She was ready. She had no idea that tomorrow morning Victoria would try to destroy everything. Thursday morning, 900 a.m. Day of finals. Dian's phone buzzed with an email notification.
The subject line made her stomach drop. Urgent ethics violation complaint. Response required by 200 p.m. Her hands shook as she opened it. Contestant number 32, Tiana Turner, age 10, engaged in copyright infringement through unlicensed cover songs posted on Soundcloud under alias Riverkid from ages 7 to 10.
Per competition rules, section 7.3, contestants must demonstrate ethical conduct and legal compliance. Additionally, evidence suggests lack of parental supervision of minors online activity. Recommend immediate disqualification pending documentation of proper licensing for all posted content. Deadline for documentation 2 p.m. today, June 15th. Finals begin 700 p.m.
Finals. Signed Brian Michaels, competition coordinator. Diane read it three times, each time understanding less and more simultaneously. They were using her baby's practice. 3 Years of a child finding her voice as a weapon.
She called Tiana's school immediately. Emergency. I need my daughter now. 20 Minutes later, they sat at their small kitchen table. Tiana crying.
Diane trying to stay calm while her own hands trembled. Mama, I didn't know. I was just practicing. I never made money. I just wanted Baby.
I know. I know. This isn't your fault. But Diane's mind was racing. How did they even find out?
Who looked up a 10-year-old's practice videos? Who cared enough to destroy a child's chance? She knew the answer. Victoria. Diane called the competition office.
Brian answered on the third ring, his voice guilty before he even said hello. Miss Turner, look, it's policy. She was seven when she started posting. A child. She was practicing.
I understand, but the rules require proper licensing for all posted content. You have until 2 p.m. to provide documentation proving all 53 covers were legally licensed or she's disqualified. I'm sorry. You're not sorry. Victoria put you up to this, didn't she?
Silence on the line. Then I have to follow the rules, Miss Turner. This is because she's black and poor and she beat your favorite. Don't lie to me. 2 P.m.
Miss Turner, documentation required. He hung up. Diane stared at her phone. It was 9:47 a.m. She had 4 hours and 13 minutes to obtain legal documentation that didn't exist, couldn't exist for a child's practice videos posted before she even understood what copyright meant.
She called free legal aid, voicemail, 3-we wait for appointments. She searched Google frantically. Child posted covers online legal help. The results were contradictory, confusing, useless. She posted in three Facebook mom groups.