Can anyone help me if I can file a case??

[lynbernardo]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

I need help on this if I could file a case or complaint to proper authorities or file a lawsuit to this promotions company. I joined a karaoke singing contest at the Harvest Fest 09 in Palmdale even though I came from the Valley and I was one of the very first people who made it to the semi-finals (modest aside, I was even the best in my group on the first preliminary round which was held at Ginza Restaurant and have the video proof of that round). The semi-finals was held in their amphitheatre were all 19 contestants battled and whoever picked will be moved to the finals the next day. I performed well that day and sang my heart out but was totally surprised to hear that I didn't make it to the finals and to think, there were 9 finalists who got picked and some of those 9 sang out of key and not even good in singing BUT they still made it. Me, being a lead vocalist of a corporate band (which the organizers knew all along) was NOT given the opportunity to move on to the finals and I felt humiliated and disriminated as well since I was the only Asian in the group of semi-finalists so I wrote to the organizers and asked them why I was not included in the finals to think they know my vocal prowess as well as my capability among others since it's a singing contest. I got a response from the organizer and he said that I did good and performed well but it was my "attire" somehow that affected my score, which is also part of the judging process so I asked him - ATTIRE?? I was presentable that day and didn't notice anything wrong with my attire since I know how to dress up on occasions (since i am part of a corporate band) and the song I did, which was a song by Journey in the 80's somehow didn't match my attire = can you believe that? I reasoned out that this is NOT the only basis of judging the contestants, there are other categories that we were judged too like vocal range, talent, stage presence, audience impact, so my attire should NOT be a great factor to take me off the finals, right? I told them that they are being biased or they have this pre-medidated, that they have their favorites especially local talents (and I came all the way from the Valley), because I saw some of the judges mingling, being friendly and sometimes doing hi-5's with some of the contestants there and told them that judges are NOT suppose to be friendly or mingle with the contestants in front of other people. It's unethical especially if they're hosting a competition. And also, another thing the organizer pointed out too is I performed the same song that I did in the prelim, which should not be case because they didnt say I need a new song when they asked me which song I want to sing, they could have told me then before the show started. And even before the semi-final round, the organizer informed us that there will be 3 new judges from the radio stations so I was hoping to show them the one that I blew everyone away when I performed that song. I told them if only they could have been more helpful or not having any favoritisms or pets in their competition, maybe they could have given me also a hint to favor the judges. I just felt INSULTED because of their lame excuses, much more that I think somehow they are fraudulent or scheming people. I felt sabotaged because they know I am going to win that contest, and I am NOT from Palmdale and I am also a part of the BAND, but they could have just told me that I somehow shouldn't join because I am already a pro, right? BUT NO, they let me go to the next round and showed what I got, but still HUMILIATED me in front of my family and friends, supporters and all other contestants too because they were hoping that I will be in the finals - so I really felt discriminated too because I am the only Asian in the group and it's defaming for my character knowing that I am already part of a band but somehow NOT included in the finals and few bad singers made it? Please help me! I need to give these people a lesson so they know I am really serious about what they did to me. I really felt insulted and embarrassed because of what they did to me in public!!! What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[Hot Topic]

Had you won, the judges would be sterling examples of honesty, integrity and above all, great taste. You thought you had the competition won going in. Now all you have is a case of "sour grapes."

Watch American Idol in January to see how many people who are positive they have great voices quickly prove to millions of people that they don't.

[quincy]

I agree with Hot Topic.

You may take heart, however, in the fact that history is filled with famous and successful people who have originally had their talent questioned and who have had their work rejected many many times.

To take Hot Topic's American Idol as an example, many of the "losers" on American Idol have become more successful than the winners. Justin Timberlake lost on Star Search. And even the Beatles were rejected by Decca Records in 1961 before finally finding a record company willing to take a chance on them.

Embarrassment, by the way, makes for a lousy basis for a lawsuit.

[lynbernardo]

thanks for your inputs but, just want to reiterate that I really didn't care if I win or not, it's not about that - it's all about the obviously manipulation that these organizers did just to get their own people win the contest. I have joined other competitions, win or lose, I gladly accepted them all but just this one that really insulted, maybe not only me, but few other contestants too who are better than those chosen to move to the finals. I have my proof since I video taped them so I still want to know if there's any chance at all to get back to this scheming promotions company???? thank you!!!

[quincy]

No. There is no legal way you can get back at the organizers. Talent is subjective.

[cbg]

Please tell me that you are not seriously suggesting that you should be able to sue because you didn't get picked as a finalist in a karaoke contest. You are seriously suggesting that everyone has to agree with YOUR estimation of your own abilities and that you can take legal action if they don't?

Now I've heard everything.

[lynbernardo]

So I guess I just have to keep quiet and accept that there are people out there who are scammers and I got duped! I think I'll just have to report them in some other way like BBB where we can file complaints....thanks!

[quincy]

Lynbernardo, was there an entry fee of any kind and/or a prize of money involved in this contest?

That could change my answer a bit.

If the contest is similar to an American Idol-style tryout, with a free try-out, and a free chance to perform, and a free but often-embarrassing elimination, however, my previous answer stands.

Also, I advise that you watch what you say about this organization. Calling them "scammers" without proof that they are operating a scam is defamatory and can get you sued. Proof, by the way, is not your video showing some performers suck and you don't.

[Hot Topic]

I suspect that all a reputable attorney would do is review your case and tell you that it would come off in court as "sour grapes" on your part. You would then receive a bill that would be considerably less than what you'd pay him or her when your case when to court and you lost. Which you would.

Newsflash, nightengale. The Better Business Bureau has no legal power to force the organizers to name you the winner or to put them out of business because you didn't win. All they can do is put your complaint on file in case anyone wants to look up the organizers. That person will then read your complaint and probably conclude that it's based on sour grapes.

[quincy]

I agree, Hot Topic, that this sounds like "sour grapes," but I can see where a scam could potentially occur if participants were charged an entry fee, with the promise of a monetary award should they win - and then the promotors collect the fees and award the prize to "one of their own."

Unlikely, definitely, but that is the only possible scam that I can see in this karaoke contest.

[lynbernardo]

Yes, I paid $5 entry fee and my people went in there $5 per person.

Originally Posted by quincy

Lynbernardo, was there an entry fee of any kind and/or a prize of money involved in this contest?

That could change my answer a bit.

If the contest is similar to an American Idol-style tryout, with a free try-out, and a free chance to perform, and a free but often-embarrassing elimination, however, my previous answer stands.

Also, I advise that you watch what you say about this organization. Calling them "scammers" without proof that they are operating a scam is defamatory and can get you sued. Proof, by the way, is not your video showing some performers suck and you don't.

[lynbernardo]

You are absolutely right, they charged $5 per contestant and the prize money is $1000 and that's what I really think - they put their own "winner" so they can get their prize money back but what you all say to me now is that I sound like "sour-graping" which is really TO BE HONEST not true. I am a very sport person and I know how to accept defeats but obviously these people manipulated their own contest that's why I am really upset, but like you all said, just get over it which I now did.....just learned a new lesson here not to trust all contests out there, just be more careful...

Originally Posted by quincy

I agree, Hot Topic, that this sounds like "sour grapes," but I can see where a scam could potentially occur if participants were charged an entry fee, with the promise of a monetary award should they win - and then the promotors collect the fees and award the prize to "one of their own."

Unlikely, definitely, but that is the only possible scam that I can see in this karaoke contest.

[quincy]

Whenever money is involved, the likelihood of a scam increases.

Your $5 investment in this contest was at least not too much for a valuable lesson learned. You should investigate the promoters of any contest to determine the genuineness of the contest before handing over any money to them.

The reason you would be wise to get over it and move on, as forum members here suggested you do and you now seem ready to do, is that any legal action you could take against the promoters would cost you a LOT more than the $5 you lost and the $1000 you could have won - and without solid and convincing proof that the winners of the contest were not legitimate winners and that the promoters were scamming participants, your odds of losing any lawsuit would be FAR greater than your odds of winning.

A karaoke contest with an entry fee seems to be a pretty good way to scam willing participants out of a few bucks, by the way, especially since the winner does not have to be good to have the contest seem legitimate. Some people liked American Idol's Sanjaya and bought William Hung's "She Bangs," for instance.

Talent, as I said, is subjective.