Former American Idol Contestant Randy Madden Arrested on Suspicion of Sex with Minor
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Former American Idol contestant Randy Madden is facing multiple felony charges after he was accused of having sex with a minor. The 45-year-old’s charges stem from at least one alleged sexual encounter between July and September of this year, according to online records from the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, reviewed by PEOPLE. TMZ first reported the news.
The records show that Madden was charged on Monday, Nov. 3, with unlawful sexual intercourse, anal and genital penetration by a foreign object, oral copulation of a person under 18, sending harmful matter, luring, and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime. Madden appeared in court via Zoom and pleaded not guilty to all counts, per online records.
After being booked by the Ventura County Sheriff on Thursday, Oct. 30, Madden posted $100,000 bail and was released on Tuesday, Nov. 4, according to online jail records reviewed by PEOPLE. Madden’s next court date has been scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13.
Madden was a contestant on Season 8 of American Idol. He auditioned for the show in Phoenix, performing “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. The singer did not receive a “yes” vote from any of the four judges, eliminating him from the competition. Ventura County Sheriff’s online records list Madden’s occupation as “disabled.”
Madden currently has a GoFundMe link on his Instagram page bio, requesting help with “living expenses Rent, Utilities, Gas, etc.” The campaign, which Madden created, claims that he cannot walk without crutches or a cane after suffering a “horrific motorcycle accident caused by brake failure” in September 2023. In a June 18, 2025, update, Madden wrote that he had undergone seven surgeries and said he needed two more surgeries to repair his leg.
“My recovery has been challenging, and I can’t currently work as a hairdresser due to my condition. Recent surgery involved moving muscle to cover an infection, and I’m now dealing with potential complications,” he wrote at the time. “With rising costs for gas and transportation, I’m trying to minimize expenses while focusing on my recovery.”
People Editorial Guidelines and Danielle Bacher Published on November 4, 2025
Ingrid Vasquez
Ingrid Vasquez is a Digital News Writer at PEOPLE. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor in Journalism. Before joining the team, she worked as an Editor at FanSided and provided work in the celebrity and lifestyle space for brands that include Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, EW, and more.
PEOPLE has reached out to Madden and his lawyer for comment. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.