American Idol Contestants Delete Social Media Accounts

Written by

Without any sort of explanation, American Idol has banned their 24 finalists from using social media (Mashable). Finalists are no longer able to have their own personal Twitter, Facebook, or Myspace accounts. Instead, they have consolidated their sites into one AI9Contestants username across all social networking.

Recently, each of the 24 finalists sent out a message to their followers saying “Thanks so much for following me! All my updates from now on will be on our Official AI9 Twitter page, please follow me there @AI9Contestants.” The same sort of message was sent out across the other social networking sites.

Speculation from The Wall Street Journal and USA Today say AI motives were to create more equality with the voting process. Finalists’ use of social media sites may reveal early favorites, expose secretes and or influence America’s voting.

Social media outlets could be used by finalists to increase popularity with fans and thus increase their votes to win the competition which may not be fair. However, this shift may actually hinder contestants from developing a connection with their fan base which AI’s popularity relies on .It seems this change by American Idol is focusing on the fairness of the competition without embracing the positive influence social media has on the business side of the industry.

Even though Idol’s efforts are designed to maintain the equality and secrecy of the show’s outcome, they cannot stop society’s use of social media to discuss the contestants and opinions of the show.

-Taylor Diehl

Comments

22 responses to “American Idol Contestants Delete Social Media Accounts”

March 16, 2010

Holly Devine

I understand how social media could sway American Idol voters for or against a contestant. In my opinion AI’s actions even the playing field. Many businesses are starting to take social media very seriously and use it to attract business. In fact many new positions are being made for the digital space in which people would be paid to update sites such as facebook, myspace, twitter, and linked-in. If the Idol contestants were smart, then they would have seen the same advantage of social media that these businesses did, which is why the American Idol camp is smart to take away their social media use.

Reply
1. March 17, 2010
  
  Maxann Keller
  
  I fully agree with the decision to have each american idol cancel their personal social media accounts. Social media invites the public into the immediate personal life of each contestant, allowing them to form judgments (whether it be positive or negative) on the person as a whole. American Idol is not (or rather, should not be) a popularity contest. It should be solely about the performances the voting public can see on the television, produced and authorized by the affiliates that broadcast their talent. Social media could also go against the rules and regulations of leaking information for the show as a whole, which is not fair to the public, or the people providing this opportunity for such success each receives in the show.
  
  Reply
March 17, 2010

Sara Wagner

I think it is kind of sad that American Idol made their contestents give up personal forms of social media. I think that Facebook and Twitter are good ways to generate a fan base as well as a way to let fans follow the contestant. Who cares if Facebook or Twitter helps a competitor get more votes? Don’t we want out “American Idol” to be well liked by the public? I do not agree with this decision because social media outlets are a good way for fans to connect with their favorite finalists.

Reply
March 17, 2010

Melissa Gagliardi

I agree with making the contestants use a modified social media network. By having their personal facebooks or twitters, contestants could post information that American Idol may not have wanted the public to know. They can control what is posted and said about the show, other contestants, and even the judges. I’m sure if a contestant got a bad review they would be tempted to say “Simon was so mean…”. The show can regulate what is said and who is seeing it. I don’t think it will help with voting. Each contestant has their own group of followers, and what they post on their pages will not cause a person to switch who they want to vote for. It is a singing contest, not a who has the cutest pictures and most friends online contest.

Reply
March 17, 2010

Chelsea Pegram

Sara has a good point that AI contestants’ use of social media networks would allow fans to connect with their favorite finalists as well as know their finalists better. Facebook and Twitter allow us to express ourselves and tell about who we are; without these networks, AI contestants won’t be able to do this. However, I do think that it is necessary to have one single network for all contestants during the show so that no illegal swaying can occur. Facebook allows us to send private messsages, so we would probably not know until after the show is over if a contestant sent messages to certain groups of people trying to get votes in an unfair way. Another point: what if one very talented contestant didn’t have Facebook, while another not-so-talented contestant did – then the majority of people voted for the person with Facebook simply because they “felt connected?” That doesn’t seem fair to me.So although I do think that it would be nice for contestants to have ways to express themselves and show who they are to the public, I also think that it’s necessary to ban the use of these social networks in order to keep the competition the most fair it can be.

Reply
March 17, 2010

Carissa Niederkorn

I do not think I would personally vote for somebody because of their social networking skills. I also feel that if I were to follow the singers, I would be following the ones I would already be voting for anyways. I do see AI’s need to make the contest as fair as possible but it makes me wonder if this is the real reason they banned social networks. Perhaps they don’t want secrets of the show to get out or maybe they just want to have any easy way to keep track of how popular it is to follow their contestants for future use. Either way, it is unfortunate for the singers to have to lose their networks. I am sure it has made it a lot harder for them to stay in contact with all of their friends and family.

Reply
March 17, 2010

Haley Williams

I can see both sides of this situation. While American Idol may be trying to balance the playing field as well as maintain their ethicality, it is important to realize how much of an impact social media has on all of our lives today. Game and reality television programs and social media and networking can, in some ways, be controversial issues with many factors that come into play. On many television programs, participants or contestants must live in secrecy with little to no contact to the outside world during their season. It may be that American Idol is shifting to a more secret show for their contestants. Like Carissa said, I would probably not vote for an individual because of their social media. AI is a show based on talent in singing, not technological skills. It is also a contest in which contestants generate fan bases during and after their time on the show. I feel that twitter, facebook, and other social networking sites may contribute to building up that fan base. However, if all individuals are not allowed to use these mediums it again creates a level playing ground. Like I said, I can see both sides to this. Do I think these new rules have a large negative or positive impact or effect on the show and its contestants? No. It is just a matter of rules and regulations and the change that has come about is probably what is stirring up the most controversy.

Reply
March 17, 2010

Patrick Harris

I think that American Idol is right in not allowing there contestants to be with social networking,But at the same time, I think it would be cool to see some of the contestants either twittering, or face booking. I think this would allow viewers to se even deeper into their lives. In my opinion I think that the social networking would help a contestant.
With out social media This would be a great place because we wouldn’t always worry about “updating status” but because of where social networking has taken us, it is extremely beneficial for a company, business, t.v show, or even a person.

Reply
March 17, 2010

Eric Holtzman

I think the whole idea does not help anything. I personally don’t see anything wrong with American Idol contestants having their own facebook’s or twitter accounts. They are normal people just like anyone else, and I think that even though they are now on this show that doesn’t mean they can’t still be in touch with their fan base on a more personal level. I think the real reason American Idol is taking these away is because of fear of negative personal comments or attacks on certain contestants, along with certain contestants perhaps being un-fairly favored over others. Regardless I don’t think it would make much of a difference, but taking away a contestants facebook or twitter just seems dumb to me.

Reply
March 17, 2010

Constantia Belleza Paat

I have to agree with the decision of AI in limiting the contestants’ access to their social media. The main haunt of AI is an extraordinaire singer. With the impact of social media right now, fans of the contestants will be distracted with the private lives of the contestants. At least the contestants are still able to update their status via Official AI9 Twitter page.

Reply
March 17, 2010

Ashton Brooks

I disagree with American Idol banning the contestants personal social media accounts. This show is supposed to depict real people trying to make a difference with music and strive to become the next american idol. Taking away their Facebook and Twitter, in my opinion, doesn’t make a difference. The competition is based on performance and vocal ability. What they write or tweet probably wouldn’t help or hinder then from winning. I understand that American Idol fears that some contestants might try to bribe their fans or followers to vote for them but why would someone vote for a contestant that wasn’t great anyway? Furthermore, most of the people who follow them or are friends with them on the social media accounts will probably vote for them anyway.

Reply
March 17, 2010

Ryan Stanfield

I think there is nothing wrong with what American Idol is doing. I personally think the show is kind of played out and I can not believe enough people still pay attention to it enough to warrant it being on television. That aside if any program much less American Idol wants to put conditions on what it takes to be on their program and giving up something as precious as twitter or facebook is one of the conditions than dont complain. If these people are that attactched to their facebook or twitter page then maybe its best they do not go on American Idol so that they can spend more time keeping people updated every moment of the day as to what they are doing. In addition, it seems like this is hardly news worthy. I mean its not like they are making them sign life long banishment contracts from these media outlets, just during the running of the program. I do not think that in the end anyone that gains any fame or furtune from American Idol will look back on their experience and think, “WOW, things could be so much better for me right now if only I would have been allowed to keep my facebook page during competition.”

Reply
March 18, 2010

Anna Kate Babnik

Though I understand the point behind asking contestants to delete their personal social media accounts (it is a competition after all), I think it may backfire for the producers of the show. Especially with “American Idol”, viewers tend to form bonds with their “favorites” in the competition and like to learn more about the sudden celebrities that the show establishes. A good example of the effect a social networking site can have on a show is “Glee”. Although the network only showed the first episode of the series and then took a three month break, they kept up fan intensity by having character-fueled social networking pages. Since “American Idol” and “Glee” are both on the Fox network, I’m surprised that they made the decision to refrain from allowing contestants to use personal social network sites.

Reply
March 18, 2010

Dana Purvis

I can see why American Idol would want to suspend the contestant’s social media outlets, but at the same time it seems kind of silly. I really don’t feel like letting the contestants keep their facebook and twitter accounts would affect the vote too much because most people would just look at their favorite contestant’s pages in the first place. That is kind of the point of American Idol anyway– to let the public form their own opinions and vote whether they are the best singer or not. Rarely the person everyone is talking about and who everyone thinks will win emerges as the true winner anyway. On the other hand, I can appreciate that they tried to level the playing field and keep their social abilities out of the competition. I’m not completely convinced this is the true reason that their accounts are frozen right now, however.

Reply
March 18, 2010

Jessica Brown

I can see why American Idol would not want their contestants to participate on social medias. It can put an unfair spin on voting. What I do not get is if everyone has a social media then it is not an unfair spin on votes. They all have the chance to become closer to fans.There are also many other ways to make the vote unfair. People are allowed to vote as many times as they want for their contestant. If the judges really want to keep a fair tally of the votes they should only allow one vote from each person. Also the contestant has another unfair advantage by having a large family. What I am getting at with my long tirade is that by taking away social media it does not actually affect any of the results because their are other factors that affect the results no matter what.

Reply
March 18, 2010

Katie Eagle

I think this is absolutely absurd that American Idol even has the authority to tell people that they cannot have a Facebook or Twitter account. Are they trying to be the Chinese Government? It just makes absolutely no sense to ban social media at a time in our society when people rely on it so much for information. I completely disagree with their decision. Fans want to be able to follow their “idols” on a personal level and also without much fuss.

Reply
March 18, 2010

Catherine

I think it is smart for American Idol to ban contestants from using their Facebook & Twitter pages. I also think it will be tough for the social media to stay away because these contestants are still able to try to convince viewers by word of speech just as easily. I think if they were able to use their facebook page, they would influence people by telling more about their personality and try to find commonalities with each of the viewers.

Reply
March 18, 2010

Gracie Anderson

American Idol banning social media truly shows how influential it has become. By doing so the show hopes to create a more fair chance for each contestant to be voted on. The use of social media to influence American Idol fans is actually a brilliant idea, although I do understand why they have taken these privleges away from contestants. The competion is based on singing ability not advertising. So by elimiating all the frills and influential media efforts the show is focusing more on the talent.

Reply
March 18, 2010

Zack Hamby

I understand your point in saying that limiting the use of social networking could hinder the show’s popularity. Social networking is a communication giant in our society. But I think we have to ask an important question: what is the show about?

-Is it about finding the best new talent in America? Thus generating popularity and discussion and ultimately huge sales for the artist (not to mention the show).
-Is it about a popularity contest? Meaning it is not necessarily about talent… all that matters is who can swoon the most votes.
-Is it about creating a show that generates high viewer counts and attempting to influence popular culture? Going hand in hand with the pop-culture monster of social networking.

The show creates an interesting dynamic because judges first select who America will choose from, and then it is up to the viewers to decided who is the most talented and worthy to be deemed an “American Idol”. I personally believe that viewers tend to select who they feel a personal connection with and in turn want them to win… Not necessarily is the most talented.

If this is the case I can understand the idea of limiting social networking. Social networking sites allow you to represent yourself however you would like to be portrayed.. Generally one portrays his or herself in a way that will allow others to make a connection with them. I believe it becomes especially complicated when contestants are allowed to reveal fraternity/sorority affiliation. This allows the show to become more of a “who you know” instead of “what you know” or in this case… “what you can do.”

Reply
March 18, 2010

Kathryn Miller

I am glad they’ve banned the interaction through social networks between the fans and the artists. I think the voting should be based soely on the performances, not building raport for extra locked in votes. If one of those finalists sucked majorly one week, the chances that their personality would totally play a role in keeping them on board compared to an artist who did awesome the week before and got kicked off, that would grind my gears.

Reply
March 18, 2010

Tara Schroetter

I can understand how social networking could hinder the voting process on AI, however isn’t it a popularity contest anyway? If they aren’t going to let the contestants social network on their own, it still won’t prevent the radio and television from talking about certain contestants, so who is to say that isn’t an unfair influence on the competition as well? No matter what AI tries to do to keep the voting fair, the fact is that AI will always be a popularity no matter how the contestants try to influence the votes, so the company should just give the contestants the right to do whatever they can to win.

Reply
March 18, 2010

Taren Rehburg

I agree with the way they are handling this situation. Allowing the people in this competition to keep up with active social networking sites allows a little too much room for error. As mentioned, if anyone were to let any confidential information slip or if anything that could have adverse effects on Fox programming, it would be a much larger issue so the easiest way to avoid problems like that is to take these extra steps. As silly as it seems, especially now that social networking sites have become so much a part of todays society that Facebook actually surpassed Google in the number of people who visited the site for a week straight, the simple fact is that if it could cost Fox or any one profiting from the American Idol series in any way then I can say i would do the same thing.

Reply