Iam Tongi may have won Season 21 of American Idol, but he was not the show's real winner. This list of 10 American Idol secrets includes a look into his future, as well as a peek behind the curtain of America's most successful reality television show.
The Path to Stardom Is Broken
Over the last decade, just one American Idol winner has notched a commercial hit, as defined by radio/streaming success or sales. Chayce Beckham's "23" was Platinum-certified and could end up a Top 10, Top 5 or even a No. 1 radio hit.
Nick Fradiani, Caleb Johnson, Trent Harmon and more all fizzled out before getting there, but in fairness a few finalists have thrived. Gabby Barrett comes to mind as an Idol singer who's a legit hitmaker in 2024.
A Staggering Death Rate
Six of American Idol's 250-plus finalists have died, and sadly, all have passed in the last 10 years. You can't pin that on the show, but a 2.4 percent death rate is still alarming.
Per Statista, death rates for Americans age 15 to 54 in 2020 were between 0.045 percent and 0.6 percent.
Those who died include: CJ Harris, Leah LaBelle, Michael Johns, Nikki McKibbin (pictured), Rickey Smith and Willie Spence (pictured).
The Money's Not That Good
In 2010, Business Insider shared that winners can make $1 million, but that has changed. These days, you'll get (per Good Housekeeping) $250,000 total if you finish your record (that's a big "if," as you'll soon find out) and about $87,500 for finishing second.
The Judges Get PAID!
Judge salaries have also been slashed, but the current trio is doing quite well. In 2010, CNN shared that Simon Cowell had gotten $36 million per year.
In 2020, Forbes quoted $25 million for Katy Perry, to go with a reported $12 million for Luke Bryan and $10 million for Lionel Richie.
You Could End Up in Debt
Remember that "if" from No. 3 on this list?
Just Sam is American Idol's most cautionary tale. The New York-based singer shared an emotional story during the pandemic, but not much has gone right for them since.
EW reports that Just Sam had to pay back Hollywood Records for songs. The Season 18 winner's debut album never materialized, so ...
Just Sam Returned to Busking
That a former winner had to return to busking on New York City subways is not a great look for American Idol. That was Just Sam's reality one year after winning, however.
"I was disappointed in myself for allowing myself to fall so low after winning Idol," they told the Sun, "but then I had to take it easy on me and remember that I started my journey with Idol at 20 years old. Not even knowing anything about Hollywood or the music industry."
Is 'American Idol' Scripted?
It's a big stretch to say American Idol is "scripted," but there are too many anecdotes about judges being overly prepared to ignore.
This picture of Sanjaya Malakar (Season 6) is relevant because he'd later say producers encouraged him to look like he was feuding with his sister when they both auditioned.
Other contestants like Blake Lewis and Adriel Carrion have also blabbed about producers' instructions, but if we're being honest, some of them really worked!
You Might Get to Pick Your Song
Technically you can choose any song for your audition, but the network's ability to clear the rights to use the song on television may determine if you get air time.
After a finalist makes the show, producers will steer then toward or away from songs or styles. Alex Miller was famously booted after he refused to stray from traditional country. The previously-mentioned Carrion was flat out told not to sing Harry Styles' "Watermelon Sugar."
La'Porcha Renae (pictured) recalled be guided to read a certain line just in case she couldn't use the song she wouldn't. The soul singer refused, however.
Some Artists Won't Play Ball
A handful of artists have at various times refused to let American Idol use their songs. Kelly Clarkson was one, but that embargo has been lifted. U2 are also very selective. On America's Got Talent, judge Simon Cowell had to personally ask for permission for a singer to use a U2 song. The band was moved and relented, but those instances are rare.
The Big Winner Is ... the Network!
Early American Idol made Fox more than $800 million per season, but even during these hard times, ABC collects about $250 million. The Hollywood Reporter did the number-crunching in 2018 and shared that ad rates for the show peaked in Season 5, when the network could get $1.3 million per 30-second spot.
In 2018, that figured was closer to $150,000, but even with a $2 million per episode cost, this show is still a big win.
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