American Idol Collectible Cards Under Way

NORTH LAS VEGAS: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has teamed up with The Upper Deck Company for a line of collectible trading cards based on the hit FOX series American Idol.

The new collectible cards will hit retail on April 21, and will feature a variety of Idols past and present—the likes of Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken and David Archuleta—alongside celebrities such as Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ryan Seacrest. Cards will also showcase some of the show’s more memorable "novelty" acts. The set includes select autographed cards from this season’s top 36 finalists as well as several past American Idols.

Sets will include lenticular "makeover" cards showing contestant transformations from their initial auditions to their polished Hollywood week performances. There are also autographed cards, featuring signatures from Idols such as Sparks, Archuleta, Fantasia Barrino, Michael Johns, Carly Smithson and Elliott Yamin. Every foil pack will include a unique code to enter online for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to the American Idol season eight finale.

"We’re ecstatic that we have the opportunity to produce the newest American Idol trading cards to hit the market," said Ana Pereira, Upper Deck’s brand manager for American Idol Collectible Cards. "The show has such a loyal following and has produced such dynamic performers, that we know collectors and fans everywhere will appreciate our collectible set."