Reject Sues Idol for Gay Discrimination

Ian Benardo: Producers set me up to storm the stage
By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 28, 2010 8:58 AM CDT
Reject Sues Idol for Gay Discrimination
HOLLYWOOD - MAY 23: Ian Benardo arrives to the American Idol Season 6 Finale held at the Kodak Theatre on May 23, 2007 in Hollywood, California.   (Getty Images)

The American Idol reject who charged the stage during the show's 2010 finale says Idol producers encouraged his stunt, and is suing for $300 million for gay discrimination. Ian Benardo, a 2007 contestant, claims producers invited him back for the season finale, then pummeled him with "discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, insults and hostile and offensive comments" while pushing him to "act more faggy" for the May 26 finale, the New York Daily News reports.
(More Ian Benardo stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X