A History of Bullying and Humiliation on 'American Idol'

As if the popular talent competition is not getting enough bad press, one of the most famous cast-offs, who became a star on her own despite not being chosen as a finalist, speaks about the mental tortures that candidates are usually put through on the set of 'American Idol'.

Jennifer Hudson is a name known to most people today but that didn't happen, like in other cases, because she had won the 'American Idol' contest. Instead, Jennifer became a star after being cast for the part of Effie White in 'Dreamgirls', a movie that revealed her true potential and brilliant vocal skills, to which the judges on Fox's pet show were obviously blind.

In recent weeks, 'Idol' has held all the headlines for the way the three judges treat people who audition and for their not so polite comments, which often revolve around the potential candidates' physical appearances or way of dressing. It has also been suggested that the judges might choose the winner of the contest by standards that are not quite objective, seeing that they totally disregarded Jennifer's powerful and amazing voice, back when she was a contestant.

But she doesn't hold any grudges. After picking up an Emmy for best supporting actress and an Oscar nomination in the same category, Jennifer finally opens up about what it meant for her to be on 'American Idol'. Her story is not exactly what we get to see on TV, it is not the wonderful experience of a person who has nothing else to do than prove her worth and who, above all, has got absolutely nothing to lose.

In a recent interview with 'Essence' magazine, Miss Hudson reveals that what we see on the audition tapes is the same way in which the judges treat the finalists too. That means: bullying, insulting, harmful and demeaning words aimed at the contestants. Their purpose is to make the finalists feel like they don't deserve to be on television, like they're supposed to be thankful they were given such a huge chance, even if they truly deserve it.

'On “American Idol”, you go through this mental thing; you've got to get yourself back together. You've been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think.', Jennifer explained. She then elaborated on that by adding that all the contestants end up by becoming 'characters' who have nothing to do with who they really are. She, for instance, was 'the character in the turkey wrapping'.

With time, Jennifer has forgotten all that and, most important, she has forgiven the three people who treated her this way. 'I don't believe in looking back, and I didn't look back', she added. By the end of February, when she will most likely win her first Oscar, 'American Idol' will probably be just like a bad dream for Hudson.