Throwing an American Idol Party for Any Age

by | Feb 4, 2015 | American Idol, media, music, toddlers, tv shows | 137 comments

  Can you remember back to the first episode of American Idol you ever watched?

 

american idol audition

 

The first season I remember watching was season 2 with Ruben Studdard {and Clay Aiken}. I remember watching him win, in my parents’ bedroom alone in the dark… I wasn’t a huge fan of Clay and I wanted Ruben to win. I watched the finale when the confetti fell on the stage, and that big dude with a teary grin as he sang. I cried and had chills right along with him… It was like freaking Olympics…for musicians! Man, it was magical. I’m such a sucker for people who get to finally see their dreams realized.

jennifer

 

 

 

For me, it’s been fun to watch some of these amazing stars emerge from Idol. Two of my all-time favorite artists are Jennifer Hudson {who won an Academy Award for DreamGirls}and Carrie Underwood {who’s been crowned Country Music’s Reining Queen}. I watched that season EVERY week, and like most, had picked her from the start. As we were jammin out in the car just yesterday, husband declared her to be his favorite country artist ever {from an Arizona cowboy, that’s sayin something}.

We have followed a few other singing competition shows and this one seems to be the only one that can really spit out superstars right into the mainstream! I literally joke almost every day about the song I would sing to audition and have a list on my phone at all times… and apparently my kids are starting to pick up on the passion of it all. Music is serious business here too… #nailedit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I ask my kid if he wants to listen to Frozen in the car, he’ll say, No mom, Sam Smith. He knows his artists, it’s true. And he’s been “rocking out” {as he calls it} since he could hold a guitar… and his memory for music is quite comical. After one time of hearing a song on the radio, he will be repeating it all afternoon.

 

 

boston guitar player

 

When he catches us watching a “singing show” he grabs his guitar and comes to sit just like this. Or in our biweekly jam session that his dad and I have. Music around here is kind of a thing…

 

 

,

 

 

american idol party ideas
I got to thinking about how we could really get into the spirit a little more this season since my kids are such music fans. Here’s a few fun party ideas that I found that would make for some great Idol parties! Both my kids are singers all. day. long. When they are a bit older, I might need to throw an Idol Birthday. For now, here’s a few ideas to save for later {or I might need to throw an adults only party real soon. Takers??}

 

 

american idol party idea
Make up some quick contestant badges! Super easy and would be lots of fun to grab at the door, especially if you are going to have a karaoke competition!

 

american idol teen party
Which you should! We just did a karaoke throw-down with a bunch of adults and it was a hilarious party. If you have an apple tv, there are tons of karaoke songs on youtube that you can just share to your screen. The kids ate it up. And check out this cute invite: Grab one of these from an Etsy designer here.

 

american idol party invitation tickets
And these microphone cupcakes from Spiced Blog
I would make in a heartbeat. They would also be perfect for any age. They just look perfect!

 

microphone cupcakes idea
Or check out a few of these cute ideas from Catch My Party likethese adorable guitar cookies. My guitar-playing husband would actually think this is fun….

 

04-rockstar-party
Be sure to make All-Access VIP passes to go along with your contestant badges. The littles would LOVE these!

 

25-rockstar-party
And just look how cute! How fun would it be to have an actual runway for your guests {big or small} to enter in, and I love the speakers near the table. This would be a perfect way to get in the mood.

 

05-rockstar-party
And of course if I were throwing a couples party, I would even go so far as to make bingo cards with the contestants so we could watch the show and make a game out of it. The men would find this hilarious. This one is from a previous season obviously, but it would still be fun to do.

 

american idol bingo
image found here I follow the page on facebook and saw this clip that got me even more excited to watch this season!

 

 

Now I am pumped to get partying. Anyone want to come over and play?! Wednesday and Thursday nights 8/7c on FOX {in case you forgot}

 

Do you have a favorite contestant on the show right now?

 

Tell me who you are rooting for in the comments for a chance to win $100 VISA gift card. Entry Instructions: 

 

No duplicate comments.  You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

 

 

    1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

 

  • Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including #SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

 

 

  • Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

 

 

  • For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

 

 

    This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 2/4/15 – 2/11/15. Be sure to visit the American Idol brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

137 Comments

  2. Natalie
    Natalie on February 4, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    My favorite contestant on the show right now is Tyanna Jones! She has a great voice.

  3. Keolani Smith
    Keolani Smith on February 5, 2015 at 12:33 am

    Love me some American idol!!!! It’s my mom/daughter bonding show, for sure!!

  4. Katherine
    Katherine on February 5, 2015 at 5:38 am

    It is not far enough in for me to decide who to root for yet

  6. Lisa Brown
    Lisa Brown on February 5, 2015 at 6:02 am

    I don’t have one i am rooting for yet.

  8. Mami2jcn
    Mami2jcn on February 5, 2015 at 6:04 am

    I haven’t watched the show since Season 7 so I don’t have a favorite right now. I admire Jennifer Hudson for all she’s accomplished. My favorite season of American Idol was Season 7. I was a big Jason Castro fan at the time.

  9. Mami2jcn
    Mami2jcn on February 5, 2015 at 6:08 am

    tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/563338273855385600

  10. Julie Wood
    Julie Wood on February 5, 2015 at 6:17 am

    I really like Shannon Berthiaume! She is a great singer!!

  12. Kelly D
    Kelly D on February 5, 2015 at 6:45 am

    I only watched one episode, and I liked Hollywood Anderson. Not sure if he is still in the running.

  14. rachel
    rachel on February 5, 2015 at 7:12 am

    I haven’t been able to watch this year so I need to get caught up!

  15. nicole dz
    nicole dz on February 5, 2015 at 7:19 am

    I have been so busy I haven’t had a chance to watch, so I can’t really say who I am rooting for, but my all time favorite was Carrie Underwood.

  17. Jessie C.
    Jessie C. on February 8, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    I don’t have a favorite contestant on the show right now. My favorite from past seasons is Kelly Clarkson.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

  18. Jessie C.
    Jessie C. on February 8, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    -https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/564281261335003136

  19. WHITNEY
    WHITNEY on February 8, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    I don’t really have a favorite contestant yet. I just started watching the show on Hulu a couple of days ago. I’m still at the auditions.

  21. Susan Smith
    Susan Smith on February 8, 2015 at 4:49 pm

    I don’t have one I am rooting for yet.

  23. Debbie B
    Debbie B on February 8, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    i don’t have a favorite yet – i usually wait until later in the season to choose

  25. Denise L
    Denise L on February 8, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    I don’t know his name (I’m terrible with names), but I love that big guy with the crazy curly hair. He seems like an underdog…and I always root for the underdog 🙂

  27. Janice Cooper
    Janice Cooper on February 8, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    I haven’t been able to keep up with the show this season, but my all time favorite American Idol is Kelly Clarkson and I also like Jennifer Hudson.

  29. Adrienne gordon
    Adrienne gordon on February 9, 2015 at 2:44 am

    I havent made up my mind yet.

  30. MelissaO
    MelissaO on February 9, 2015 at 3:43 am

    No, I don’t yet have a favorite contestant.

  31. Cynthia C
    Cynthia C on February 9, 2015 at 4:40 am

    I have not seen the show this season. I’ll have to remember to tune in and follow.

  33. s riches
    s riches on February 9, 2015 at 4:53 am

    I have not picked a favorite singer to root for yet on this season of American Idol.

  34. Sandy Klocinski
    Sandy Klocinski on February 9, 2015 at 5:33 am

    I don’t really follow the show so I have no favorite contestant on the show right now

  36. Sean
    Sean on February 9, 2015 at 6:10 am

    hollywood!

  37. Margaret Smith
    Margaret Smith on February 9, 2015 at 6:47 am

    Right now, I like Tanya Jones the most

  39. Ellie Wright
    Ellie Wright on February 9, 2015 at 8:15 am

    I’m a huge fan, and have been from the start. I never miss an episode. But I haven’t established a favorite yet this year. I usually wait until the top 24 or top 12 to pick one.

  41. nickie
    nickie on February 9, 2015 at 8:43 am

    I don’t have one i am rooting for yet.

  42. Kiara
    Kiara on February 9, 2015 at 9:51 am

    I haven’t watched the show this year.

  43. BusyWorkingMama
    BusyWorkingMama on February 9, 2015 at 10:36 am

    I don’t have a favorite quiet yet, but we are enjoying watching Idol!

  44. Richard Hicks
    Richard Hicks on February 9, 2015 at 11:03 am

    I like several but Garrett Miles is one of my favorites.

  46. Name*
    Name* on February 9, 2015 at 11:09 am

    I decided not to watch this year – we are just too busy, but Kelly Clarkson is my favorite past American Idol singer. She’s had a successful career but seems to have stayed a real person.

  47. Debbi Wellenstein
    Debbi Wellenstein on February 9, 2015 at 11:30 am

    I don’t have a favorite right now-I usually decide later on in the season.

  49. Chi Shannon
    Chi Shannon on February 9, 2015 at 11:32 am

    I haven’t watched the show since the first seasons, however, so I won’t be watching this season either. It’s just not my bag! 🙂

  50. Chrystal D
    Chrystal D on February 9, 2015 at 11:36 am

    I have never watched this show.

  51. Cheryl Larimer
    Cheryl Larimer on February 9, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    So far I am watching Jess Lamb

  52. Stephanie V
    Stephanie V on February 9, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    No favorite yet – usually pay more attention for final 10
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

  53. Suzanne K
    Suzanne K on February 9, 2015 at 2:52 pm

    I’m not watching this year.

  54. Lisa V.
    Lisa V. on February 9, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    I’m still waiting for them to whittle the contestants down to the top 24 before I start rooting for my favorite. But right now, Jax stands out for me.

  55. Crystal F
    Crystal F on February 9, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    I’m sorry to say that I am not watching this season. This is the first season that I haven’t watched atleast a little bit of the show.

  56. mickeyfan
    mickeyfan on February 9, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    I generally wait until all the finalists are set before I get too invested in a favorite.

  57. Barbara Montag
    Barbara Montag on February 9, 2015 at 7:29 pm

    I wasn’t able to watch American Idol yet this season because of work hours conflict.
    I think Carrie Underwood is the best they’ll ever have!
    thank you

  59. erica best
    erica best on February 9, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    i am not watching this year

  61. heather s
    heather s on February 9, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    Not yet I just started watching it.

  62. jessica
    jessica on February 9, 2015 at 11:13 pm

    Carrie Underwood is my favorite american idol winner

  63. joe gersch
    joe gersch on February 10, 2015 at 1:37 am

    I do not have a favorite

  64. kim h
    kim h on February 10, 2015 at 4:08 am

    I am not sure who to vote for since I do not watch much

  65. Linda G.
    Linda G. on February 10, 2015 at 8:19 am

    I haven’t decided who I will root for yet, undecided!

  66. Sarah
    Sarah on February 10, 2015 at 8:53 am

    Shannon Berthiaume

  68. Sarah Hirsch
    Sarah Hirsch on February 10, 2015 at 10:27 am

    I don’t have a favorite contestant this season yet. It is too early.

  69. Erica B.
    Erica B. on February 10, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    I don’t have a current favorite.

  70. Breanne
    Breanne on February 10, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    I’ve never watched American Idol.

  71. Ed
    Ed on February 10, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    I do not have a favorite contestant on the show right now.

  72. Stephanie Larison
    Stephanie Larison on February 10, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    We have it DVR’d with this current season but haven’t had much time to watch it yet with a new little one. So right now I don’t have a fave.

  73. Laura S
    Laura S on February 10, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    No favorites yet. I missed several shows this year because of work and it’s still too early to pick favorites yet.

  75. Lisa Garner
    Lisa Garner on February 10, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    I haven’t tuned in to watch yet this season so I don’t have a favorite yet.

  77. Daniel M
    Daniel M on February 10, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    I haven’t been watching so not rooting for anyone

  78. tina reynolds
    tina reynolds on February 10, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    I havent got to watch it yet this year

  80. CHRYSA
    CHRYSA on February 10, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    I’m a little behind with episodes on the DVR and still on Hollywood week. No favorites yet!

  81. paige jagan
    paige jagan on February 10, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    No favorite yet! I like them all 🙂

  82. Bruce
    Bruce on February 10, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    No favorite yet

  83. Seyma Shabbir
    Seyma Shabbir on February 10, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    I do not have a favorite contestant as of yet, but I liked the girl playing the ukelele.

  85. Connie Tucker
    Connie Tucker on February 10, 2015 at 7:32 pm

    I don’t have a favorite as I haven’t been able to keep up as well this season

  86. Beverly Metcalf
    Beverly Metcalf on February 10, 2015 at 9:07 pm

    No favorites yet, but I do love watching this. Thanks!

  87. Tara O.
    Tara O. on February 10, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    I don’t have a favorite contestant quite yet! I need the singers to be narrowed down first!

  88. joni
    joni on February 10, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    I do not have a favorite yet this year. But Daughtry is my all time fave.

  89. Jerry Marquardt
    Jerry Marquardt on February 10, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    I currently do not have a favorite yet. I will have to wait until later in the season to make a decision.

  92. Betty C
    Betty C on February 10, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    I can’t watch this year due to my work schedule.

  95. kathy pease
    kathy pease on February 11, 2015 at 4:40 am

    I have not been watching this year so I have not seen any of the contestants but will have to tune in

  97. Karen Drake
    Karen Drake on February 11, 2015 at 5:20 am

    I don’t have a favorite yet but I am sure I will closer to the end.

  98. Tracey Byram
    Tracey Byram on February 11, 2015 at 6:18 am

    I don’t watch american idol

  99. Leah Shumack
    Leah Shumack on February 11, 2015 at 7:05 am

    I haven’t watched in a few years because SVU and Criminal Minds are on at the same time and I can only tape/watch 2 things at a time

  101. Francine Anchondo
    Francine Anchondo on February 11, 2015 at 8:43 am

    I have a few people I like but usually wait until the top 24 or however there doing it this season to pick one :).

  102. Kirsten
    Kirsten on February 11, 2015 at 8:48 am

    We dropped cable so not watching.

  103. Name*
    Name* on February 11, 2015 at 9:12 am

    I do not…I usually will root for friends of friends..(which you would be surprised how many have showed up…at least the first few weeks or so )

  104. Scott
    Scott on February 11, 2015 at 9:30 am

    Haven’t been watching the show but need to start watching it on hulu

  106. Mitch Rappaport
    Mitch Rappaport on February 11, 2015 at 9:31 am

    I haven’t watched this season. I miss the old judges. 🙁

  107. Sherry Conrad
    Sherry Conrad on February 11, 2015 at 10:00 am

    I am not watching this year.

  109. ANGEL JACKLYN
    ANGEL JACKLYN on February 11, 2015 at 10:05 am

    I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO WATCH THE SHOW THIS SEASON BECAUSE OF SCHOOL HAS TOOK UP SO MUCH OF MY TIME, BUT I ALWAYS LOVED WATCHING JUST BECAUSE OF JLO!

  111. Leslie L. Stanziani
    Leslie L. Stanziani on February 11, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I am rooting for Adam Ezegelian.I just really like him.

  112. Roxann
    Roxann on February 11, 2015 at 10:45 am

    I haven’t watched AI this season so far so I don’t have a favorite.

  115. Rosanne
    Rosanne on February 11, 2015 at 11:49 am

    I used to love the show but stopped watching when Simon Cowell was off the show

  117. Giant Sis
    Giant Sis on February 11, 2015 at 11:53 am

    No favorite yet – but I lean towards female singers usually 😉

  119. Corey Olomon
    Corey Olomon on February 11, 2015 at 12:00 pm

    I haven’t picked a favorite yet.

  121. Donna Jacoby
    Donna Jacoby on February 11, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    We don’t have cable, so I don’t have a current favorite. Thank you for the giveaway!

  122. Donna Jacoby
    Donna Jacoby on February 11, 2015 at 12:56 pm

    I tweeted–https://mobile.twitter.com/DonnaJacoby2014/status/565614996726743042.

  123. thischickwins
    thischickwins on February 11, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    i don’t have a favorite, i’m not rooting for anyone in particular.

  124. Holly Kennedy
    Holly Kennedy on February 11, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    It’s still kind of early for me. I’m undecided.

  125. Kristen
    Kristen on February 11, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    Darn! I haven’t been watching this year yet! I heard Carlos Santana’s nephew had a really good audition….I’d like to see what he sounds like.

  127. maria cantu
    maria cantu on February 11, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    Have never seen the show.

  128. Kathryn C
    Kathryn C on February 11, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    no, can’t say that I have a favorite yet!

    KC

  130. Sarah
    Sarah on February 11, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    I do not have a favorite

  131. Buddy Garrett
    Buddy Garrett on February 11, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    I don’t have a favorite contestant right now. I usually decide who is my favorite later on..

  133. shea balentine
    shea balentine on February 11, 2015 at 8:30 pm

    We don’t have any type of tv service, so I haven’t been watching it

  135. William Henry
    William Henry on February 11, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    I really like this idea.

  136. Madeline
    Madeline on February 13, 2015 at 6:47 am

    I like Rickey Hendricks at the moment, or maybe Jax!