Hudson, La Toya London and Fantasia Barrino."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," said John at Radio City Music Hall, where he was touting an upcoming concert where he'll be a backed by an orchestra of students.Hudson, La Toya London and Barrino were considered by many as the frontrunners of the final seven contestants of the competition, but were informed at the end of the program last week by host Ryan Seacrest that they had received the least votes.Seacrest reminded the audience that the show is not a popularity contest, but a show that is supposed to recognize talent. Hudson ultimately got the hook.According to Reuters, the show usually gets over 20 million votes per round.John said the three women have great voices, Reuters reported, and the fact that they consistently finished in the bottom three raised his suspicions."I don't want to set myself up here -- but I find it incredibly racist," John said at the news conference.John was featured in pre-recorded segments earlier this month on "American Idol;" the finalists performed his songs."Idol" network Fox declined comment on John's remarks, Reuters said.
According to Reuters News Service, John called the voting process "incredibly racist" at a press conference in New York Tuesday, because of the low vote tallies that appeared to constantly target performers Jennifer Hudson, La Toya London and Fantasia Barrino."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," said John at Radio City Music Hall, where he was touting an upcoming concert where he'll be a backed by an orchestra of students.Hudson, La Toya London and Barrino were considered by many as the frontrunners of the final seven contestants of the competition, but were informed at the end of the program last week by host Ryan Seacrest that they had received the least votes.Seacrest reminded the audience that the show is not a popularity contest, but a show that is supposed to recognize talent. Hudson ultimately got the hook.According to Reuters, the show usually gets over 20 million votes per round.John said the three women have great voices, Reuters reported, and the fact that they consistently finished in the bottom three raised his suspicions."I don't want to set myself up here -- but I find it incredibly racist," John said at the news conference.John was featured in pre-recorded segments earlier this month on "American Idol;" the finalists performed his songs."Idol" network Fox declined comment on John's remarks, Reuters said. Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
