American Idol May Raise Age Limit

When American Idol first appeared on the pop culture radar in 2002, the age limit was 25. Many of the contestants were far younger than that, with the eventual winner being just 20 years old. After the second season's top three finishers were all 25, American Idol producers raised the age limit to 28. The increased age limit gave us Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis, Chris Daughtry and Taylor Hicks. Now Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe has said that the show may raise the age limit to 30, which begs the question, why have an age limit at all? Is there a shelf life on talent?

American Idol's most similar competitor, Nashville Star, has no upper age limit, and many of the most popular competitors are over 30. One of the most popular auditioners this season has been Sherman Pore, who brought tears to Paula Abdul's eyes with his heartfelt rendition of "You Belong to Me." If Sherman had been advanced, would he have had a chance to win? Probably not, but did he at least deserve a chance? According to the 2400 people who have signed an online petition asking producers to bring Pore back to the Finale, he does.

The age limit has always been in place because the American Idol producers believe that the country would not accept an older Idol, but Pore's popularity challenges that notion. The public has a way of voting off the contestants that they won't accept. A good example of the American public going against the instincts of the music business is the success of the final four finalists from the second season.

The first season of American Idol featured teen magazine-ready pop stars with mediocre voices but bright white smiles and perfect bodies. Kelly Clarkson, the eventual winner, was "the chubby one." Her voice was chosen over the perfect body of Ryan Starr and the dimples of Just Guarini. The second season saw an overweight black man (Ruben Studdard), a skinny white boy (Clay Aiken), a curvy mixed race woman (Kim Locke) and a stocky Marine (Josh Gracin) in the top four. Not only were these performers successful on the show, they have also been successful on the music charts. None of these finalists would have made the Top 10 the season before.