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American Idol Photos

63 Metascore
2002-2016
15 Seasons
FOX
Reality
TVPG

Watchlist
Where to Watch

The smash reality series showcases wannabe pop stars competing for a record deal by crooning for a panel of judges, including, most entertainingly, the acid-tongued Simon Cowell, who departed the show in 2010 after serving for nine seasons. The judges review a performer's talent (or lack thereof), and at-home viewers then vote for their favorite potential star. The show helped launch the careers of such artists as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert.

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American Idol - Season 12 - "April 03, 2013: Finalists Compete" - Burnell Taylor

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American Idol - Season 7 - The Top 20 contestants

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American Idol - Season 13 - Wednesday, April 2 - Sam Woolf

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American Idol - Season 13 - Wednesday, March 19 - C.J. Harris

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American Idol - Season 12 - "May 02, 2013: Results Show" - Angie Miller, Amber Holcomb, Kree Harrison and Candice Glover

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American Idol - Season 8 - Kris Allen

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American Idol - Season 8 - Stevie Wright

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American Idol - Season 7 - Cardin Lee McKinney, 20, performs in front of the judges in Atlanta

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American Idol - Season 12 - Angela Miller

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American Idol - Season 12 - "May 01, 2013: Finalists Compete" - Angie Miller and Harry Conick, Jr.

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American Idol - Season 8 - Nathaniel Marshall

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American Idol - Season 7 - Alaina Whitacker performs in front of the judges

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American Idol - Season 11 - Hollie Cavanagh

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American Idol - Season 7 - Kristy Lee Cook

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American Idol - Season 10 - Jacob Lusk

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American Idol - Season 7 - Amanda Overmyer performs

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American Idol - Season 6 - Phil Stacey is eliminated, Ryan Seacrest - airdate May 2, 2007

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American Idol - Season 7 - David Archuleta performs

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American Idol - Season 12 - "Top 10 Perform" - Kree Harrison

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American Idol - Season 12 - "April 17, 2013: Finalists Compete" - Candice Glover

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American Idol - Season 11 - Phillip Phillips

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American Idol - Season 8 - Louisville auditioner Rebecca Garcia

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American Idol - Season 10 - Matt Frankel

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American Idol - Season 12 - "May 01, 2013: Finalists Compete" - Candice Glover

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American Idol - Season 7 - Top 11 - Amanda Overmyer performs

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American Idol - Season 11 - Heejun Han

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American Idol - Season 8 - Adam Lambert

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American Idol - Season 12 - Chris "Mushroom" Barthel

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American Idol - Season 8 - Jackie Tohn

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American Idol - Season 12 - Lazaro Arbos, Amber Holcomb, Paul Jolley, Curtis Finch, Jr., Janelle Arthur, Kree Harrison, Devin Velez, Burnell Taylor, Angie Miller and Candice Glover