According to USA Today, American Idol has lowered the eligibility requirement age from 16 to 15. (Read more HERE.)
All I can say is a big fat UGH.
I’ve been saying all along that the bottom age limit should be at least 18. There’s hardly a young teen that appears on the show who couldn’t benefit from a few years of seasoning first–even the really talented ones who do well, like Jordin Sparks, Allison Iraheta or David Archuleta.
And the successful teens are few and far between. Young kids who make the show, typically crash and burn–hardly ready for the pressure and the spotlight that’s suddenly thrust upon them. Not fun to watch at all.
I suppose it’s the success of teens like Justin Beiber and Miley Cyrus that’s prompted the change. The first artist on judge Ellen Degeneres’ new record label is 12 year-old you tube sensation, Grayson Chance.
Then, there’s that coveted young demographic that’s been increasingly turning away from American Idol. Bringing in younger contestants is one way to lure them back.
As someone who dislikes the idea of thrusting young kids into the limelight under any circumstances–I hate the idea. Give the kids a few years to mature, then let them try out.
What about you? What do you think? Should the age requirement be lowered? Kept the same? Raised?
