Ten Things You Didn’t Know about American Idol

Fox's "American Idol" XIII Finale - Show

When American Idol began airing in 2002, no one had any idea the iconic industry show it would become. Not only is it a show that discovers new singing talent, but it is a show that transcends being just a show by having the winners go off and become famous and further spread their music and branding. It is literally a show that makes or breaks whole careers. But for as much as you know about American Idol, there is so much you don’t. Here are ten things we bet you didn’t know about American Idol.

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

It’s Not All Competition: You may look at a show like American Idol and assume it is all cut throat competition between the acts and (as we have seen a few times, the judges) but that really isn’t the case. The reality is, most of the contestants actually really get along and are rooting for one another. Same thing can be said for judges. We know that there is one exception to that rule, which we will speak of again further down the list.

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Fox's "American Idol" XIII Finale - Show

Don’t Forget About the Tour: What makes American Idol so memorable to so many people is the fact that the show just ends up having so much talent cross that stage. What most people seem to forget is that they usually follow up each season with a live tour, featuring most of the acts from that season. It is like a two-tier experience. One, you watch the show and all the singers. Then two, it ends and you go actually see them live. It is kind of a cool, cross promotion that brings the music home for a lot of people.

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

American Idol Live! 2014 Tour Kickoff

The Stuff We Don’t See: You need to realize, there is much that goes into every single person and performance on that show. For as much as we see, there is a great deal that goes on backstage and between episodes that we don’t see. From working closely with famous vocal coaches, to some downtime where they get to actually all hang out together and chill a bit, there is much to this show we don’t actually see.

(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

You Pick the Winners: Over the years, it seems some people seem to have forgotten this. As much as it feels like the judges make the choices, they just tell us how they feel. It is then up to us to make the right choice. So when someone wins, there is no excuse that “the judges” didn’t know what they were talking about. That reflects on us as the viewer and one who votes. So next time you dislike an American Idol winner, remember, we all helped pick them.

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Fox's "American Idol" XIII Finale - Show

Carrie Underwoood Earned College Credit for American Idol: Yes, you just read that correctly. The most successful American Idol winner of all time used her time there to help her earn a degree for Mass Communications, and they accepted her time on Idol as her “internship” even though that is unofficial. What is impressive is that, even though she was a mega star, Underwood only used Idol for a launching board for pursuing other things she was more passionate about. But who knew you could get college credits for being on a music reality show?

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

2012 Winter TCA Tour - Day 5

First Season Was Supposed To Be Four Judges: The truth is, they wanted to follow the same formula as Pop Idol (the show Simon already created that was the precursor to American Idol), but they could not find a fourth judge the first season that would fit well with the group. DJ Stryker (radio DJ) was one who they had considered, but he pulled out due to “image concerns”. We are thinking he may be kicking himself now, considering what these judges make yearly for income. Put it this way, it is better living than a radio DJ (and most people on Earth).

(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

2011 "American Idols Live!" Tour - Newark, NJ

Gene Simmons Was Considered For A Season Four Judge: Let us just take a minute and let that really sink. Can you even fathom how different that would have been? A man famous for being creepy and making innuendos? I would say it was a pretty solid idea they backed out on that. LL Cool J was another one who was in discussion to be a judge on season four, but it didn’t work out. Wow, season four could have been very different.

(Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Premiere Of Fox's "American Idol Xlll"

Opened Door For All Song Shows: There may be many shows now that feature people singing with judges (or America) telling them if they did good or not. Well, music shows had existed before American Idol. But none were quite like American Idol (except Pop Idol, which was the forerunner) and they changed the music television show forever. Now there are like 50 shows about people who want to be pop stars, but if you flashed back to the 90’s, shows like this did not even exist.

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Season Premiere Screening Of Fox's "American Idol" - Inside

 Some Stars Have Had Their Careers Hurt By It: While I will not name any names, as that would be unprofessional, I can totally point to the picture above me and that might clear some things up. The problem with being a diva and acting like a diva is, after awhile, it begins to exhaust everyone around you. Which, of course, turns in to “she is hard to work with”, which is pretty much a career killer once anyone has muttered it about you. Speaking of the diva…..

(Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

Not All the Judges Have Gotten Along: I know this one is pretty obvious, but the time when Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj were on the show at the same time as hosts is pretty much infamous for how catty and unpleasant it was on everyone around them. They just didn’t like each other, and made the clear to anyone who was in ear shot. Heck, anyone who was in the room. You can literally feel the discomfort in the photo above. Luckily, American Idol producers figured this out quickly and made some changes before the bad energy made the show collapse in on itself.

(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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