'American Idol' Rules Contestants Must Follow - Us Weekly

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Following the rules. While Kenedi Anderson decided to leave American Idol of her own volition, many contestants don’t have a choice — they’re kicked off after violating one of the show’s many strict rules.

In addition to all of the contracts and agreements required to take part in the show, whoever comes out on top has to sign a record contract with the show’s label of choice and continue to work with production company 19 Entertainment, which used to produce the reality competition. The contracts are negotiated prior to the finale — which sometimes leaves winners stuck in a deal that they find “manipulative” and overbearing.

“I am very grateful for the opportunities provided to me through appearing on American Idol,” season 11 winner Phillip Phillips alleged in a January 2015 legal petition to the California Labor Commissioner. “The value that the fans and the show have given to my career is not lost on me. However, I have not felt that I have been free to conduct my career in a way that I am comfortable with. I look forward to being able to make my own choices about my career and to being able to make great music and play it for my fans.”

In his filing, the Georgia native claimed that he performed multiple concerts without compensation and that he had very little creative control over his music. In one instance, Phillips alleged that the production and management company hired a producer that “compromised his interests” when he recorded his first two albums and in another, he claimed that they withheld the title of his 2014 album, Behind the Light, from him.

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Phillips’ legal dispute with the company was settled privately in June 2017 after 19 Entertainment filed for bankruptcy. (The corporation is no longer involved with producing American Idol.) But the “Home” singer’s negative experiences with his post-show deal hasn’t dissuaded others from signing up to take part in the reality competition — and agreeing to the show’s many rules.

While some of the regulations — such as being an American citizen between the ages of 15 and 29 — are relatively innocuous, other rules are much more restrictive. Every Thursday, contestants “get a CD with snippets of 50 to 200 songs that fit in the category” of that week’s theme, the Washington Post reported in 2017. From there, contestants only have one hour to choose the song that will determine whether or not they’ll stay in the competition for another week. “The reason for this is simply copyright issues,” the official American Idol website explains. “The songs as performed by the contestants are released as singles and made available for downloading.”

Keep scrolling to find out what other rules American Idol contestants have to abide by during the competition:

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

The Strict Rules ‘American Idol’ Contestants Must Follow: Confidentiality Agreements, Song Choices and More

Following the rules. While Kenedi Anderson decided to leave American Idol of her own volition, many contestants don't have a choice — they're kicked off after violating one of the show's many strict rules. In addition to all of the contracts and agreements required to take part in the show, whoever comes out on top has to sign a record contract with the show's label of choice and continue to work with production company 19 Entertainment, which used to produce the reality competition. The contracts are negotiated prior to the finale — which sometimes leaves winners stuck in a deal that they find "manipulative" and overbearing. "I am very grateful for the opportunities provided to me through appearing on American Idol," season 11 winner Phillip Phillips alleged in a January 2015 legal petition to the California Labor Commissioner. "The value that the fans and the show have given to my career is not lost on me. However, I have not felt that I have been free to conduct my career in a way that I am comfortable with. I look forward to being able to make my own choices about my career and to being able to make great music and play it for my fans." In his filing, the Georgia native claimed that he performed multiple concerts without compensation and that he had very little creative control over his music. In one instance, Phillips alleged that the production and management company hired a producer that "compromised his interests" when he recorded his first two albums and in another, he claimed that they withheld the title of his 2014 album, Behind the Light, from him. [sendtonews type="float" key="uTDO35UCZY-2831907-14453"] Phillips' legal dispute with the company was settled privately in June 2017 after 19 Entertainment filed for bankruptcy. (The corporation is no longer involved with producing American Idol.) But the "Home" singer's negative experiences with his post-show deal hasn't dissuaded others from signing up to take part in the reality competition — and agreeing to the show's many rules. While some of the regulations — such as being an American citizen between the ages of 15 and 29 — are relatively innocuous, other rules are much more restrictive. Every Thursday, contestants "get a CD with snippets of 50 to 200 songs that fit in the category" of that week's theme, the Washington Post reported in 2017. From there, contestants only have one hour to choose the song that will determine whether or not they'll stay in the competition for another week. "The reason for this is simply copyright issues," the official American Idol website explains. "The songs as performed by the contestants are released as singles and made available for downloading." Keep scrolling to find out what other rules American Idol contestants have to abide by during the competition: [podcast_block]

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

The Strict Rules ‘American Idol’ Contestants Must Follow: Confidentiality Agreements, Song Choices and More

Following the rules. While Kenedi Anderson decided to leave American Idol of her own volition, many contestants don't have a choice — they're kicked off after violating one of the show's many strict rules. In addition to all of the contracts and agreements required to take part in the show, whoever comes out on top has to sign a record contract with the show's label of choice and continue to work with production company 19 Entertainment, which used to produce the reality competition. The contracts are negotiated prior to the finale — which sometimes leaves winners stuck in a deal that they find "manipulative" and overbearing. "I am very grateful for the opportunities provided to me through appearing on American Idol," season 11 winner Phillip Phillips alleged in a January 2015 legal petition to the California Labor Commissioner. "The value that the fans and the show have given to my career is not lost on me. However, I have not felt that I have been free to conduct my career in a way that I am comfortable with. I look forward to being able to make my own choices about my career and to being able to make great music and play it for my fans." In his filing, the Georgia native claimed that he performed multiple concerts without compensation and that he had very little creative control over his music. In one instance, Phillips alleged that the production and management company hired a producer that "compromised his interests" when he recorded his first two albums and in another, he claimed that they withheld the title of his 2014 album, Behind the Light, from him. [sendtonews type="float" key="uTDO35UCZY-2831907-14453"] Phillips' legal dispute with the company was settled privately in June 2017 after 19 Entertainment filed for bankruptcy. (The corporation is no longer involved with producing American Idol.) But the "Home" singer's negative experiences with his post-show deal hasn't dissuaded others from signing up to take part in the reality competition — and agreeing to the show's many rules. While some of the regulations — such as being an American citizen between the ages of 15 and 29 — are relatively innocuous, other rules are much more restrictive. Every Thursday, contestants "get a CD with snippets of 50 to 200 songs that fit in the category" of that week's theme, the Washington Post reported in 2017. From there, contestants only have one hour to choose the song that will determine whether or not they'll stay in the competition for another week. "The reason for this is simply copyright issues," the official American Idol website explains. "The songs as performed by the contestants are released as singles and made available for downloading." Keep scrolling to find out what other rules American Idol contestants have to abide by during the competition: [podcast_block]

Credit: American Idol Prod/Fox Tv Network/Fremantle Media North America/Kobal/Shutterstock

Contestants Must Audition Alone

According to the show's official rules, contestants must perform by themselves when auditioning for the judges, although they are allowed to play an instrument to accompany their performance. However, it seems as if producers have relaxed this rule in recent years, with many potential Idols bringing their parents, siblings or partners into the audition room with them to meet the judges. In season 20, Cadance Baker was accompanied by her father, professional guitar player Shane Baker, for her performance of "I'm Your Baby Tonight."

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Top 10 Contestants Can't Audition Again

Performers who make it to the finals of the competition without winning don't get a second shot at the limelight. Those contestants are prohibited from auditioning the following year, in order to prevent any contestants who may already have a fanbase from having an unfair advantage over the others.

Credit: American Idol Prod/Fox Tv Network/Fremantle Media North America/Kobal/Shutterstock

They Sign A Confidentiality Agreement After Auditions

Immediately after they get their golden ticket to Hollywood, contestants have to sign a confidentiality agreement covering the rest of the competition. Singers are not allowed to move on to a different stage of the competition without agreeing to sign the contract as well as a release allowing their Idol journey to be shown onscreen.

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Contestants Must Disclose Their Criminal Record

nyone with a violent felony is automatically disqualified from competing on American Idol, as well as anyone who has a pending criminal trial when they audition for the show. Three contestants have been disqualified for not disclosing their criminal records to producers: season 2 semifinalist Jared Andrews, Top 9 finalist Corey Clark and season 11 contestant Jermaine Jones, who made it to the Top 12 before producers learned about his prior arrests.

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

They Have to Reveal Personal Details On Air

Singers are obligated to share details of their personal lives, family lives and their journey to American Idol success while filming the show. Producers have often used contestants' stories to help the audience connect with and root for them, such as with season 20's Kelsie Dolin, who opened up about her relationship with her late grandmother during auditions.

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Contestants Can't Have Romantic Relationships With the Judges

While it might seem self-explanatory, this rule was officially put into place in 2003 after Corey Clark claimed that he and former judge Paula Abdul had an affair while he was competing on the show. At the time, producers claimed that he was cut from the show for not disclosing his criminal record, although Clark maintained that he did disclose the details of his legal issues with the show's producers. In 2005, however, he claimed that he was fired from the Fox series due to his alleged romantic relationship with Abdul.

Both the "Cold Hearted Snake" singer and Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe denied the claims and Fox conducted an internal investigation which found no corroborating evidence for Clark's story. Still, in the wake of the scandal, the producers made it clear that any personal relationships between the judges and contestants are strictly forbidden.

Credit: ABC

Contestants Can't Run For Office After American Idol

Aspiring Idols aren't allowed to profit off of their time on the show monetarily and they're not allowed to use their reality TV fame to gain political power, either. Per the show's eligibility requirements, contestants cannot be running for public office when they audition for the show — and they have to wait one year before they're allowed to launch a political campaign after leaving the series.

Credit: Michael Becker / FOX

Contestants Can Only Perform Songs From a Pre-Approved List

Contestants on the live shows are given a list of songs to choose from for their performances and they only have an hour to make their selection. However, per Today, past contestants can perform any song that fits the theme, provided that producers are able to secure permission to air the performance.

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Winners Must Sign A Record Contract & Commit to a Tour

American Idol winners are awarded a record contract, although the terms of their contract are hammered out before the season finale and they must sign with the show's chosen record label. Finalists and winners are also required to give live performances near the end of the season, in order to drum up votes from the general public and to promote the show at the same time.

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Paula Abdul

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