Though Season 12 has already crowned its winner, American Idol is back in headlines. This time, for the wrong reasons.

Ten former American Idol contestants have teamed up to sue the show racial discrimination. The contestants claim the show targeted black contestants' criminal records in an effort to "scandal-monger Nielsen ratings while reinforcing the age-old stereotype of the 'black criminal.'"

The suit aims to claim $250 million [$25 million per contestant] from the show and credits Fox, Fremantle, show producer Nigel Lythgoe, Coca-Cola, Ford, and other parties as responsible for the racial discrimination.  

"A staggering thirty-one percent (31%) of every American Idol Semi-Finalist contestant [Top 24, Top 36-40] who happened to be a young Black male was disqualified from the singing competition for reasons wholly unrelated to their singing talent. Even though there were three (3) times as many White (or non-black) contestants featured on American Idol over the course of ten years, there has never been a single White (or non-black) contestant disqualified from American Idol - not ever."

Corey Clark is one of the 10 outspoken Idol alums. Fans remember Clark after he was sent packing after the show caught wind of his criminal history, which includes battery and resisting arrest. While Clark's alleged affair with former American Idol judge Paula Abdul was dismissed, claims that the show is racist continue to build steam.

Fox and the show have yet to comment on the pending lawsuit.