Sanjaya Malakar, Jordin Sparks - Tour firm slammed over underage 'American Idols'

Tour firm slammed over underage 'American Idols' (NY Daily News)

Having kids sing for screaming crowds might not be the same as having them make sneakers in a sweatshop - but the people who run the "American Idols Live Tour '07" broke child labor laws just the same, the state Labor Department said.

The company, 19 Touring LLC, which runs the national "Idols" live tour, failed to get the proper permits to hire and feature "Idol" winner Jordin Sparks and tousled crooner Sanjaya Malakar, the department told the Daily News yesterday.

Under the settlement - the first under the New York State Child Performer Labor Law - the company agreed to pay $5,000 in fines after being confronted with 16 violations.

The "American Idols Live" tour hit the stage in New York on five dates: Aug. 23 in Rochester; Aug. 24 and 25 at the Nassau Coliseum; Aug. 30 in Albany, and Sept. 2 in Syracuse.

Sparks, who performed songs such as "I (Who Have Nothing)" and "She Works Hard for the Money" on the TV show, is 17. Fan sensation Malakar, known for his rendition of "You Really Got Me," turned 18 on Sept. 10 but was 17 during the New York tour dates.

The Child Performer Law also mandates that at least 15% of what children earn goes into a trust fund where it is held for them until they turn 18.

Didn't they have under 18 performers also last year? I guess Fox decided to just pay the fine instead of dealing with all the paperwork.

Jordin Sparks is 17! Sanjaya Malakar is a fan sensation!