Labelle Appalled By Hurtful American Idol Comments

R&B legend PATTI LABELLE has warned AMERICAN IDOL judges to be more careful in the comments they pass on wannabe singers because some remarks are so hurtful, they could make contestants suicidal.

The 65 year old recently tuned in to watch the reality contest but was disgusted by the nasty language used by the judging panel, which features music mogul Simon Cowell, producer Randy Jackson, songwriter Kara DioGuardi and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres.

LaBelle claims she was previously approached to appear on the programme before singer/dancer Paula Abdul joined the show in 2002.

She turned down the offer but insists certain members of the panel nowadays are “not qualified” to criticise, reports the Associated Press.

She says, “Some of the judges, I don’t think they’re qualified to even judge. The comments that were made, they could make you like, wanna kill yourself.”

The Lady Marmalade singer instead advises budding stars to have more belief in their talents.

She adds, “If you believe in yourself, just go for it. What do you have to lose? And when people tell you ‘You can’t', you have to say, ‘I can’.”