'American Idol' Producers Threaten Legal Action Over Josiah Leming's Album - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-30-2008, 11:07 PM

Bosses of hit TV talent contest American Idol are threatening legal action against a contestant who is due to release an album with a rival record company.

Participants in the reality show are tied in to contracts promising only to record music with the program's associate label, Sony/BMG.

But Josiah Leming, who appeared in the 2007 series but failed to make it into the top 24, has signed a deal with Warner Records and his debut album is due to hit shops in January.

However, the 19-year-old, who was homeless when he appeared on the series, may be forced to scrap plans to launch his pop career - he has received a letter from American Idol chiefs, threatening legal action if he goes ahead with releasing the LP.

Leming's representative tells New York Post gossip column PageSix, "Josiah was the only Idol contestant ever to get a record deal who didn't make the top 24, and one of only four contestants to get a deal this year. He has personal reasons for getting his music out, threat or not.

"His mother has terminal cancer, and nothing is going to stop him from getting his music out while she is alive to share it. His album on Warner Records will be released in late January '09."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

MusicJunkie · 10-31-2008, 04:38 AM

well, what's it going to hurt? Sony obviously has no interest in giving him a chance

Karen* · 11-02-2008, 05:41 AM

That's so sad. I didn't like Josiah on the show and I still don't, but to threaten that kind of legal action against him, especially when he didn't even make the top 24, is outrageous.

Chocoholic · 11-06-2008, 04:46 PM

I agree. He didn't make the Top 24, so why can't he go with the record company he chooses?

TJL · 11-06-2008, 05:36 PM

Apparently the AI folks haven't made enough money from the fans. Now they want a piece of everyone who ever had anything to do with that show.

80sTrivia · 11-06-2008, 07:05 PM

Pretty shady thing to do to the poor guy... I would hope the case would be thrown out of court by a judge with compassion...

10-30-2008, 11:07 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'American Idol' Producers Threaten Legal Action Over Josiah Leming's Album Bosses of hit TV talent contest American Idol are threatening legal action against a contestant who is due to release an album with a rival record company. Participants in the reality show are tied in to contracts promising only to record music with the program's associate label, Sony/BMG. But Josiah Leming, who appeared in the 2007 series but failed to make it into the top 24, has signed a deal with Warner Records and his debut album is due to hit shops in January. However, the 19-year-old, who was homeless when he appeared on the series, may be forced to scrap plans to launch his pop career - he has received a letter from American Idol chiefs, threatening legal action if he goes ahead with releasing the LP. Leming's representative tells New York Post gossip column PageSix, "Josiah was the only Idol contestant ever to get a record deal who didn't make the top 24, and one of only four contestants to get a deal this year. He has personal reasons for getting his music out, threat or not. "His mother has terminal cancer, and nothing is going to stop him from getting his music out while she is alive to share it. His album on Warner Records will be released in late January '09." (This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)
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11-02-2008, 05:41 AM	#3
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	That's so sad. I didn't like Josiah on the show and I still don't, but to threaten that kind of legal action against him, especially when he didn't even make the top 24, is outrageous.
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11-06-2008, 05:36 PM	#5
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Apparently the AI folks haven't made enough money from the fans. Now they want a piece of everyone who ever had anything to do with that show.
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11-06-2008, 07:05 PM	#6
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Pretty shady thing to do to the poor guy... I would hope the case would be thrown out of court by a judge with compassion...
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10-31-2008, 04:38 AM	#2
MusicJunkie Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 23, 2008 Location: where I live Posts: 791	well, what's it going to hurt? Sony obviously has no interest in giving him a chance

11-06-2008, 04:46 PM	#4
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I agree. He didn't make the Top 24, so why can't he go with the record company he chooses?