Articles

American Idol Seizes Control of Contestant Social Media Accounts

March 5th, 2010 by Rosemina Nazarali

Source: Showbizgalore.com

Not being allowed to have your own social media account usually comes down to two factors: 1. you’re not old enough to create one yet; and 2. your parents won’t let you create one. However, for the 16  remaining American Idol contestants, they are no longer allowed to have individual Twitter, Facebook and MySpace accounts, as of a drastic change in strategy last night by American Idol reps.

Now, the contestants will only be allowed to participate in a consolidated version across all social networking accounts under a branded American Idol username.

This 9th season of American Idol initially allowed its contestants to run their own personal social media accounts on websites such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.  However, as of last night, all the remaining contestants accounts have been relinquished and combined into an official Ai9 Twitter Page, followed by cookie cutter message to their subscribers, friends and fans “please follow me here @AI9Contestants.”

Speculators say this change is a way for producers to maintain a sense of mystery that surrounds American Idol, since the number of followers, friends and fans of their individual social media accounts might indicate fan favorites early on. Others are saying it is an invasion of the contestant’s personal rights to have their own personal social media pages.

While this change might help keep American Idol results at bay, it could also be a sign of privacy and personal rights disputes to come. Will schools and large corporations force their students and employees to lose their online identities for the sake of a greater entity?

Only time will tell, but what are your thoughts?

Source:
http://mashable.com/2010/03/04/american-idol-contestants/

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  • Sherri
    I see where the Idol execs are coming from. If contestants have their own social media accounts, they have free range to market themselves and gain voters however they please. However, American Idol is a vocal competition, not a popularity contest. While popularity does come into play, I think the votes will be more honest without the use of individual social media accounts.

    Although Jace, I do agree. Putting a hold on their accounts might make a bit more sense in this situation.
  • GTD
    Hey, if you want to be on the show, you do what it takes. If your social media accounts are more important than making it on the show...that's your prerogative
  • Rejoice
    You have to be joking???? Does anyone else see a problem with this?
  • Jace S.
    I can see how they don't want people to know the outcome, but that's pretty strict. Can't they just stop them from adding new friends or put their accounts on hold? Doesn't that make more sense for them as individuals?
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