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A former co-host has labelled the treatment of potential contestants on American Idol as "cruel."
Brian Dunkleman, 52, co-hosted the singing reality series alongside Ryan Seacrest in its first season back in 2002.
He described how he spent a lot of time getting to know the young people waiting to audition in front of then-judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson. Dunkleman claimed many came out of their auditions "bawling."
"You're spending a lot of time with these kids in the line, and you're getting to know them, you're getting to know their parents," the comedian told the Still Here Hollywood podcast.
"There was a stretch for an hour straight where kid after kid came, [and] every one of them was bawling. And I thought, 'What is going on?'"
Newsweek contacted American Idol representatives by email for comment.
Seeing their heartbreak was too much for Dunkleman who found a quiet place for himself and "just started crying."
"I don't know why it affected me so much. Maybe because I've auditioned so many times. I know how it's not easy. It's not easy to put yourself out there," he said.
Dunkleman then described one girl walk out of her audition with "dead eyes" after not passing to the next round. He explained her father had sold all of his tools to pay for her to get to the audition.
"I just didn't understand why that was necessary. But it was very, very cruel that first season," he claimed.
"And that's kind of what made the show such a hit, was how mean [former judge Cowell] was."
Dunkleman praised all three judges on a personal level, describing them as having a "great sense of humor" and saying he did not want to "bad mouth" anyone.
American Idol has been on air for 20 seasons and created some major stars, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, and Jennifer Hudson.
Seacrest continues to host the show, which wrapped its most recent season in May.
Singer Katy Perry bid farewell to her stint as judge after seven years but her replacement is yet to be announced.
"I love 'Idol' so much, it's connected me with the heart of America," the "California Gurls" singer said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in February after announcing she was leaving. "But I feel like I need to go out to feel that pulse of my own beat."
About the writer
Shannon Power is a Greek-Australian reporter, but now calls London home. They have worked as across three continents in print, ... Read more