Fox's American Idol is facing a lawsuit from 10 former contestants who claim they were eliminated from the competition because of their race.

TMZ reported on Wednesday that attorney James H. Freeman filed a petition on behalf of 10 black men who auditioned for the show. The men claim they were kicked off of the TV series because of their race. According to legal document, American Idol capitalized off of the contestant's history of arrests for publicity. Freeman claims Idol portrayed his clients as "violent criminals, liars, and sexual deviants," Freeman wrote in his request.

The 10 men Freeman is representing appeared on the show from season 2 through season 6. Eight out of the 10 have been arrested prior to their auditions on Idol but were never convicted. Freeman noted that the men were questioned about their pasts, but their white counterparts were not.

According to TV Guide, Freeman said the questioning is a violation of the California employment laws, because his clients were applying for "employment" with Idol, making it illegal for the show's staff to ask about their arrest histories.

The former contestants were arrested for a variety of offenses, including possession of marijuana, endangering the welfare of a child, driving while drunk and identity theft. One complainant was caught driving a car while drunk, as the show filmed him for a segment.

One of the men, who has never been arrested, said he was cut from the competition because he questioned the show's contract. Another of the former contestants said he was eliminated, because the show's producers learned he had issues with a previous recording contract.

The lawsuit comes as a shock to many, because four of the show's winners in the last 12 seasons were African-American: Ruben Studdard, Fantasian Barrino, Jordin Sparks and last season's winner, Candice Glover.

Here are the names of the 10 contestants that filed the lawsuit for racism:

Corey Clark (Season 2)

Jaered Andrews (Season 2)

Jacob John Smalley (Season 2)

Donnie Williams (Season 3)

Terrell Brittenum and Derrell Brittenum (Season 5): twin brothers

Thomas Daniels (Season 6)

Akron Watson (Season 6)

Ju'Not Joyner (Season 8)

Chris Golightly (Season 9)

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American Idol