Throughout the original seasons of American Idol, fans not only learned about singers like Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, and Ruben Studdard but also Simon Cowell. From the first episode, Cowell offered just a taste of what it was like to have a career in the music industry. Completely shredding contestants with criticism, the record executive didn’t hold back on his thoughts. Even when fans lashed out, he just fired right back. And according to Aiken, that sort of criticism was somewhat missing in the new seasons of American Idol.

Looking back at his own time on American Idol, Aiken never forgot what it was like to perform on the stage and have Cowell pick a performance apart. Making it into the finale, Aiken ended up second as Studdard won the season. With over 24 million votes counted, the producers knew they had a hit show on their hands.

With the show recently concluding season 23 with Jamal Roberts winning, Aiken found himself looking at the competition in a different light. Besides bringing in a new group of contestants, the producers welcomed Carrie Underwood back. This time, she was a judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. But for Aiken, he urged the judges to do more than “hold those chairs down.” “After everybody performed, it’s like, ‘You’re a star! That’s great! You’re great! That was wonderful. That was the best!’ I’m like, ‘Why? What? What are you here for?’”

The One Judge Clay Aiken Praised for Their Criticism

Not wanting the judges to completely destroy a contestant’s dream, Aiken explained how there needed to be balance. “Like, there’s a happy medium, folks, between telling somebody that they need to sue their music teacher and telling them that they’re wonderful. There are constructive things that I still want after, you know, 22 years in this business.”

Although wanting American Idol to go back to the old ways, Underwood did gain some praise from Aiken. Hearing her break down a performance from Roberts, He said, “The fact that Carrie gave Jamal some criticism is actually great. Because it’s not something that has been happening on ‘Idol’ in the last eight years or so, and I feel like that was missing.”

With some fans agreeing with Aiken, their thoughts might become reality as a new season of American Idol will premiere in 2026.