FANS have slammed Ryan Seacrest for skating over the issue of Caleb Kennedy, the contestant who was removed last week after a “racist” video emerged from his past.
The top five singer was eliminated after a video surfaced from his childhood where his friend donned a “KKK hood.”
Fans were displeased with how American Idol handled the scandal on this evening’s episode after Caleb, 16, resigned on Thursday.
At the opening of the show the host explained: “Caleb Kennedy won’t be competing so it’s down to the final four.”
Many took to Twitter to blame Ryan Seacrest for the quick announcement, instead of explaining the problematic nature of the video.
“What a huge surprise,” one fan shared, while a second wrote: “Seriously I don’t understand why all these people are just dismissing it and forgiving it when it isn’t their thing to forgive.”
“F**K YOU IDOL FOR RYAN JUST SAYING ‘CALEB ISNT HERE.’ YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID WHY AND YOU DO NOT TOLERATE HATE. BUT. HEY. YOU’RE REDNECK IDOL. SO WHY CHASTISE HATE TOO MUCH. JUST SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG. FOOLS,” another ranted tirelessly.
“So American idol completely dodged the issue tonight #calebkennedy#AmericanIdol,” a fourth complained.
Caleb and his family have faced serious criticism after a video surfaced earlier this week of the teenager sitting with a friend who was wearing a “KKK hood.”
The video, which was once featured on Caleb’s social media, was reposted by an unknown account on TikTok.
In a statement to the Herald-Journal, the singer’s mother Anita said that the video was recorded when Kennedy was just 12, after watching a horror movie.
“I hate this has happened and how Caleb is being portrayed by people online,” she shared.
“This video was taken after Caleb had watched the movie The Strangers: Prey at Night and they were imitating those characters.
“It had nothing to do with the Ku Klux Klan, but I know that’s how it looks. Caleb doesn’t have a racist bone in his body. He loves everyone and has friends of all races.”
After the video first resurfaced, Caleb issued his own apology to his fans as he revealed he would be leaving American Idol.
“Hey y’all, this is gonna be a bit of a surprise, but I am no longer gonna be on American Idol.
“There was a video that surfaced on the internet and it displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way.”
The reality star continued: “I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse. I wanna say sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down.
“I’ll be taking a little time off social media to better myself, but saying that, I know this has hurt and disappointed a lot of people and made people lose respect for me.
“I’m so sorry! I pray that I can one day regain your trust in who I am and have your respect! Thank you for supporting me.”
Did you miss our previous article...
https://thecelebreport.com/television/teen-mom-2-newbie-ashley-jones-celebrates-her-graduation-from-college-after-getting-engaged-to-baby-daddy-bar-smith
