Chris Stokes has announced a new online youtube talent contest called "Chris Stokes I Wanna Be A Star." Remember Chris Stokes? He's the manager behind Marques Houston, B2K and Omarion. Chris made his open call seeking singers,rappers, actors and dancers and anyone with talent. But, we can't help but feel like he should have called his reality show "I Wanna Be A Sucker." Chris Stokes explains why his contest is going to be better than "American Idol" and "Making the Band" in the video. Chris states. "I wanted to do a competition where everybody can have a chance it's about talent and that's what I'm looking for. Alot of people can't afford to do demos. Alot of people can't afford to pay for studio time. Alot of people can't afford to be developed. Anybody that follows the rules will qualify." Last December, Chris Stokes was accused in a youtube confession video of sexually abusing former B2K member Raz B and his brother Ricky Romance. In the video Chris Stokes’ response was, "I don't do that anymore, that was me years ago ... I just don't do that in my life anymore." Raz B and Ricky Romance recanted their story but many believe their retraction was coerced.
Chris did not mention any age range for"I Wanna Be A Star" contestants. Click here for the official rules. It was rumored that boy band hit maker Lou Pearlman who created The Backstreet Boys and NSYNC had a risque audition process reported in the Vanity Fair article "Mad About the Boys." Click here to learn more about Lou Pearlman's arrest.
Backstreet Boys creator had sex with boys in the band
"Some guys joked about it; I remember [one singer] asking me, 'Have you
let Lou blow you yet?'" says Steve Mooney, an aspiring singer who
served as Pearlman's assistant and lived in his home for two years. "I
would absolutely say the guy was a sexual predator. All the talent knew
what Lou's game was. If they say no, they're lying to you." source
It's a shame that talented people who don't have the money for a demo or studio time can still be exploited. Especially at a time when youtube has launched the careers of unknowns like Tay Zonday who scored the viral hit Chocolate Rain. Tay was featured in Dr. Pepper's commercial remake of his song Cherry Chocolate Rain.