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Frenchie Davis Supporters Claim Racial Bias on American Idol

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/american-idol/frenchie-davis-supporters-clai-4664.aspx

March 5, 2007

Remember Franchelle "Frenchie" Davis? She was booted from the 2003 edition of American Idol for having topless photos taken in her youth, which were not even available on the Internet anymore. So why did she get the boot when Antonella Barba is allowed to stay? Because she's black and Barba is white, say Davis' supporters, who are planning a protest on Tuesday morning at the American Idol Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

The "Anti-American-Idol" rally was organized by civil rights activist Najee Ali, of Project Islamic Hope, who says the producers are clearly biased. The protest promises to include unnamed "celebrities and community leaders" as well as Tarvenia Jones, a producer on American Idol in season one.

"They can't have a rule for white contestants and have [a] different rule for black contestants," Ali said.

Davis herself commented "I couldn't help but notice the manner in which she was dealt with was the complete opposite of how I was dealt with…I'm certainly not interested in pissing people off, but this is an unfairness that can't be ignored."

When Davis first started on American Idol, she was completely candid about her past and the topless pictures. While the producers didn't seem to have an issue with it at the time, they later kicked her off the show, saying it was a family program and she was unsuitable.

"It's obvious that it's a racial bias ... when you have a situation where a black contestant is punished and a similar situation happens to a white contestant and there is no punishment and they're allowed to continue on the show," said Ali.

Frenchie Davis is currently appearing in the Broadway production of Rent.