Celebrity Justice
Mickey Doesn't Wear Turbans!

Mouse ears don't grow on turbans, according to a Sikh trumpeter who says he got negged for a job by Disney because of his religious headgear -- and facial hair.

In his suit, Sukhbir Channa says when he applied for a job at Disney World in 2006, he was told his turban, beard, and long hair didn't conform to the "Disney look." Here's the goofy part: just a few months before, in 2005, he says he marched as a toy soldier in a Disney parade with no problems-- but then his turban was hidden by a big toy soldier hat.

Disney tells TMZ that Channa's claim is "without merit."

Tags: Disney World, DisneyWorld, Mickey Mouse, MickeyMouse

Reader Comments

(Page 9 of 10) Previous 15 Comments | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

121. for comment number 6..LinDA?!...why r u even talking about muslims again??

Posted at 11:30PM on Jun 25th 2008 by Ivy

122. Just because someone wheres a turban it does not make him a terrorist. If the turban can be adapted to not interfere with the costume, he should be able to wear it. I'm sure Disney would not be discriminating if he wanted to wear a yarmulka or had the forelocks/beard that go along with being a hasidic jew. This is just another example of out country discrimiating against Arabs.

Posted at 9:52AM on Jun 17th 2008 by s

123. To all you muslim types explaining your religion to us, here's a news flash. WE REALLY DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ASS about your explanations of your religions or their practices so get over yourselves. We are a Christian country!!! This is why our dollar bill says "In God We Trust" not Allah. Go back to your precious middle east and STAY THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 10:17AM on Jun 17th 2008 by Ava

124. Hey Sara, F. U.

Posted at 10:42AM on Jun 17th 2008 by Linda

125. To #25 Lauren - while I agree with you on the fact that most who post here do not do their research, nor do they understand World Religion, BUT.. Sikh or not, Disney has the RIGHT to have a dress code and ENFORCE it. It's Disney World. Clean Cut is their middle name. There are many other jobs out there - this isn't the only game in town, or in Florida for that matter. I'm a corporate lawyer for a huge coporation in Florida - and hire everyone - within our dress code! And I can tell you from PERSONAL experience - people will sue a company over nothing for a PAYCHECK. It's almost always a baseless and frivolous suit.

Posted at 10:46AM on Jun 17th 2008 by M.D.

126. He is WRONG plain and simple!
I do NOT want or need a Religous lesson on TMZ!
Find another job!

Posted at 10:52AM on Jun 17th 2008 by lala

127. This site should learn how to use Google and do some research before they spew hate all over this blog...

Posted at 11:14AM on Jun 17th 2008 by raman

128. I believe him, Disney has a history of discrimination. I have 3 friends who did internships at Disney and all 3 witnessed certain discriminatory acts, firsthand. Disney used to hassle people who had a 'hippie' look, but I guess, now, that's the least of their concerns. Disney Corp. truly does suck. They want a vanilla type of clientele.

Posted at 11:16AM on Jun 17th 2008 by Boston Kate

129. 14. 6. Why should We American's, non Muslims change for Anyone???????
Don't apply for those Jobs then You Idiot!!!!!!!

Americans are so ignorant. the guy's not even Muslim. and all the terrorist comments.... get a life people. Just beacuse he wears a turban doesnt make him a terrorist. He probably wears a turban for religious reasons.
Although i do agree since Disneyland has the dress code, and if that dress code goes against his religious beleifs he should get a job elsewhere. He could shave his beard since he shaves it anyways.

Posted at 11:32AM on Jun 17th 2008 by sarah

130. First of all most of you making these dumb comments don't even know what happened At Disney World that year. I worked with him and know that he was hired and told that he could work in the parades and the atmospheric shows as long as he wore a red Turbin to accompany the red beret that everyone else was wearing. We were musicians at Disney, it's not like we worked at the toy store. He was hired with all of our bosses knowing he couldn't shave his beard, cut his hair, or remove his turbin. He learned all of the shows, did everything he was suppose to do just like the rest of us, and then was told that he could no longer play in the atmospheric shows unless he took off the turben, cut his hair, and shaved his beared. Let me put that in to a perspective that some of you ow so wise people would understand. That would be like telling you to to drop some of your religious beliefs to work at your job. Lets even go as far as saying just don't believe in Christ so you can work at disney world. Also one more great fact is that he is Sikh not Muslim. Some of you people really display the great education system we have in our states today. Get a life or crawl up into a small hole and die, because as of right now you are wasting my oxygen and slowly destroying America with your stupidity and dumb racist comments.

Posted at 11:34AM on Jun 17th 2008 by Greg

131.
muSLIM or sikh;

hit them in an intersection and
get a free lube and oil change !

Posted at 12:13PM on Jun 17th 2008 by charleswhitman

132. Hey Ava #119. Don't I know you?? Wait I do! Aren't you the girl who answers my phones? No, that's not it!!! You are the one who empties our wastebaskets and makes the coffee for everyone in the morning! I knew you looked familiar. So last time I saw you you were trying to get your GED. How's that going for you??
Your stupidity is exactly why I am a physician, and you will always be washing my floors.

Posted at 12:36PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Indian Princess

133. Ignorant Linda...........he is NOT muslim......he is SIKH. If you dont know what you are talking about its better to keep your mouth shut.

Posted at 1:09PM on Jun 17th 2008 by jessy

134. FYI many americans are sikhs

Posted at 1:09PM on Jun 17th 2008 by jessy

135.
khalsa, khalsa, khalsa.....

take a walk on
the wild side;

robertson blvd.;

Posted at 1:57PM on Jun 17th 2008 by charleswhitman

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