19 Entertainment, American Idol's parent company, agreed to pay the State of New York a $5,000 fine for breaking the state's child labor laws earlier this summer.  American Idol singers Jordin Sparks and Sanjaya Malakar, both of whom are under 21, were cited.  Neither Malakar or Sparks had acquired the proper work permits.  The American Idol tour held four dates in the State of New York in August and September.  19 Entertainment was held totally responsible, and there should be further trouble for the singers or 19 Entertainment.

It's hard to believe that the people at 19 Entertainment weren't aware of these child labor laws in New York.  They've had underage performers numerous times before, and it makes you wonder if they've always declined to acquire the necessary paperwork.  $5,000 isn't a whole lot to a franchise like American Idol, but what's a little paperwork? 

I've always personally had a problem with labor laws being enforced for concerts.  It's not the spirit of the law, which prohibits children from performing arduous physical labor.  If someone wants to perform in front of thousands of fans, they should be allowed, no matter how old they are.  This issue comes up more often for international performers.  Just in the last year, there have been countless concerts canceled across the US because foreigners weren't granted work permits fast enough.  How dumb is that?  This recently happened to two artists from the UK, MIA and Lily Allen, who had to cancel numerous stateside concerts.  For something like music, bureaucracy shouldn't have this much of an effect. 

It is unclear whether this fine will pave the way for other fines from states the American Idol tour visited this summer.  My guess is probably not.  The American Idol tour is somewhat of a cash cow and states won't want to do anything that would jeopardize the tour from returning in the future. 


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: E! Online
(Image Courtesy of FOX)