American Idol is facing criticism from longtime viewers after awarding a golden ticket to a singer who previously competed — and nearly won — on NBC’s rival series, The Voice.
Season 24 premiered Monday night with its first round of auditions in Nashville, Tennessee, and while only a handful of performances aired during the two-hour episode, eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed a familiar face among the contestants.
That singer was Jacquie Lee, a vocalist many viewers recognized from The Voice.
A Familiar Talent Returns to Reality TV
Jacquie Lee originally competed on Season 5 of The Voice in 2013 at just 16 years old. During her blind audition, she impressed coach Christina Aguilera with her rendition of Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black, earning a spot on Aguilera’s team.
Lee went on to make a deep run in the competition, ultimately finishing as the runner-up that season.
More than a decade later, she returned to the reality TV spotlight — this time on American Idol.
During her audition, Lee performed “I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, instantly winning over judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie, who unanimously awarded her a golden ticket to Hollywood.
Fans Accuse American Idol of “Recycling Contestants”
While many praised Lee’s performance, others were less enthusiastic about the show allowing former competitors from other singing franchises to audition.
“What is up with Idol recycling contestants from other shows?” one viewer wrote in a popular Reddit thread.
Fans also pointed out that Lee isn’t the first crossover contestant. Thunderstorm Artis competed on The Voice Season 18 before appearing on American Idol Season 23, while Drew Ryn, who made Idol’s Top 14 last season, previously reached the finals on The X Factor USA.
Mixed Reactions From Viewers
Not everyone saw the issue the same way. Some fans defended the practice, noting that crossover contestants have always been part of the genre.
“This happens a lot. Even back then, Idol contestants were on shows like Star Search before they went on Idol,” one commenter pointed out.
Another added, “The nature of these shows has changed. In 2002, people went on Idol to be the next Elvis. Now, many just want exposure and a platform.”
Others argued that Lee’s previous appearance on The Voice was so long ago that most viewers wouldn’t even recognize her.
“Her season aired over 10 years ago. That’s pretty niche knowledge at this point,” one fan wrote in her defense.
Still, some speculated that the move was a deliberate attempt to boost ratings, as American Idol continues to evolve to maintain its relevance after more than two decades on the air.
Ongoing Changes and Controversy at American Idol
The show has already undergone significant changes in recent seasons. Last year, Carrie Underwood joined the judging panel, replacing Katy Perry, marking the 20th anniversary of Underwood’s Season 4 victory.
While her return was celebrated by some, others have criticized her judging style, with calls from certain fans for her removal. According to The U.S. Sun, Underwood nearly stepped away from the show after feeling overwhelmed by public scrutiny.
To keep her on board, production reportedly made major adjustments, including eliminating Hollywood Week and extending filming in Hawaii to better accommodate Underwood and her family.
