American Idol Taking Legal Action Against Josiah Leming (Photos)

Oops, it looks like Josiah Leming is in trouble with the big guys at “American Idol”. Josiah Leming is set to release his album soon with a major label, but apparently a contract he signed with American Idol… even though he didn’t make it even to the final 24 forbids him to release his album. Read more on Josiah Leming below.

You may remember Josiah Leming on American Idol, a guy that was homeless and living out of his car. Well Leming recently announced last week that he will be releasing his major-label album with Warner Brothers’ Reprise Records will be out early 2009.

Undercover: Selections From Josiah Leming’s Album Debut, was debuted on Tuesday, but this might be the only music we’ll be hearing out of Josiah Leming if legal action is taken by the bigwigs at American Idol.

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Although Josiah Leming, 19, didn’t even make the top 24 of the American Idol show, he had signed a strict contract stating that he would only record with the “Idol preferred” Sony/BMG. Not only that, it gives the producer of AI, Simon Fuller, exclusive rights of refusal management and merchandising. So basically Leming’s deal could be a violation of this contract.

The Post reported on Thursday that Leming “received an official letter from ‘Idol’ threatening legal action if he puts out his record in January as planned.” E-mails requesting comment from Leming’s label had not been returned at press time; a representative for Fox (which broadcasts “Idol”) had no comment.

“Josiah was the only ‘Idol’ contestant ever to get a record deal who didn’t make the top 24, and one of only four contestants to get a deal this year,” an unnamed rep for Leming reportedly told the paper. “He has personal reasons for getting his music out, threat or not.”

Josiah Leming is one of eight children out of Tennessee. Leming has said he wants to get his album out and is “racing the clock” because his mother has terminal cancer and “nothing is going to stop him from getting his music out while she is alive to share it.” Reportedly, Leming’s lawyer has already responded to the “Idol” letter but hasn’t heard back yet.

Here’s a video of Josiah Leming:

Images: PR

Source: news

Posted by: Monya

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