With out a doubt, the biggest earning American Idol is Kelly Clarkson. With an estimated 19 million albums sold. Kelly Clarkson's first nationwide album "Thankful" was only the beginning for this American Idol. She made history recently for the largest leap to No. #1 spot in the chart's 50-year history. Her new single "My Life Would Suck Without You" jumped from the 97 spot of Billboards Hot 100 to the number 1 spot after selling 280,000 digital downloads.
Her journey has been a fairy tale dream that has set the precedent for all American Idol contestants. With the edgy appearance and upbeat attitude, Kelly Clarkson set the bar high and the American Idols that have followed her example cannot compare themselves with the first American Idol now turned pop superstar.
Carrie Underwood falls into the second place category. With an estimated 11 million albums sold. She has been a close runner up to Kelly Clarkson, but she is the first country American Idol. This alone has created revenue for the young idol of whom most of us are in awe. She is a multiple Grammy Award winner and multi platinum selling record artist. In April 5 2009, Underwood made country music history by becoming the seventh female in history to receive the Academy of Country Music Awards, "Entertainer of the Year Award".
Jennifer Hudson may have been voted off the show, but not winning American Idol has not slowed this diva down. After landing a major movie role in the movie Dreamgirls, America knew she was a force to be reckoned with. The movie role had been embraced by all and earned her an Academy Award for best supporting actress. She has been nominated three times for a Grammy Award. Her nominations were Best Female R&B vocal Performance. Best R&R Performance by a duo or group and the Best R&B album. Out of the awards she was nominated for, she was awarded the Grammy for the much coveted title of Best R&B album in 2008.
As American Idol keeps us all tune in weekly. With America on the tips of their toes, we are all hoping that we may find the next Idol to be as successful as these three reigning women of American Idol history. However, all American Idols reach some sort of notoriety. None has reached stardom quite the same as these three. Kelly, Carrie and Jennifer are now Hollywood's treasure brought to us by a simple show that lets America choose the winner. Perhaps this season America will choose a legend in the making.
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