American Idol, once the heartbeat of Sunday night television, is now facing a troubling trend — a mass exodus of viewers. Even with big-name additions like country superstar Carrie Underwood joining the judging panel and Jelly Roll stepping in as the show’s first-ever Artist in Residence, ratings have taken a serious hit.
While some fans were initially energized by these changes, cracks began to show as the season unfolded.
Carrie Underwood’s Impact — and a Rocky Start
Carrie Underwood’s appointment to the judges’ table was met with high hopes. As the show’s Season 4 winner, her firsthand experience seemed like the perfect asset for contestants navigating the high-pressure competition.
However, things got rocky before the season even began. Carrie’s performance at a controversial inauguration event blindsided American Idol executives, creating ripples of backlash that no one on the team had anticipated.
Despite a warm welcome from viewers during the premiere, where a special Oscars aftershow preview drew nearly 6 million viewers, enthusiasm quickly began to wane. By the time the April 21st episode aired, only 4.1 million were still tuning in — a loss of almost 2 million viewers in less than two months. Insiders suggest that the show’s shift in tone might be partly to blame.
Faith-Based Episode Divides the Audience
One particular episode, airing on Easter Sunday, leaned heavily into gospel music, featuring heartfelt performances that drew rave reviews for Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, and Brandon Lake. Yet behind the scenes, the move sparked division. A source close to the production revealed:
“It’s the first time they’ve done a faith-based episode and the crew was polarized by it. Some didn’t think it’s completely appropriate but felt uncomfortable speaking up about it while others saw no problem with it as it didn’t focus on a specific religion.”
Carrie reportedly championed the faith-themed night, wanting a space to openly share and celebrate her religious roots. While the sentiment resonated with many, it alienated others who felt blindsided by the sudden pivot.
Fan Backlash and Unanswered Questions
Fans weren’t shy about voicing their confusion — and frustration — online. Social media buzzed with reactions like:
“Since when did #AmericanIdol start doing gospel?”
“WHY DOES ALL THIS STILL SEEM LIKE GOSPEL HOUR?”
“I thought it was American Idol, not American Gospel!!! SMH!!”
“#americanidol doing a 3 hour, all God/Gospel/Christian episode for 24 contestants is absolutely insane. Is there any tolerance to other religions or no religions at all with this show?”
While some applauded the soulful shift, appreciating the emotional depth the gospel songs brought, others felt it veered too far from Idol’s original inclusive spirit.
Alongside concerns over the show’s thematic changes, criticism also mounted over the selection of the Top 14 contestants, with many longtime fans questioning the quality and diversity of talent advancing in the competition.
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