2 days Ago By Kathleen O'Boyle
The age range for American Idol contestants has shifted over the years, but the current rule is clear: participants must be between 15 and 29 years old at the time of their audition . That means standout Season 23 contestant Mattie Pruitt, who just turned 15, made the cutoff by the slimmest margin. In its early days, the show only allowed contestants between 16 and 24.
The upper age limit was bumped up to 28 in Season 4, and the lower end dropped to 15 by Season 9. Travel alert for US citizens to 'delete apps' from law firm amid phone border checks Major US travel warning to visa holders - 'everyone is at risk - even citizens' Now, some involved in the show are questioning whether it’s time to broaden the rules again. Host Ryan Seacrest hinted in 2024 that the door might not be closed to older contestants in the future.
“Never say never,” he told USA Today. “I’m happy to host.” Judge Lionel Richie echoed that sentiment, saying experience can bring a lot to the stage.
“I know [actors] who did not make it in their 20s and 30s,” Richie said. “They made in their 40s and 50s because they finally realized, from Hollywood’s point of view, the character is what we need, that new, older character. Singing is the same way.
Sometimes there are so many people who are so qualified and ready to go at 40 and 50. We just completely missed them altogether.” DON'T MISS: Carrie Underwood was forced to deny $18M Sunday Night Football claim [REVEALED] Carrie Underwood told off by Lionel Richie for bring 'too nice' [LATEST] Jelly Roll says he hopes to have a 'lifelong' contract on American Idol [INSIGHT] The current format, however, hasn’t stopped the older contestants from finding success.
Taylor Hicks was 29 when he won Season 5 in 2006. Nick Fradiani was also 29 when he took the title in Season 14. On the other end of the spectrum, Jordin Sparks and Scotty McCreery were both only 17 when they won Seasons 6 and 10, respectively, making them the youngest winners in the show’s history.
The very first winner, Kelly Clarkson , was 20 when she won. Two decades later, she remains one of the show’s most successful alumni..
