Overview

American Idol Cast

American Idol was based on Pop Idol from British television, and became one of the most successful shows in the history of American television.

The concept of the series involves discovering recording stars from unsigned singing talents, with the winner determined by American viewers using phones, Internet, and SMS text voting.

The winners of the first sixteen seasons, as chosen by viewers, are Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, Phillip Phillips, Candice Glover, Caleb Johnson, Nick Fradiani, Trent Harmon, and Maddie Poppe, respectively.

The Idol Judges

American Idol employs a panel of vocal judges who critique the contestants' performances. The original judges, for the first through eighth seasons, were record producer and music manager Randy Jackson, singer and choreographer Paula Abdul, and music executive and manager Simon Cowell.

The success of American Idol has been described as "unparalleled in broadcasting history". A rival TV executive said the series was "the most impactful show in the history of television". It became a recognized springboard for launching the career of many artists as bona fide stars.

According to Billboard magazine, in its first ten years, "Idol has spawned 345 Billboard chart-toppers and a platoon of pop idols, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert, and Jordin Sparks while remaining a TV ratings juggernaut."

For an unprecedented eight consecutive years, from the 2003–04 television season through the 2010–11 season, either its performance show or result show was ranked number one in U.S. television ratings.

American Idol Auditions

The first season of American Idol debuted as a summer replacement show in June 2002 on the Fox network.

AMERICAN IDOL: THE SEARCH FOR A SUPERSTAR is the hit music reality series that empowers viewers to discover America's next solo superstar.

During the show, competing megastar-hopefuls perform their favorite songs for a panel of expert industry judges and for the voting home audience.

Abdul with Kelly Clarkson

The judges provide their opinions, but it’s American audiences who vote weekly for their favorite performers, eventually narrowing down the competition to two finalists who compete for a major recording contract and the "American Idol" title.

The nationwide talent search for American Idol contestants took place in various cities across the country each season. Throughout the series host Ryan Seacrest helps guide the national auditions and selection process in each city.

Auditioners were evaluated by the American Idol judges in such areas as talent, ability, look and style, and thousands of eager contestants were whittled down to a shortlist of singing hopefuls who performed on-air weekly.

Abdul with Carrie Underwood

In the audition rounds, 121 contestants were selected from around 10,000 who attended the auditions. These were cut to 30 for the semifinal, with ten going on to the finals.

Following the series' two-part premiere, the home viewing audience determined which contestants advanced to the next round - and the possibility of stardom - by casting their vote weekly via telephone.

After viewing contestants perform songs each week, home audiences vote for their favorites -- with the results announced weekly during the live broadcast on Wednesdays -- until only two finalists remain.

During the live season finale, the final two solo performers will vie for a major recording contract, with the voting audience at home choosing the first "American Idol."

"Idol" Judges (with DioGuardi)

Slight changes in the show’s format and personnel were made from season to season to keep the show fresh for audiences.

Other judges were added in future seasons of the series, including songwriter/producer Kara DioGuardi with whom Abdul co-wrote “Spinning Around,” a song made famous by pop icon Kylie Minogue.

The show won Creative Arts Emmys in 2007 and 2008, three in 2009, as well as a Governor's Award in 2007 for its Idol Gives Back edition.

American Idol won the People's Choice Award, which honors the popular culture of the previous year as voted by the public, for favorite competition/reality show in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

In 2013, TV Guide ranked the series No. 48 on its list of the 60 Best Series of All Time.

American Idol Judge, Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul on "American Idol"

Paula Abdul became involved with American Idol “based on a song I wrote called ‘Spinning Around, which Kylie Minogue sang. I gave permission for mechanicals and royalty rights, ’cause kids were coming to do the song for U.K.’s Pop Idol (the basis for American Idol).

I was already being groomed for U.S. American Idol, and they said, “Look, when we get down to the ten, why don’t you come out and help create styles for them onstage.” I said absolutely.

And when they called three months later, it was massive— the queen was clearing her calendar to vote. They said more people voted for Pop Idol than they did for prime minister, which is very interesting.”

Paula adds “I am a true artist that has had to rise above adversity, not pay attention to looking for outside validation and always strive to do the best that I can do. 

And that is why those kids connect with me, because Randy and Simon will never know what it’s like to be at your most vulnerable, to have guts, and to strive to be the best.

Kylie Minogue "Spinning Around"

Simon Cowell doesn’t play an instrument. He doesn’t sing. He’s never been in a group of any sort. He’s an executive. Randy Jackson at least has been an accomplished musician, but I’ve been a solo artist where I am responsible for myself.

I’ve won countless awards. I’ve won Emmy’s for my choreography and won nine MTV Awards and five American Music Awards and tons of stuff. I don’t even remember experiences I’ve had sometimes, which is what I really try to hammer into these contestants.

Life goes by so quickly, and while you’re doing your career, you must stop and reflect on all that you have accomplished— document it, get pictures and keep a journal. Please do that, because it goes by quickly!”

Abdul won praise as a sympathetic and compassionate judge on American Idol. She seemed especially kind compared to fellow judge Simon Cowell, who was often blunt in his appraisals of the contestants' performances.

Paula Abdul on "American Idol"

When she realized that Cowell's over-the-top judging style was heartbreaking for many young contestants, Abdul was so horrified that she considered leaving the show multiple times.

Although their differences often resulted in extremely heated on-air exchanges and confrontations, Cowell says he played a major role in convincing Abdul not to leave the show.

While serving as a judge on American Idol, Abdul accepted a second assignment as reporter for Entertainment Tonight providing viewers with inside information about the show and its contestants.

In March 2006, Fox announced that Abdul had signed to stay on American Idol as a judge for at least three more years. Later that year, fellow American Idol judge Simon Cowell invited her to be a guest judge at some of the early auditions for the third series of his similar UK talent show The X Factor. Abdul was present at the initial audition of the eventual winner, Leona Lewis.

Paula Abdul's "Greatest Hits Straight Up!"

During her time on American Idol Paula Abdul's second greatest-hits CD, Greatest Hits: Straight Up!, was released by Virgin Records on May 8, 2007. Virgin Records also released the music videos to all six of Abdul's No. 1 singles to iTunes and released Paula Abdul’s Video Hits Collection on DVD.

Meanwhile, Bravo began airing the reality television series Hey Paula, which followed Abdul through her day-to-day life. The series was produced by Scott Sternberg Productions and debuted on June 28, 2007.

In 2007, Paula Abdul Jewelry launched its nationwide consumer debut on QVC, with the tagline "fashion jewelry designed with heart and soul." The jewelry line featured a variety of stylish necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets.

Abdul's first QVC appearance resulted in 15 sellouts of her first jewelry collection involving more than 34,000 pieces. 

"Dance Like There's No Tomorrow"

In January 2008, Abdul returned to the music charts for the first time in nearly 13 years with the single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," the first track on the album Randy Jackson's Music Club Vol 1.

The song debuted on On Air with Ryan Seacrest., and Abdul performed it during the pre-game show for Super Bowl XLII. "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" was a modest comeback hit for Abdul, peaking at No. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 11 on iTunes and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Abdul also made a brief guest appearance in season 3 episode 1 of the British television Comedy-Drama Hotel Babylon, which aired in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2008.

In February 2008, it was reported she was to be working on a new album. Abdul had reported other songs that she is working on such as, "Boombox."

In January 2009, Abdul hosted "RAH!," a 90-minute cheerleading competition on MTV. "RAH!" featured five collegiate squads competing in a series of challenges with Abdul crowning one the winner.

Paula Abdul on "American Idol"

In May 2009, Abdul debuted her latest song "I'm Just Here for the Music" on the Ryan Seacrest Radio KIIS-FM show and performed the single on the American Idol results show. "I'm Just Here for the Music" reached No. 87 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Abdul's 15th song to appear on the chart.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times on July 18, 2009, Abdul's manager David Sonenberg told the newspaper that, "Very sadly, it does not appear that she’s going to be back on ‘Idol’." This came about as a result of stalled negotiations between Abdul and the show.

On August 4, 2009, after numerous contract negotiations, Abdul confirmed that she would not be returning to Idol for its ninth season. The Times cited reports Abdul had been earning as much as $5 million per season and that she was reportedly seeking as much as $20 million to return.

On August 18, 2009, it was reported that Abdul was negotiating to return to Idol after not taking part in season nine of Dancing with the Stars. Two days later, Abdul's manager said that there were not any talks with Fox, but they were not ruling anything out. Abdul claimed her departure from Idol was not about money, but that she had to stand on principle.

Paula Abdul on "American Idol" 2021

On September 9, 2009, Ellen DeGeneres was confirmed as Abdul's successor for Idol.

In December 2020 Abdul would go on to appear as a judge on the Ellen DeGeneres-produced FOX TV show, The Masked Dancer.

In April 2013, Paula Abdul returned to American Idol to compliment contestant Candice Glover on her performance of "Straight Up".

In April 2021, Paula Abdul again returned to American Idol along side judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie as a guest judge filling in for Luke Bryan who was recovering after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Former Idol Judge Randy Jackson also joined the show via a Facetime call making a nostalgic cameo appearance on-air with Ryan and Paula.  Simon Cowell was absent from the reunion as he was still recovering from emergency back surgery after he fell off his new electric motorcycle in 2020.  Abdul made national headlines during her guest-appearance on Idol when she stated on her she was missing the "STD" referring to Cowell iin which she clarified was an acronym for "Super, talented and debonair".