American Idol used to be the only singing talent show, however as it’s now competing against the likes of The Voice and X Factor USA which have been gaining momentum, TV bosses have to come up with new ways to keep the show fresh and the viewers gripped.
The Fox reality show has introduced a shocking new twist, where contestants who are deemed safe can still be cut later on in the show.
Judge Randy Jackson dropped this major bombshell to the American Idol hopefuls who survived the first day of eliminations, saying: “Just a word of caution, but there are still 10 more groups to go tomorrow, and if we find that some of [those people] are better than you were, we'll need to make room for cuts.”
None of the singers seemed too worried, but the new format seemed to hit home after handsome Floridian waiter Johnny Keyser, who was one of Jennifer Lopez’s favourite acts, was axed during the safety-cut eliminations.
Single mother Britnee Kellogg was also cut, as was Jessica Phillips, who was upset as she believed she and the other victims of this unhappy new Idol twist have been duped by the show's producers.
The 26-year-old, who put her life on hold to care for her disabled boyfriend, ranted to the cameras: “I'm an actual artist. It just doesn't seem like they're looking for real artists.
“I didn't come here to win a television show; I came here for a record deal. A lot of people are making it through that are not real artists, and they're not going to sell any records, and I don't have to worry about that because that's not me.”
There were 70 contestants who took to the stage in Las Vegas week, but the Idol judges cut this down to just 42, and it has been revealed that an additional 18 singers will be cut next week.
Maybe American Idol is feeling the pressure after it was reported yesterday that the X Factor USA will be allowing hopefuls who already have pre-existing management contracts to audition to win the $5 million recording contract with Sony Music.
Battle of the reality shows - X Factor USA vs. American Idol:
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