A woman who auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” in New York has filed a lawsuit claiming that new show host Tyra Banks tried to “physically manipulate” her daughter.
via NYDN:
The woman, identified as Jane Doe in a complaint filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, has sued Marathon Productions after she says daughter Mary faced emotional distress.
Doe, who called herself a singer-songwriter and identified husband John Doe as a guitarist, producer and recording engineer, said the couple performed several songs as an audition, including an original song she wrote about her daughter, which she said Mary asked them to perform.
The family then flew out to Los Angeles in March to film the show, at which point Doe claims Marathon tried to enter into a contract with Mary, a minor, without her parents’ consent or supervision, according to the court filings.
Doe then claimed that show host Tyra Banks insisted Mary look “embarrassed and annoyed” by the performance and went as far as to shake the girl’s shoulder, pull her hair back and “physically manipulate her.”
“Banks also insinuated that Mary was accidentally conceived, made fun of the performance and ridiculed (the) song in front of Mary,” according to the lawsuit.
Mary was allegedly left “traumatized and became deeply depressed.”
The lawsuit claims intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, as well as civil battery and civil assault.
So, here’s what this sounds like to US: It sounds like like Mary auditioned for the show — wasn’t good, but made for good TV — and got asked to film the show in Los Angeles. When Mary and her mom arrived, she was more than likely asked to sign the proper releases. After Mary performed in Los Angeles, she probably received some harsh criticism (after all, it IS a talent show) and got upset. Mary’s parents also probably got upset.
Tyra then probably came in to give one of her usual ‘motivational talks’ and touched the little girl’s shoulder & pulled her hair out of her face (probably while talking about being confident) — and now the parents are trying to sue for a quick come-up.
