‘American Idol’ Finalist Dimitrius Graham Cuffed on Train After Fare Dispute

Dimitrius Graham, a former finalist on American Idol, was arrested Sunday in Los Angeles and booked on a trespassing charge following an incident on an LA Metro train.

Video of the arrest shows officers handcuffing Graham as he questions what is happening. The singer, who also competed on The Voice, said his phone had died and he was unable to show proof of payment for his train fare. He claims he was not allowed to exit the train to purchase a physical ticket and was instead taken into custody.

Graham later shared the video on social media and said he was held in jail for about 24 hours. He alleged he lost a veneer and suffered a fractured wrist during the encounter, calling the situation “crazy” over what he says was a $1.75 fare he had already paid.

He also said he believes he was racially profiled, though he added that he does not personally blame the officers involved. Graham suggested police may be under pressure and said he hopes his experience encourages others to understand their rights.

The Los Angeles Police Department told TMZ that officers approached Graham because he was allegedly acting erratically and refused to leave the train when asked. According to LAPD, he only offered to buy a ticket after he was detained. Police said a use-of-force report was filed after Graham complained of pain, but a supervisor found no wrongdoing. A complaint alleging biased policing was also taken.

Graham rose to national attention in 2019 when he reached the Top 10 on Season 17 of American Idol. He later appeared on Season 27 of The Voice in 2025 as a member of singer Michael Bublé’s team, where he competed for several weeks before being eliminated during the battle rounds.