American Idol Strips its Contestants of Social Media Identities

American Idol is something else - today's American Idol not being the something else it used to be though. Remember when it seemed like America in its entirety would watch the show attentively to root for favorites like Jordin Sparks? That doesn't seem to be the case these days. With the programs being on its ninth season, contestants are not getting the same kind of attention and the network is hungry for numbers.

During the beginning of this month, a new rule was put forth by the show. Contestants have actually been prohibited from having personal MySpace, Twitter, or Facebook pages. According to Wall Street Journal, contestant followers in these social networking websites received the following message during the first week of March: “Thanks so much for following me/joining my Fan Page! All my updates from now on will be on our Official American Idol 9 Contestant Page, please become a fan there to read all my updates throughout the season!”.

A fellow blog, Hyperbot, reports that this move might have been an attempt to pump up the numbers for the show in general (the sponsors do need to be pleased) and also to even out the attention to the contestants. Only a small number of the guinea pigs - I mean, finalists - have been getting the desired attention from the public. The producers are also prohibiting the contestants to "grow their own brand ad establish more direct [contact] with their fans" - whatever that means.

Going back on last weeks post, this seems like a big plot to control control control. It's doing exactly the opposite of what record labels want. Then again, record labels and American Idol have different plans and uses for their musicians.

Has anybody asked the contestants how they feel about this? Is anybody saying a peep? It wouldn't surprise me that no one would. These contestants must be petrified to even make a move judging by the way the network is controlling these humble contestants.

This is not only oppressing to these Americans trying to rise up the music ladder, but a blasphemy when it comes to the spirit of social networking.