Former American Idol contestant Randy Madden has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a minor.
According to TMZ, who was the first to report the news, Madden, 45, is facing six felony charges, including oral copulation of a person under 18 and unlawful sexual intercourse. He’s also reportedly charged with anal and genital penetration by a foreign object, sending harmful matter, luring and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime.
The charges stem from at least one alleged sexual encounter that reportedly occurred between July and September of this year, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
Madden was charged on Monday, November 3, and pleaded not guilty to all counts. He was taken into custody with help from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office near Los Angeles.
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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.
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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.”
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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).
