Ex-American Idol contestant Ju’Not Joyner threw a bombshell out during an interview with AI Live this week, saying the voting on the hit reality show was rigged, and the contracts contestants sign are akin to slave labor. Joyner claims the reason he was not brought back to the Wild Card round was disputes with producers over the contract. He says Idol contestants collectively were offered a lawyer that was chosen by the show, and he was discouraged from questioning the terms of the contract.

Joyner says that producers were also upset that he wouldn’t let them exploit his back story of being from the streets for the show’s ratings.

When asked about the eventual Idol winner last season, Joyner commented, "The producers know who they want and they slant it to reflect that. They fix it in a way that makes you surprised but it's still manipulated," he typed. "Think about it...Adam, Adam, Adam, then...Kris.

Joyner went on to say, "What I mean is that people think AI is a talent show. No. It's a reality show with writers. We're all actors. All these shows have writers that guide the public opinion. The Hills, Real World. All of them…Do you think a billion-dollar enterprise is subject to the whim of the public?"

"No one else is complaining because a lot of the contestants don't understand how this business works. They've never had record deals or seen a record contract...I have. So I knew what questions to ask. It's kinda like ignorance is bliss. Some contestants may have thought it was just cool to be on TV, but this is my career. I take this thing very seriously...Very few people spoke up. They saw me as the ringleader. I'm not naming names. Because I have nothing against the other Idols."

Who is to say what is fact and what is fiction in Joyner’s statements? He may just be looking to extend his 15 minutes of fame by bashing the hand that fed him, or he could be looking to shed light on the darker side of American Idol. In my experience, the truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. Regardless, his statements are interesting