May 11, 2011 by: Kristin Wong
The old cliché, “winning isn’t everything” is especially true for the contestants on American Idol. If you’ve got the chops and you’re talented, chances are, being on the show will get you recognized. Hell, sometimes you don’t even need talent. Sometimes all you need is to write a little diddy about people’s pants.
Jennifer Hudson: Success really doesn’t come in a better package than a big, gold Academy Award. Jennifer Hudson might have come in seventh place during the third season of Idol, but that didn’t stop her from taking home an Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA Image Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for her role in Dreamgirls. She even won a Grammy Award for her eponymous debut album, Jennifer Hudson, which was released in 2008.
Kelly Clarkson: As the winner of the very first season, Clarkson is the American Idol pioneer. She has eight top ten singles in the US and her worldwide album sales total at over 22 million.
Carrie Underwood: Carrie went country shortly after winning the fourth season of Idol. Despite her genre, Underwood has reached the top 40 in pop music ten times.
Jordin Sparks: Jordin Sparks became the first teenager to win American Idol, going home with the victory at the age of 17. Sparks’ first album generated three top 10 singles.
Adam Lambert: Lambert released his debut album, For Your Entertainment in 2009, and it reached number three on the Billboard 200. Lambert was nominated a Grammy in 2010.
Clay Aiken: Sure, most of his music seems to be Christmas-themed, but with nine tours under his belt, Clay Aiken’s position as one of the most successful Idol stars is more than justified. Aiken ventured outside of the music business, writing a best-selling book and becoming a UNICEF ambassador.
Fantasia: The Grammy Award-winning singer quickly rose to fame after she won the third season of American Idol. Fantasia had immediate success as an R&B singer, and then made her way to Broadway, where she had a role in the musical The Color Purple.
Jennifer Hudson: Success really doesn’t come in a better package than a big, gold Academy Award. Jennifer Hudson might have come in seventh place during the third season of Idol, but that didn’t stop her from taking home an Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA Image Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for her role in Dreamgirls. She even won a Grammy Award for her eponymous debut album, Jennifer Hudson, which was released in 2008.
Kelly Clarkson: As the winner of the very first season, Clarkson is the American Idol pioneer. She has eight top ten singles in the US and her worldwide album sales total at over 22 million.
Carrie Underwood: Carrie went country shortly after winning the fourth season of Idol. Despite her genre, Underwood has reached the top 40 in pop music ten times.
Jordin Sparks: Jordin Sparks became the first teenager to win American Idol, going home with the victory at the age of 17. Sparks’ first album generated three top 10 singles.
Adam Lambert: Lambert released his debut album, For Your Entertainment in 2009, and it reached number three on the Billboard 200. Lambert was nominated a Grammy in 2010.
Clay Aiken: Sure, most of his music seems to be Christmas-themed, but with nine tours under his belt, Clay Aiken’s position as one of the most successful Idol stars is more than justified. Aiken ventured outside of the music business, writing a best-selling book and becoming a UNICEF ambassador.
Fantasia: The Grammy Award-winning singer quickly rose to fame after she won the third season of American Idol. Fantasia had immediate success as an R&B singer, and then made her way to Broadway, where she had a role in the musical The Color Purple.
