American Idol is causing outrage among its fanbase once again as the last Black contestant and Platinum Ticket winner, Jay Copeland, is eliminated.
During Sunday’s Mother’s Day episode, Copeland sang two songs, Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” and Boyz II Men’s “A Song for Mama.” Both song choices wowed the judges, who continued to praise Jay as one of the standouts of the competition.
But as the votes rolled in, Jay and fellow soulful singer Christian Guardino were voted out of the competition as Fritz Hager, the last of the bottom three, was saved.
Fans, who have been expressing their anger with the series for its continued overlooking of Black talent, once again accused the show of not give yer another Black contestant a fair shot.
“This show just doesn’t like black folk number one,” wrote one viewer on Twitter. “And really the two people [Hager and country singer Noah Thompson] who had COVID and couldn’t be there got to go thru? Over Christian and Jay??”
#americanidol this show just doesn’t like black folk number one. And really the two people who had COVID and couldn’t be there got to go thru? Over Christian and Jay ??
— Kio (@KioMioRio) May 9, 2022
"Jay deserved to remain on Idol," wrote another. "The black contestants no longer get a fair opportunity on the show. He's a much better singer than all the remaining contestants. @AmericanIdol is now just a popularity contest. It no longer finds the best singers like it did in the earlier seasons."
Jay deserved to remain on Idol. The black contestants no longer get a fair opportunity on the show. He’s a much better singer than all the remaining contestants. @AmericanIdol is now just a popularity contest. It no longer finds the best singers like it did in the earlier seasons
— Fresh Ideas (@TriniVibe14) May 9, 2022
Copeland also posted about his exit on Instagram.
He wrote, “WHAT A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE! I’M SENDING NOTHING BUT LOVE TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! STAY TUNED FOR MY SINGLE “UNLONELY” RELEASING THIS FRIDAY!! ITS A BOP! HERES TO THE SUMMER AND NEW BEGINNINGS.”
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A lot of fan outcry has happened this season.
The fans’ refrain of accusing the show of mistreating its Black contestants picked back up early this season, when Aretha Franklin’s granddaughter was turned away from the chance to go to Hollywood. Other contestants, including Sir Blayke, Katyrah and Lady K have been let go later in the season.
