Randy Madden, a former contestant on American Idol, has been taken into custody following allegations of engaging in sexual activities with a minor.

As initially reported by TMZ, Madden, aged 45, faces six serious felony charges. These include accusations of oral copulation with someone under 18, unlawful sexual intercourse, penetration with a foreign object, distribution of harmful materials, and attempting to dissuade a witness from reporting the crime.

The charges are linked to at least one alleged incident that reportedly took place between July and September this year, as indicated by court documents accessed by TMZ.

On Monday, November 3, Madden was formally charged and entered a plea of not guilty to all accusations. His arrest was executed with assistance from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in the vicinity of Los Angeles.

While winning American Idol has launched many successful careers, the associated rewards have evolved significantly since the show began. Kelly Clarkson, the first winner in 2002, received a $1 million prize and a recording contract with RCA Records, according to Parade.

Us Weekly has reached out to Madden and police for comment. It’s unclear if Madden has obtained an attorney.

According to online records viewed by Us, Madden was booked on Thursday, October 30, and released on bond in the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 4. His next court date in Ventura County, California, is scheduled for November 13.

American Idol fans may remember Madden when he appeared on Season 8 of the hit singing competition show in 2009.

While auditioning in Phoenix, Arizona, Madden sang  “Livin’ On a Prayer” by Bon Jovi in front of judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

From Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood and beyond, see which singers have beat thousands of other contenders to win a recording contract on the Fox talent competition

All four judges gave Madden a “no” vote, and he was eliminated from the competition. (Kris Allen would go on to win the season, which also included Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey.)

Although an Instagram believed to be of Madden is private, the singer’s profile states: “I’m a little bit Country & little bit Rock & Roll. My fashion icon is Elvis Presley.” He also lists Casitas Springs — an unincorporated community in Ventura County, California — in his profile.

After auditioning for American Idol, it appears Madden became a hair salon owner.

“After COVID and putting everything I had into a salon I deeply believed in, I found myself doing mostly house calls,” he told ShoutOutLA in June 2025. “It was a challenging time, but it also reminded me how much people value personal, one-on-one service—and how much I value creating that kind of connection. As I continued that work, I kept coming back to a long-held dream: having a live-work space where I could fully integrate my creativity, business and lifestyle. … What sets me apart is my eye for style and my ability to make people feel seen and cared for.”

American Idol paved the way for reality competition shows to help everyday people achieve their dreams of music stardom. The series premiered in 2002 on Fox with a star-studded judging panel consisting of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. American Idol‘s freshman season introduced Kelly Clarkson, who would become the show’s first breakout star. […]

He also experienced a difficult injury that left him unable to walk without the use of crutches or a cane.

According to a GoFundMe, Madden was in need of financial support after he had ligaments replaced in May 2024. One month later, he went under the knife again due to complications in or around his knee.

“Any amount helps,” his GoFundMe stated. “In summary, I believe I need two more surgeries to repair my leg. I’ll never be 100 percent, but I’m improving. I’m still waiting for any help from the state through disability.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).