American Idol is supposed to be a platform for the general public. It's a show that unearths talent that would otherwise have flown under the radar. Sure, from time to time, you will get a return contestant that has spent a few years improving their craft. And the show is no stranger to acts that have built somewhat of a following online.
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However, the decision to include Jacquie Lee, who made it to the final of The Voice season five, when she was just 16 years old, appears to be a step too far. Jacquie finished as runner-up on that season.
In fact, some fans have accused ABC of recycling contestants between shows.
"What is up with Idol recycling contestants from other shows?" a user wrote in on a Reddit thread.
Jacquie isn't the first former contestant to ruffle the fanbase's feathers. Drew Ryn is another, having made it to American Idol's top-14 last season, years after making a run to the X-Factor USA final during the show's debut season.
Nevertheless, each returning contestant, from American Idol or another ABC show, skews the playing field for newer talent. It makes it even harder to stand out in an already highly competitive situation. Perhaps ABC should implement a limit on the number of times an individual can compete on one of these shows.
American Idol Has Added 'Live Social Voting' for This Year's Show
As the public's viewing habits change, TV is having to adapt. With that in mind, American Idol has become the first reality TV show to introduce 'live social voting.'
"We have to meet the audience where they are," showrunner Megan Michaels Wolfick told Deadline. "Back in 2002 when the show began, texting was the new hot thing. We also have to meet the technology where it is, as well. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to vote for their favorites, weigh in from their couch with their second screen, in real time."
And so, the idea of incorporating 'live social voting' was born. The hope is undoubtedly that it will draw in younger users, likely from the Gen Z and Gen Alpha crowds, as the social media and television viewing experience is inherently linked.
"If we can get Gen Alpha and Gen Z to weigh in a little bit more in the easiest way possible, that's very exciting. It could tip the scale. Trends are always different," Wolfick added.
American Idol is already incredibly popular. It will be interesting to see how this latest tweak can help generate an even wider audience.
