“American Idol” is getting an earful from alum Michael Simeon Smith.
Smith filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, claiming that part of his eardrum was pulled out while preparing to perform on the singing competition.
In the suit, filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Smith claims that he entered into a contestant agreement with the show in December 2014.
In preparation for competing on the show, Smith claims, he was to be fitted for an earpiece. Unfortunately, the suit claims, after the molding material was placed in Smith’s right ear, he “immediately felt pain” and asked for the material to be removed.
As the material was “forcefully pulled” from Smith’s ear, the suit claims,”a portion of Plaintiff’s eardrum was removed. Blood began to come out of Plaintiff’s ear. Plaintiff was moved to a separate room, and left there for several hours.”
Since then, the suit claims, Smith has had to undergo medical treatment, and “has not been able to perform music at the same level as prior to the incident, due to the absence of much of his eardrum.”
TheWrap has reached out to former “Idol” producer Fremantle, one of the many defendants named in the suit, for comment.
Alleging negligence and other counts, Smith is seeking unspecified damages.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.