Is there an age limit for American Idol?

Television competition shows like American Idol, The Voice, and America’s Got Talent help give aspiring singers hope and a rare opportunity to break into the music industry.

American Idol has been doing that for 20 seasons. The show started out on FOX up until season 15, then made a comeback thanks to ABC for season 16. It’s been running on the network since 2018.

Reviving American Idol has given future stars one more outlet to help them achieve their dreams. But unlike its counterparts, auditions aren’t open to everyone. There are eligibility requirements that the competition show follows strictly. Is there an age limit for American Idol? The answer is a definite yes.

What’s the age limit for American Idol?

The singing competition show has a particular age window. As of 2022, those who sign up for the show can be no older than 29 at the time of their audition. All contestants also have to be at least 15 years of age.

American Idol‘s first three seasons had an age requirement of at least 16 years old, but no older than 24. The age limit was extended to 28 for season 4. Then ahead of season 10, the lower age limit dropped to 15 years old. Anyone under the age of 18 has to have a parent or guardian with them at their audition. Contestants do have the opportunity to audition more than once as long a they didn’t make it to the Top 10.

The show’s decision to have this age requirement is a bit questionable. One reason for this could be that they want to limit the number of people who audition. There’s already so many coming in to try their hand at becoming the next American Idol. So they may be trying to reduce the number of auditions they have to sift through.

However back in 2004 when the series was still run by FOX, the network’s programming chief Gail Berman addressed FOX’s choice to raise the limit to 28 at that time. Entertainment Weekly reported:

"I’m sure there are people who are tremendously talented above that but we’re talking about people who hope to have pop careers afterwards."

Honestly, I think that’s pretty offensive. Yes, unfortunately our society tends to focus on wanting to see “young” and “beautiful” people in the acting and music industries, but we’re making progress and changes. Though this was a quote from 2004, when ABC took over just a few years ago, they didn’t make a move to increase the age limit by much.

If you’re talented and can make a genuine connection with people, then it doesn’t matter how old you are. You’ll be able to find success.

American Idol season 20 premiered February 27. New episodes air every Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.