A gay rights group in the US has criticised Simon Cowell over comments he made about contestants on talent show American Idol. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said it had contacted broadcaster Fox to voice concerns over the remarks.
In the first episode of the show's latest series, Cowell apparently told a male contestant to "wear a dress" whilst fellow judge Randy Jackson was heard to ask another contestant: "Are you a girl?", provoking the group's worries over the show's attitude to gender issues. Spokesman Damon Romine explained: "Last week we heard and voiced concerns about the 18 January edition of American Idol - specifically, the producers' decision to turn a contestant's gender expression into the butt of a joke. We've spoken with Fox and have entered into what we hope will be a productive, ongoing conversation about the show's representation and discussion of sexual orientation and gender expression."
No comment from Fox.