ABC is in “crisis mode” and considering putting Claudia Conway in the spotlight after her performance on “American Idol” has been branded “exploitative” because it seemed to capitalize on her serious struggles with her mother, Kellyanne Conway.
For months, Claudia, 16, documents her fleeting relationship with her mother, a former White House adviser to Donald Trump, on Tik Tok.
Things got so bad that police got involved last month after Claudia accused Kellyanne, 54, of leaking a nude photo of her (though she later recanted the charge).
This weekend, Claudia appeared on the talent show, with the network taking her center stage and featuring her in promos for the show. Kellyanne even appeared on the show via video to encourage her.
Critics have claimed the show uses the Conways’ struggles to boost ratings, while an article in Variety likened its appearance to “ malpractice, ” saying it’s “ shockingly wrong, ” the degree to which a child is at the center of a dispute that the public is being asked to launder the reputation of two adults [Kellyanne and her controversial politico husband George] who should know better. “
Now an insider tells us that the network is “rethinking how to position Claudia and Kellyanne through promotion. They were good at putting Claudia in all of the promos, but now they’re thinking about not putting that much thought into that … so as not to be that important to her presence on the show and focus on other contestants. “
ABC is also having problems with their series “The Bachelor” after host Chris Harrison apologized and resigned temporarily after giving an interview in which he appeared to condone alleged racist behavior by contestant Rachael Kirkconnell.
“Given everything with the ‘Bachelor,’ they don’t want any unnecessary attention or backlash,” says the source.
Claudia, who sang songs from Rihanna and Adele, moved on to the next round.
Meanwhile, a source close to the family says they don’t believe the show exploited her. “Claudia has been exploited by many people,” they said, “but not” American Idol. ” They noted that there are regular minors on the program and that they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. “Claudia wanted to do it,” says the source, who says the hubub “isn’t fair to Claudia. She worked very hard for her audition.”
In August, Claudia announced that she was “officially pursuing emancipation,” and last month released a TikTok video that appeared to show her mother verbally abusing her.
Then, last month, the topless photo appeared online, with Claudia saying, “I assume my mom took a picture of it to use against me one day and someone hacked her or something.” She later returned and said, “I know my mom would never post anything that would intentionally hurt me in such a way and I really believe she was hacked. I would like to apologize for making all of this public. “