This American Idol Winner Being Dropped By Record Label Points To Deeper Problems For The Show

American Idol season 20 winner Noah Thompson was dropped from his record label in May 2024, and this development points to deeper problems for the reality singing competition series. Noah won American Idol season 20 in 2022, during which his single, “One Day Tonight,” reached number one on the music charts. However, after releasing some other songs, he was dropped from the record label 19 Entertainment, to which American Idol winners and popular finalists are signed. Since then, Noah has continued his career as an independent artist.

Since American Idol premiered in 2002, the show has given rise to some of the most popular and successful music artists of the past few decades, including season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson and season 4 winner Carrie Underwood, who’ll serve as a judge for American Idol season 23, taking Katy Perry’s place. However, Noah being dropped from the record label is a sign that the show isn’t producing mega-successful winners like it used to.

Noah Thompson Being Dropped From Record Label Could Be Bad Sign For American Idol

American Idol No Longer Promotes Its Winners

Noah being dropped from his record label could be a bad sign for American Idol. The purpose of American Idol is to find the best undiscovered talents and turn them into superstars, which is exactly what Noah was as a phenomenally talented but inexperienced young artist. From 2002 to 2016, the show aired on FOX, until the network canceled it. In 2018, ABC revived the show, but it never reached the same level of success that it did at the height of its popularity.

During the FOX era of the show, the finalists embarked on a tour of America after the finale, and people rushed to stores to buy the winner and runner-up’s CD singles. In the ABC era, there is no tour, and, due to the changing nature of the music industry, fans can now stream and download the winners’ music. There’s no fan frenzy anymore, which could be why the winners don’t take off like they used to.

Unfortunately, the ABC era of American Idol has failed its winners. One of the biggest examples of this was when season 18 winner Just Sam, who competed from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed in 2023 that she returned to busking in the New York City subways because she couldn’t afford food or rent. It’s almost unbelievable that, just three years after winning American Idol, Just Sam was struggling so hard. This shouldn’t have happened after she gave so much to the show.

Similarly, in a September 2024 Instagram post, Noah asked his fans if they wanted to book him at a venue or for a private party. It’s disappointing to see that only two years after winning American Idol, Noah has been left to his own devices to find work in the music industry.

It’s Been Years Since American Idol Has Had A Truly Successful Winner

The ABC Era Of The Show Hasn’t Been As Successful

American Idol used to create true superstars, including several of the winners who’ve skyrocketed to superstardom after the show. They include Kelly (season 1), Ruben Studdard (season 2), Fantasia Barrino (season 3), Carrie (season 4), Jordin Sparks (season 6), David Cook (season 4), Scotty McCreery (season 10), and Phillip Phillips (season 11). The show has also jump-started the careers of several finalists who are mega-successful, including Clay Aiken (season 2), Jennifer Hudson (season 3), Katharine McPhee (season 5), Chris Daughtry (season 5), Kellie Picker (season 5), Adam Lambert (season 8), and Lauren Alaina (season 10).

The ABC era of the show has been much less successful. While singers such as Gabby Barrett (season 16) and Chayce Beckham (season 19 winner) have had moderate success, they’re nowhere near the level of Kelly and Carrie. Noah’s lack of success after winning in the show’s most popular genre–country–is an indication that the show simply isn’t creating stars the way that it used to.

Is The End Near For American Idol?

American Idol Might Have Run Its Course

The American Idol ABC era could be nearing its end if it can no longer launch successful music careers. In the early 2000s when it debuted, it was a huge platform that was very unique. It allowed undiscovered talent to reach millions of people. However, in today’s world of YouTube and TikTok, American Idol is no longer the only way for singers to start their careers. And, because of contracts and other limitations, it’s actually a more stifling way for artists to begin. People always say that it’s better not to win, and get the exposure without the limitations.

The ABC era American Idol winners, Maddie Poppe, Laine Hardy, Just Sam, Chayce, Noah, Iam Tongi, and Abi Carter, have failed to become the household names that Kelly and Carrie did. However, this could be because the show just isn’t as popular as it once was. With other reality singing competition shows such as The Voice on the air, it’s also not the only avenue that singers have to gain exposure.

American Idol has been a pop culture institution for over two decades, and it would be sad to see it canceled for good. However, its inability to produce superstars in recent years has certainly tarnished its image. Noah being dropped from his record label is just another example of how the show is failing its contestants, especially its winners. Perhaps fans should think of the show more as TV entertainment, and not have high expectations for the winners to have post-American Idol success. It would be a shame for American Idol to be canceled, so the show has to do better for its winners.

American Idol

is available to stream on Hulu.

Source: Noah Thompson/Instagram