Randy Madden, who once tried out for American Idol, has been arrested on serious charges involving a minor. The 45-year-old was picked up by police in Ventura County, California.
Fox News got hold of court papers that show he’s facing six felony charges. The charges include having sex with someone under 18, sending inappropriate material, trying to lure someone, and stopping a witness from reporting a crime. Madden says he’s not guilty of any of these charges. He got out of jail on November 4 after he paid bail and has to show up in court on November 13.
Back in 2008, Madden went on season 8 of American Idol and sang Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi for his tryout. Things didn’t go well for him though, as he “didn’t receive any ‘yes’ votes from the judges at the time.”
Former reality show stars keep getting into trouble with the law
Madden isn’t the only person from American Idol who has ended up in legal hot water. The singing show has helped start the careers of many famous singers over the years, but some people who appeared on it have gotten into serious trouble later on.
Benjamin Glaze went on the show in 2018 when he was just 19 years old. People remember him for “receiving an unplanned kiss from Katy Perry during his 2018 audition.” Last year, police in Oklahoma arrested him on child abuse material charges. He was 26 when they took him into custody in October 2024. In many criminal investigations, small details during an assault can lead to major breakthroughs.
Police got a tip about Glaze back in April 2024. They looked into it and got permission from a judge to search his home. “During the search, a smartphone was recovered that was found to contain over 700 images and videos of child sexual abuse material,” according to Tulsa Police. When Glaze auditioned for the show, he performed in front of judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
These legal problems are a far cry from what these people probably imagined when they first showed up to audition for the popular talent show.
American Idol has helped launch many successful music careers since it started, but these cases show that appearing on the show doesn’t guarantee a good outcome for everyone. Sometimes, what appears to be a sudden death can become a murder case once investigators learn crucial details.
Madden hasn’t said anything publicly about the charges he’s facing. For now, he’s out on bail while he waits for his court date next week.
Published: Nov 6, 2025 05:45 pm