American Idol May Raise Age Limit
Is an Age Limit Needed at All?
American Idol's most similar competitor, Nashville Star, has no upper age limit, and many of the most popular competitors are over 30. One of the most popular auditioners this season has been Sherman Pore, who brought tears to Paula Abdul's eyes with his heartfelt rendition of "You Belong to Me." If Sherman had been advanced, would he have had a chance to win? Probably not, but did he at least deserve a chance? According to the 2400 people who have signed an online petition asking producers to bring Pore back to the Finale, he does.
The age limit has always been in place because the American Idol producers believe that the country would not accept an older Idol, but Pore's popularity challenges that notion. The public has a way of voting off the contestants that they won't accept. A good example of the American public going against the instincts of the music business is the success of the final four finalists from the second season.
The first season of American Idol featured teen magazine-ready pop stars with mediocre voices but bright white smiles and perfect bodies. Kelly Clarkson, the eventual winner, was "the chubby one." Her voice was chosen over the perfect body of Ryan Starr and the dimples of Just Guarini. The second season saw an overweight black man (Ruben Studdard), a skinny white boy (Clay Aiken), a curvy mixed race woman (Kim Locke) and a stocky Marine (Josh Gracin) in the top four. Not only were these performers successful on the show, they have also been successful on the music charts. None of these finalists would have made the Top 10 the season before.
If there were contestants that are over 30 on American Idol, the public would choose to vote or not vote based on their own personal preferences. In the past four seasons, the audience has shown a willingness to vote for people that are most like them. American Idol has transcended the original young demographic that the producers targeted. The fans should have a chance to vote for talented performers no matter what their age.
Published by Kari Livingston
Kari Livingston is a freelancer writer living and loving life in the foothills of the Arkansas Ozarks. She specializes in local restaurants, attractions and family events. Her work has appeared on HubPages,... View profile
- American Idol: Do the Results from Hollywood Week and Semifinals Prove Producer Ma... Looking at season eight so far, have American Idol producers already decided which three contestants they want you to vote for?
- American Idol Atlanta Auditions: Several Surprise with the Susan Boyle Factor The Atlanta auditions for American Idol Season 9 did not seem to have the same quality of singing that came out of the Boston auditions, but they still produced a couple of contenders worth listening to and who might...
-
Ellen DeGeneres to Be Fourth American Idol Judge
Ellen DeGeneres has been named the permanent fourth judge for American Idol. There are two reasons for the decision: Ellen is a fan and she knows the American viewing public....
- American Idol Conspiracy Theory: Is the Voting Sabotaged? Vote For The Worst (aka VFTW) urges their minions to vote for the American Idol contestant they deem most unlikely to succeed. VFTW wants to believe it plays a huge part in the idiosyncratic American Idol voting resul...
- Ooops. American Idol, Phone Sex Number Mix Up A call in for contestant number 13 could have ended in a sex line call; American Idol producers rush to avoid scandal...too late.
- A Guide to American Idol Auditions for the Wannabe Superstar: Tips, Tricks and "Id...
- Syesha Mercado Will Go Home; American Idol Producers Paved Way to David Cook, Davi...
- American Idol Producers Admit to Editing Out Footage in Which Paula Abdul May Look...
- American Idol Alumni All-Stars Showdown: New Rule Prompts New Show Idea
- American Idol: A Look Back
- Adam Lambert's American Idol Performance of Satisfaction Overrated
- American Idol: The Worst Season
|
|
- The current age limit is 28.
- The original limit was 25.
- Last year's winner was 28 at the time of his audition.
13 Comments
Post a CommentI want to audition, but evidently 37 is too old to be talented, hmmm.
I completely agree with the no upper age limit, and feel that it is never too late to chase your dreams......
I think it is sad that there is an age limit for this show. Talent is talent, and alot of people in their late 20's, into their 30s, 40s, have been striving for that one break for many years. Alot more than 15 year olds. Not that they don't deserve the right the audition, b/c they do, but so do people who are more experienced and older. If there must be an age limit, 35 or 40 is much more reasonable than 28. That is the age alot of musicians are flourishing. Please raise the age limit for this show...it would appeal to a much broader audience!
They should eliminate the age limit. When AI started and the limit was 25, I was 27. Then, at age 29, I found out that they raised it to 28! I always said that if they raised it again, they would again make the limit just under my age. Now, I'm 37 yet everyone thinks I'm in my 20s, and I'm talented, damnit. I hate when they have people on the show saying that AI is such a great way to help people achieve their dreams. Anyone can do it... yeah, but only if you're 28 or younger. I guess I'm too old to have a dream, or I'll just have to get there another way. Maybe I'll try The X Factor, if they ever get here.
....Those producers really need to go to church. When Sherman Pore auditioned, musically he won at the age of 64. When he did audition, he took the young people on a field trip back in time. In those days when he was in his teens and twenties, you didn't have rap music, rock music was just coming onto the airwaves in the 1950s with Elvis Presley. His CD contains Big Band music. If the age limit is scrapped, American Idol would be much better. Age limits for music are really not needed at all! There ARE young people that are into classical music and big band music. And if there are some young people who take American Idol as college by majoring in music, and want to study big band, Idol needs to get rid of the age limit so that these much older contestants can appear and also help the young ones out. When I saw Sherman in a video sitting with the young people in L.A., he looked like if he was giving a music lesson to some young folks about what music was like when he was a kid.
I saw the Sherman Pore audition, and the maximum age limit of 28 seems to be pretty stupid. I bought a copy of Sherman's CD "For my Lady Love". In the world of classical music, many of the singers range from their teens all the way up thru the 70s, 80s, and into thier 90s. If American Idol nees to have an age limit, it's better of if it's 13-99. I could see some contestants at the age of 57, some at 52, some at 72, and some even over 87. Why in the name of thunder waste all that space on the stage by denying senior citizens to be on stage. Setting age limits should only be left up to God! Not the producers.
...pursue your dream throughout it all. On Friday night straight after work though sick with bad cough drove to Chicago to stand in line from 2:45 am til 11am outside to be told I was too old because born after 1980 when I mentioned that I read on the internet they may be changing the age limit on the internet they gave a band and said talk about it with the people on Monday. I will be there at 5am to sing my heart out and show that true talen has no age limit. And the next idol should be someone who understands what true persistence and passion for a dream is all about regardless of the no's you will get ... because there are a hundred no's for every yes sometimes. I hope to gain your support America!
Hi, I totally agree that they should do away with the age limit. Who knows what the next age limit will be. I am 33 with no children and look just as young as half the other contestants I have seen and can sing better and stage perform better as well. I know many other people around the world can relate to me. Its ashame that those who try to make it in the music world by going to college and getting involved and then trying to do music by putting themself out there on the internet or locally and non-locally (while balancing a career) ....people who truly understand what its about to have passion, the rejections and persistence should not have a chance because of age? I think the next idol should have some life experience. Leave it to the teenagers to at least graduate highschool and keep up with their studies. Sorry if I disappoint anyone by saying that but the next American Idol should really understand what it truly means to want something so passionately that through life you still
I think they shouldn't have an age limit.I am 40 but look mid twenties & can sing..if they are going for young looks..Taylor Hicks looks 20 yrs older than me..if they are going for talent I've seen alot of singers in there 30's&40's who would make some of the finalist from this year just plain look bad..Americas got Talent & Britains got talent has no age limit & those shows are thriving.No AGe Limit needs to be put in place.
SoarinWingz- If there is no age limit to "true talent" then there should be NO AGE LIMIT at all!
CP- You just want them to raise the age limit ONE YEAR so YOU can audition! How shallow, how self-centered! You'd make a great new American Idol,(Not!)Get over yourself!