AMERICAN Idol has been called out by fans for allowing contestants who previously competed on rival shows to audition.

Season 24 kicked off on Monday with its first round of auditions in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jacquie Lee from American Idol in a black lace dress and platform shoes.
American Idol fans called out the show for ‘recycling contestants’ from rival shows after spotting The Voice runner-up Jacquie Lee on the season premiereCredit: Getty

Christina Aguilera, Jacquie Lee, and Matthew Schuler performing on The Voice.
Jacquie was a finalist on Season 5 of The Voice on Christina Aquilera’s teamCredit: Getty
While only a small selection of auditions was televised within the 2-hour-long premiere, viewers noticed a pattern after spotting some familiar faces.

One vocalist, Jacquie Lee, was instantly recognized by fans, who are also avid watchers of NBC‘s The Voice.

The New Jersey native competed on Season 5 of The Voice, which aired in 2013, when she was 16.

She sang Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black during her blind audition, impressing then-coach Christina Aguilera, who recruited the teen for her team.

American Idol fans call Luke Bryan the ‘only good judge’ on show’s panel

Jacquie made it to the end of the competition, finishing as the runner-up of that season.

Now, she’s navigated back into the reality TV circuit, but this time, to sing before the American Idol judges.

Jacquie performed a rendition of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ 1956 hit, I Put a Spell on You, and instantly won over celebrity panelists, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie, earning herself a golden ticket.

However, some fans had enough of the apparent overlap between Idol and other singing competition shows and accused the ABC series of “recycling contestants.”

The Traitors banish one of their own as blindsiding betrayal drives rift

“What is up with Idol recycling contestants from other shows?” one person wrote in a popular Reddit thread.

They also pointed out that a similar occurrence happened with Thunderstorm Artis, who competed on Season 23 of Idol and Season 18 of The Voice, as well as Drew Ryn, who was among Idol’s Top 14 last season, and was a finalist on the first season of The X Factor USA.

All of American Idol’s Judges

The original trio of judges – Simon, Paula, and Randy, pioneered reality television and shattered ratings records during their run on the singing competition. Here are all of the A-listers who have followed in their footsteps:

Paula Abdul
Seasons 1 – 8 (2002 – 2009)

Simon Cowell
Seasons 1 – 9 (2002 – 2010)

Randy Jackson
Seasons 1 – 12 (2002 – 2013)

Kara DioGuardi
Seasons 8 – 9 (2009 – 2010)

Ellen DeGeneres
Season 9 (2010)

Steven Tyler
Seasons 10 – 11 (2011 – 2012)

Jennifer Lopez
Seasons 10 – 11 (2011 – 2012) & Seasons 13 – 15 (2014 – 2016)

Mariah Carey
Season 12 (2013)

Nicki Minaj
Season 12 (2013)

Keith Urban
Seasons 12 – 15 (2013 – 2016)

Harry Connick Jr.
Seasons 13 – 15 (2014 – 2016)

Katy Perry

Seasons 16 – 22 (2018 – 2024)

Luke Bryan

Seasons 16 – Present (2018 – )

Lionel Richie

Judge: Seasons 16 – Present (2018 – )

Carrie Underwood

Season 23 – Present (2025 – )

“Tbh this happens a lot. Even back then, Idol contestants were on shows like Star Search before they went on Idol,” someone else replied.

I think it’s just the changing nature of these shows. In 2002, you went on Idol trying to be the Elvis of your generation. Now, you go on these shows hoping…to be on TV for two minutes and have something to talk about when you’re back playing bars the next week,” said a third.

“Many viewers likely wouldn’t even know, especially considering her season of The Voice was over 10 years ago. At this point, it’s pretty niche knowledge,” defended a fourth.

Others suspected the move may be to “boost ratings,” as the show often makes changes to attract viewers and maintain its over two-decade-long run.

The show made a major change last season when Carrie signed on as a judge, replacing Katy Perry.

The year marked the 20th anniversary of Carrie’s Season 4 win on Idol, joining Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, and Fantasia Barrino as the show’s winners.

However, fans have been critical of Carrie’s role as a judge and have pleaded for her to be removed from the panel.

Tom Brady sends defiant statement over Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub

The Before He Cheats singer almost didn’t return to the show after feeling overwhelmed by the intense scrutiny last season, The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed.

Production made several significant format changes to ensure she stayed, including axing Hollywood Week and extending filming in Hawaii to accommodate Carrie and her family.

Thunderstorm Artis singing and playing guitar outdoors under string lights.
Last year’s Idol contestant, Thunderstorm Artis, also competed on Season 18 of The VoiceCredit: Getty

Drew Ryn performing on American Idol, sitting in a shiny silver outfit on a reflective stage.
Drew Ryn competed on the last season of Idol and was a finalist on the first season of The X Factor USACredit: Getty

American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan sit at a desk with "American Idol" written on it.
The judges for Season 24 of Idol are Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke BryanCredit: Getty