An outcry from American Idol viewers is growing louder as concerns mount over the age limit of contestants, with many calling for a minimum age of 18. The debate has resurfaced during Season 23, which features several teenage contestants — including 15-year-old Mattie Pruitt, 17-year-old Canaan James Hill, and 18-year-olds Slater Nalley and John Foster — all of whom advanced to the Top 12.
According to show rules, contestants must be born between June 2, 1995, and February 15, 2010, allowing individuals as young as 15 to compete. While this policy opens the door for rising young talent, it has also led to pushback from some parents and viewers concerned about how the intense Hollywood environment impacts teenagers’ development, education, and overall well-being.
One concerned family member of a teen contestant, speaking anonymously to The U.S. Sun, expressed that although their child has had the time of their life, the sudden exposure to the entertainment industry can be jarring. “The contestants are being thrown into this Hollywood lifestyle so suddenly. We’re from a different world,” they said. “The show producers are incredibly supportive and so are the judges but sometimes as a parent it’s hard to hear the feedback they’re giving our child.”
The parent specifically noted how judges — including Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie — often push young contestants to adopt a more mature stage presence. “I don’t know how many times Carrie has said that the kids need to ‘be sassier’ on stage… That’s our kid at the end of the day! What if they don’t want to be sassy?”
They added, “I think they just want these young contestants to grow up too fast and that’s not a totally healthy way to get their foot in the door… I wish they would be more open-minded that artists can evolve in all different forms.”
The concern over contestants “growing up too fast” is echoed by many fans online who have suggested that raising the minimum age to 18 would better protect young performers from the stress of fame and an adult-paced filming schedule. With weeks of rehearsal, press events, social media management, and long hours in Los Angeles, the Idol journey can become overwhelming even for older contestants.
Despite the concerns, American Idol has a long history of teenage success stories. Kelly Clarkson was 20 when she won in 2002. Jordin Sparks, one of the youngest winners, was 17 when she won in 2008. Others like Scotty McCreery, Fantasia Barrino, Laine Hardy, and Noah Thompson were all 17 to 19 when they claimed the title. Most recently, Iam Tongi won Season 21 at 18.
This season, only one of the original teen contestants remains: Slater Nalley, who advanced to the Top 5 alongside Thunderstorm Artis, John Foster, Jamal Roberts, and the final female contestant, Breanna Nix. The Top 5 will return for Monday night’s Disney-themed episode, each performing two songs before two are eliminated, leaving just three to compete in the live May 18 finale.
