‘I Appreciate The Criticism’: American Idol Alum Clay Aiken Explains Why It Was Good The Judges Were Tougher Back When He Competed

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As a film enthusiast who has seen his fair share of reality TV competitions, I must say that the evolution of American Idol over the years is fascinating to observe. Having grown up watching the original season with Simon Cowell and his infamous critiques, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the blunt honesty that shaped many of the contestants we know today.

Clay Aiken’s reflections on his experience on American Idol resonate deeply with me, as it seems that the constructive criticism he received was instrumental in shaping him into the artist he is now. The growth we saw in Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, and others throughout their journey on the show can be attributed to this very approach.

However, I must admit that I’m a bit concerned about the current state of contestants on American Idol. While I appreciate the kindness and positivity that judges like Katy Perry have brought to the table, I feel that the lack of constructive criticism might be hindering their growth as artists. As Clay Aiken suggests, perhaps it’s time for a change in approach, and maybe even a little tough love could help these contestants reach new heights.

In this sense, I’m excited to see Carrie Underwood take the judging seat when she replaces Katy Perry next season. With her commitment to being “honest and constructive but still kind,” she seems poised to strike a balance between the old and the new, offering both encouragement and guidance to the contestants.

To close on a lighter note, I can’t help but wonder what Simon Cowell would have to say about all this. Perhaps he’d quip something like: “Well, if you can’t handle a little criticism, then you’re not ready for the big leagues!” After all, that’s the spirit of American Idol, isn’t it? Embrace the challenge and watch yourself grow!

In the 2025 TV lineup, “American Idol” kicks off its 23rd season, marking Carrie Underwood’s debut as a judge, 20 years after she triumphed in the fourth season. The hopefuls facing Underwood, alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, will probably have a different journey compared to Underwood’s in 2005. Back then, judges weren’t shy about offering constructive criticism, with a heavy focus on critique. Clay Aiken, the runner-up from Season 2, appreciates his time on the show during that period and explains why he feels fortunate to have endured tougher judging back then.

During his stint on American Idol, Clay Aiken encountered the renowned panel consisting of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson. He shared with US Weekly that he believes their candid criticism was instrumental in his subsequent success. Aiken expressed it as follows:

“On American Idol, I had to deal with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson. I think their straightforward advice played a significant role in my achieving so much.

We paid attention to the judges’ feedback not just to avoid harsh criticism, but also because we intended to act upon it and change our performance for the following week. For instance, if they suggested, “You’re singing too many ballads, try something upbeat,” we would certainly work on including more uptempo songs in our repertoire to improve ourselves.

Not only was it him, but Clay Aiken points out that if you examine some of the most renowned contestants from American Idol, you’ll notice how these artists undergo transformation throughout the competition, with Kelly Clarkson being the first winner who set this trend. Aiken added:

I’m thankful for your constructive feedback. One aspect that truly elevated the show was witnessing the development of our talented contestants, particularly Kelly Clarkson. From her initial audition to her final victory, it was evident she was growing and evolving. The same can be said about Ruben Studdard; he transitioned from wearing his jerseys regularly to a more mature style. Fantasia Barrino also experienced significant growth throughout the competition, much of which came as a result of weekly feedback.

As a former American Idol contestant who came in second behind Ruben Studdard during Season 2, I find myself questioning the current crop of contestants’ progress, and I believe that the show could streamline its process by cutting out the repetitive “45 to 50 seconds of praise where they tell each singer, ‘You did a fantastic job and you’re destined for stardom.'” Instead, I propose that the singers be pushed a bit more to bring out their full potential.

Initially, Simon Cowell was often seen as the harshest judge on the original “American Idol” panel. However, it’s possible that his bluntness was merely an act for television. On the other hand, Randy Jackson shares Clay Aiken’s opinion that judges in singing competitions can be overly kind. Interestingly, even Katy Perry, who wasn’t always gentle with contestants, expressed a desire for future judges not to shy away from expressing their opinions and having a clear point of view.

It appears that when Carrie Underwood takes over from Katy Perry, she aims to offer a harmonious mix of the traditional and modern. Known for songs like “Before He Cheats,” she expressed her approach as a judge would be to be “sincere yet constructive while still being considerate.” We’ve got a few months left to see how this unfolds. The premiere of American Idol Season 23 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 9, on ABC.

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2024-12-30 18:07