American Idol Producers Are Pressuring Contestants to Lose Weight

In what could be another “fat-gate” for American Idol, word online has it that producers are now forcing some of the more normal-sized contestants left standing to lose weight. James Durbin and Lauren Alaina are at the top of the list.

Some finalists are being told they need to eat less of their favorite foods and to spend more time at the gym, sweating those extra pounds right off, the latest print edition of the National Enquirer says (story via here).

Sources from backstage on AI tell the tab that gospel singer Jacob Lusk is the only one who hasn’t been told he needed to lose weight even though, by all appearances, he’s the heaviest of the lot.

Admittedly, producers considered having a sit-down with him on the topic of his weight, but they eventually realized it would be useless since he wouldn’t consent to it.

Not the same can be said about James and Laurent, though, who’ve already been “warned” they needed to get in better shape than they are now.

The first step is to eat less – and they’re also supposed to work out more in between rehearsals and live shows.

“The execs don’t want a dumpy looking Idol. They think that some of the contestants are a little too beefy, and they’re pushing for a few of them to shed some pounds,” an unnamed source tells the Enquirer.

“They want to make sure the winner will have a great look to go with the great voice,” adds the spy.

James was the first to be “advised” he needed to pay more attention to his physique, especially since he’s been looking rounder in the belly in recent weeks.

“James was told to lay off fattening appetizers and beer in order to get rid of the spare tire he’s acquired, but James [22] loves to eat big meals and constantly snacks on junk food…” the tipster explains.

Lauren, on the other hand, had already decided to lose weight when producers approached her on the topic: she gave up bread and potatoes after the show began, but she’s now supposed to “forgo her favorite cheesecake and spend more time in the gym between rehearsals.”