American Idol: Been Sued For Racism, Discrimination

A contingent of nine former American Idol contestants have come together to plan a lawsuit against the Fox hit, accusing it of a racist conspiracy to enhance ratings.

Lawyer James H. Freeman has filed a letter, obtained by TMZ, that seeks permission from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to file said suit on behalf of clients from a number of Idol seasons.

In the document, Freeman says producers have expelled 10 total singers from the show… and every single one of them has been African-American.

Freeman accuses the competition of a "cruel and inhumane" plot to exploit black hopefuls and then embarrass them during the background check portion of the show when contestants are asked if they have ever been arrested.

This is a violation of Calfornia employment law, the letter states.

Moreover, according to Freeman, none of these disqualified contestants were ever convicted of the crimes that led to their ousting, "yet their personal and professional lives remain permanently and severely impaired by [the show's] continuing violations of our nation's laws."

Three African-Americans - Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino and Jordin Sparks - have won the American Idol title over the years, while producer Nigel Lythgoe says of the allegations:

"We treat everybody the same ... no matter the race, religion or sex.