American Idol Winner Already Dropped By Record Label Amid "Transition Period" In Career

Summary Winning American Idol doesn't guarantee success in the music industry, as seen with Noah Thompson's label drop.

Contestants like Will Mosely and Gabby Barrett have found success post-Idol, proving talent transcends winning.

American Idol's legacy lies in showcasing diverse talent, not just winners, with contestants still pursuing dreams.

Only two years after winning American Idol season 20, Noah Thompson has been dropped by his record label as he undergoes a transition period in his career. American Idol is a well-known talent show where contestants from all over the country come to pursue their singing dreams. After being persuaded by his co-workers to audition, Noah performed "Stay" by Rihanna, which helped him advance during the showstopper round. Despite facing tough competition, Noah eventually emerged as the winner, beating fellow contestants HunterGirl and Leah Marlene. This win would officially pave his way into the country music scene.

Noah Thompson, winner of American Idol season 20, is no longer a part of the 19 Recordings roster.

According to reporting from Heavy, the country singer has been released from his record deal with 19 Recordings. The release comes after the minimal success of his first EP Middle Of Nowhere, which didn't gain the same success as his debut single, “One Day Tonight." Although Noah is no longer signed to 19 Recordings alongside fellow alum HunterGirl, he continues to pursue his music. A representative told Heavy that “Noah is currently in a transition period in his career, but rest assured he is working on some of the best music of his career and will have lots of exciting announcements soon.”

American Idol Winners Are Not Guaranteed A Successful Music Career

Recent Success Stories Have Come From Idol Singers Who Didn't Win

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American Idol has showcased talent from all over the country vying for their big break; however, success is not always guaranteed, as some winners have learned after the show. Although some contestants have seen success after winning their season, some winners have faded into obscurity. Winners from the last four years have not experienced much success in recent years, which diminishes the importance of winning American Idol. On a show that features a diverse range of talented individuals, even those who don't win find success, as demonstrated by some notable musical acts who have been runners-up or placed third on the show.

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Although there can only be one winner, those who didn't win also didn't lose. Contestants like Will Mosely, Gabby Barrett, Boone Benson, and Lauren Spencer-Smith are a testament to this. Will, who finished second in American Idol season 22, will be the opening act for the Zac Brown Band at their June 2 show in Canandaigua, New York. Another contestant who actually quit the show but still found success is Benson. With one of the most streamed songs in 2024 so far, Benson will be an opening act for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

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These are only a few contestants that have found success after being eliminated on American Idol. They have managed to soar and continue to pursue their dreams without a win in the competition. This sets a precedent for American Idol season 23 that not all winners are successful and not all losers are unsuccessful. Talent and drive will ultimately be the deciding factor.

American Idol season 22 is available to stream on Hulu.

Source: Heavy