American Idol contestant sues reality show over ‘wage theft’ and claims she was turned into a ‘laughing stock’-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Normandy Vamos auditioned for the 2020 edition of the show (Picture: ABC via Getty Images)

American Idol star Normandy Vamos has filed a class action suit against the ABC reality programme over pay.

The 30-year-old auditioned for the juggernaut series, which is hosted by Ryan Seacrest, back in 2020, performing Tina Turner’s hit Proud Mary.

The Baltimore native filed a lawsuit on Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming the Simon Fuller-created show treated her like an employee but deprived her of compensation.

She claims that she was expected to wait on standby for up to 15 hours a day for eight consecutive days in a Hollywood hotel without pay.

Her team also argues that by the time they arrived at the accommodation, the contestants should, under California law, have been compensated as employees because their performances had the potential to air on American Idol,

Vamos is suing for failure to pay overtime wages, failure to pay minimum wage, and failure to provide uninterrupted rest periods among other complaints.

The singer also alleges she was made a ‘laughing stock’ in the audition process with producers ‘orchestrating segments full of ridicule’ from judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

Vamos claims show bosses instructed her to leave the hotel and drive home to retrieve a carrot-shaped purse she owns.

The reality TV star explains the purse  played a ‘prominent role’ in the audition and alleged the contrast between her outfit and lower-pitched singer voice ‘provided plenty of material for the judges to pick apart.’

Katy Perry has been a judge on American Idol (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Reality TV isn’t always real. There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes,’ Vamos said. ‘Myself and hundreds of people worked about a week with no pay. 

‘I think a lot of reality TV participants aren’t aware that they have rights.’

Chantal Payton, Vamos’ attorney, claims that American Idol’s producers ‘exploit ambitious young performers’ because ‘they may be eager for a shot at becoming the next Jennifer Hudson or Carrie Underwood.’

They continued: ‘Vamos and other performers who create content for American Idol have rights as employees, but the producers have chosen to ignore those rights. 

More: Trending

‘They treated them as so-called volunteers when in reality they are employees who should be paid.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Fremantle, Sony Pictures and ABC for comment.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Rita Ora dazzles in crimson on stage for American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women

MORE : Sam Smith genuinely accused of ‘trying to upset Americans’ with ‘satanic’ Grammys performance

Follow Metro on Snapchat

You can follow our new Snapchat show Pop Cultur’d, the go-to place for all things pop culture.

Keep up with the latest Showbiz exclusives by following Metro Showbiz on Snapchat.

And football fans can indulge in all the transfer gossip and more on Metro Football on Snapchat.

Entertainment – MetroRead More