34 Strict 'American Idol' Rules Contestants Have to Follow
34 Strict 'American Idol' Rules Contestants Have to Follow
American Idol paved the way for the myriad singing shows on network television today. From the horrible auditions to the nerve-wracking finale, it's hard not to get caught up in the journey of the aspiring singers. But there's a lot viewers don't see. We're breaking down the craziest rules you probably didn't know contestants had to follow throughout the competition — from auditions to prepping for weekly competitions.
You have to meet the age requirements.
Unlike other talent shows, American Idol has a strict age window. All contestants must be at least 15 years old and no more than 29 at the time of their audition.
If you’re under 18, bring a parent.
Because you could potentially have to sign a legal document to be on live television, any contestant under the age of 18 has to bring a parent or legal guardian with them to the audition.
You must live in the U.S.
American is literally in the name of the show, so it makes sense that all contestants must be legal U.S. residents, and also legally allowed to work in the country.
Your have to audition online first.
This year, contestants have to submit an online audition tape, which consists of answering a few personal questions and singing a song of your choice.
You may have to wait for months for a callback.
After submitting an online audition, there's almost a six-month lag between when you'll be contacted for a callback.
Next, you have to audition for producers.
If you do get a callback, your second round audition is for producers and they're the ones who ultimately decide if you get a judges panel audition or not.
Walk-ins are welcome.
Walk-ins can register at 9 a.m. the morning of auditions. If you registered online beforehand, it's as easy as checking in and taking your seat — just be prepared to wait.
Don't lose your ticket.
After checking in, you'll be issued a ticket. If you make it to the next stage of the competition, you'll be given a yellow ticket to (wait for it) Hollywood! Just please don't lose your ticket.
You can't audition twice in one season.
Contestant are allowed to submit only one online audition per season. Don't worry, there's always next year!
Past contestants can't reaudition either.
Anyone who's made it to the top 10 in a previous season is deemed ineligible and can't reenter the competition.
You have to cover your own travel.
It's free to audition for American Idol, but you have to cover your travel and accommodations. The show will not compensate or arrange travel for people auditioning, even callbacks.
You can sing any song you want.
Whether it's an original song or a greatest hit, it's your choice what you sing for the judges. If your time is limited, you can even pick out a part of the song to highlight.
You must audition alone.
There are no group acts on American Idol, so only the potential contestant is allowed in the audition room. FYI: No instrumental support or backup singers are allowed either.
But you can bring in a guitar.
The show recommends contestants sing a cappella, but contestants are allowed to bring a musical instrument into the audition room if they can play it themselves.
No ties are allowed.
Most American Idol seasons have had three judges, but some have had four. To avoid a split 50/50 vote, the show has implemented a majority rule. That means if a contestant faces a four-judge panel, they must receive at least three yeses to move forward.
You have to dress for television.
The show asks that all auditioning contestants avoid wearing clothing that has corporate logos, sports names, or brands on it to their audition.
All of your in-person auditions will be recorded.
Even though the judges don't watch the preliminary rounds, those moments are still all captured on film.
The best don't always move on.
As harsh as it sounds, producers on American Idol sometimes purposefully move bad singers through the audition process, since viewers enjoy watching a mix of good and bad singers. Unfortunately, this takes away spots for qualified singers.
You can't have any pending contracts or record deals.
If you accept the invitation to join American Idol, you must sign a contract that says you don't have any contractual obligations or agreements with your music.
You can't be running for public office.
You have to put your political aspirations on hold if you join American Idol. Per the show's eligibility requirements, you aren't allowed to run for political office during the competition and can't become a candidate for one year after the competition.
You can't be financially connected to the show.
To ensure the competition is fair, contestants and their family members can't be an employee of or directly linked to the media companies or sponsorships connected to the show.
You can't have a romantic relationship with a judge.
This rule wasn't in place until rumors of a relationship between judge, Paula Abdul, and former contestant, Corey Clark, emerged. The rumor launched a formal investigation by the network and a rule was instated that a contestant can be disqualified and a judge can be fired for breaking said rule.
You have to sign a confidentiality agreement.
After the contestants learn they are headed for Hollywood, they're asked to sign a confidentiality agreement and release form. A singer can't enter the competition without doing so.
You don't have to cover your living expenses.
Good news! After you've traveled to Hollywood, production covers the cost of your food and living expenses.
You get a clothing allowance, too.
The show provides a weekly fashion budget of $450 for each contestant, and you can work with the show's stylist to figure out the best outfit for that week's performance.
You have one hour to pick a song.
Every Thursday, the contestants are told the show's weekly theme and have to choose a song from a pre-approved list, according to Today. The contestants only have one hour to tell producers their choice.
Production can disqualify contestants at any time.
The producers have the right to deem a contestant ineligible or disqualified at any time and hold the sole power of the decision, due to the contract contestants sign prior to the competition.
If you're a finalist, you get to record songs.
American Idol finalists are given a chance to record three original songs. If you don't win, you can do whatever you want with the songs.
The winner receives a record deal.
After winning American Idol, that season's lucky finalist has to sign a record deal with Hollywood Records. The deal is negotiated prior to winning the show.
Your prize money is contingent on your record.
Don't count your prize money until your record is complete. The winner receives $125,000, then another $125,000 after they finish recording their first record.
You have four months to complete your album.
Once the show is over, the winner doesn't get much downtime. The next four months are typically spent completing their record.
You won't win as much prize money as previous contestants.
The winning prize used to be $1 million and a record deal, however after the show was revamped, they lowered the amount.
The runner-up gets a reward, too.
Finishing in second place can mean up to $85,700 in prize money — and sometimes a record deal as well (with an extra $87,000 after you finish your record).
There are a lot of hurdles before you head to Hollywood.
Solve the daily Crossword
