American Idolseason 20 winnerNoah Thompson was dropped from his record label in May 2024, and this development points to deeper problems for the reality singing competition series. Noah wonAmerican Idolseason 20 in 2022, during which his single, “One Day Tonight,” reached number one on the music charts. However, after releasing some other songs, he was dropped from the record label 19 Entertainment, to whichAmerican Idolwinners and popular finalists are signed. Since then, Noah has continued his career as an independent artist.
SinceAmerican Idolpremiered in 2002, the show has given rise to some of the most popular and successful music artists of the past few decades, including season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson and season 4 winner Carrie Underwood, who’ll serve as a judge forAmerican Idolseason 23, taking Katy Perry’s place. However,Noah being dropped from the record label is a sign that the show isn’t producing mega-successful winners like it used to.
American Idol No Longer Promotes Its Winners
Noah being dropped from his record label could be a bad sign forAmerican Idol.The purpose ofAmerican Idolis to find the best undiscovered talents and turn them into superstars, which is exactly what Noah was as a phenomenally talented but inexperienced young artist. From 2002 to 2016, the show aired on FOX, until the network canceled it.In 2018, ABC revived the show, but it never reached the same level of success that it did at the height of its popularity.
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During the FOX era of the show, the finalists embarked on a tour of America after the finale, and people rushed to stores to buy the winner and runner-up’s CD singles. In the ABC era, there is no tour, and, due to the changing nature of the music industry, fans can now stream and download the winners' music.There’s no fan frenzy anymore, which could be why the winners don’t take off like they used to.
Unfortunately, the ABC era ofAmerican Idolhas failed its winners. One of the biggest examples of this was when season 18 winner Just Sam, who competed from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed in 2023 that she returned to busking in the New York City subways because she couldn’t afford food or rent. It’s almost unbelievable that, just three yearsafter winningAmerican Idol, Just Sam was struggling so hard. This shouldn’t have happened after she gave so much to the show.
Similarly, in a September 2024 Instagram post,Noahasked his fans if they wanted to book him at a venue or for a private party.It’s disappointing to see that only two years after winningAmerican Idol, Noah has been left to his own devices to find work in the music industry.
The ABC Era Of The Show Hasn’t Been As Successful
American Idolused to create true superstars, including several of the winners who’ve skyrocketed to superstardom after the show. They include Kelly (season 1), Ruben Studdard (season 2), Fantasia Barrino (season 3), Carrie (season 4), Jordin Sparks (season 6), David Cook (season 4), Scotty McCreery (season 10), and Phillip Phillips (season 11). The show has also jump-started the careers of several finalists who are mega-successful, including Clay Aiken (season 2), Jennifer Hudson (season 3), Katharine McPhee (season 5), Chris Daughtry (season 5), Kellie Picker (season 5), Adam Lambert (season 8), and Lauren Alaina (season 10).
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The ABC era of the show has been much less successful. While singers such as Gabby Barrett (season 16) andChayce Beckham (season 19 winner)have had moderate success, they’re nowhere near the level of Kelly and Carrie. Noah’s lack of success after winning in the show’s most popular genre–country–is an indication that the show simply isn’t creating stars the way that it used to.
Is The End Near For American Idol?
American Idol Might Have Run Its Course
TheAmerican IdolABC era could be nearing its end if it can no longer launch successful music careers. In the early 2000s when it debuted, it was a huge platform that was very unique. It allowed undiscovered talent to reach millions of people. However, in today’s world of YouTube and TikTok,American Idolis no longer the only way for singers to start their careers. And, because of contracts and other limitations, it’s actually a more stifling way for artists to begin. People always say that it’s better not to win, and get the exposure without the limitations.
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The ABC eraAmerican Idolwinners, Maddie Poppe, Laine Hardy, Just Sam, Chayce, Noah, Iam Tongi, and Abi Carter, have failed to become the household names that Kelly and Carrie did. However, this could be because the show just isn’t as popular as it once was. With other reality singing competition shows such asThe Voiceon the air, it’s also not the only avenue that singers have to gain exposure.
American Idolhas been a pop culture institution for over two decades, and it would be sad to see it canceled for good. However, its inability to produce superstars in recent years has certainly tarnished its image.Noah being dropped from his record labelis just another example of how the show is failing its contestants, especially its winners. Perhaps fans should think of the show more as TV entertainment, and not have high expectations for the winners to have post-American Idolsuccess.It would be a shame forAmerican Idolto be canceled, so the show has to do better for its winners.
American Idol
Cast
American Idol is a reality singing competition that adds to the international “Idol” brand, conceived initially in the U.K. as Pop Idol. Holding massive auditions across the U.S., American Idol invited several contestants to perform in front of a panel of judges that would determine whether or not they’d go on to future rounds for a chance at competing in the fully televised premiere of the show. Contestants are voted off each week by American participation via voting through various mediums, and the winner of the competition would be given a contract with a record label to secure a future as America’s next musical idol.
