Since 2002, American Idol has launched many success stories. The memorable contestants and their journeys are what have created the "Idol" obsession. Nearly 30 million people tune in each week to watch as ordinary people get to pursue their dreams of stardom. Although each contestant desires to win the title of "The American Idol", many of the most successful past contestants were not the actual winners. Success can be measured by many factors, but there is no denying that the following are the most successful past contestants.
Kelly Clarkson:
Kelly Clarkson is definitely on the list of the most successful. Since winning the inaugural season of American Idol in 2002, she has made her way in the world of music. It has not always been easy for her as some of her decisions along the way actually turned out to be obstacles that she had to overcome (such as her starring role as Kelly Taylor in the film From Justin to Kelly). She has endured criticism from fans over her changing genres and turmoil with her music management team, but has managed to stay focused and is now a singing sensation.
Kelly is the number one idol when it comes to record sales, selling over 20 million records. She has released four albums, producing eight top ten singles. She also holds the distinction of having only the fourth album in history to stay in the billboard top 20 list for a full year. She has won two Grammy Awards, one BMI Award, four AMA Awards and twelve Billboard Music Awards. Her pop star status has even ventured to the country scene as she won a CMA Award for the Musical Event of the Year for her collaboration with Reba McEntire. There is no denying that our first American Idol winner has done the show proud.
Carrie Underwood:
Carrie Underwood also makes the list of most successful American Idol contestants. Carrie won the title in season four, which aired in 2005. Although Kelly has sold more albums than Carrie, she has also had more time to garner success since the launch of her stardom. Carrie's debut album "Some Hearts" sold over seven million copies, making it the best selling solo female debut in country music history. In addition, Carrie now holds the honor of having the best selling album of any past American Idol contestant.
Carrie has won four Grammy Awards, five AMA Awards, eight ACM Awards, five CMA Awards and fourteen Billboard Music Awards. In 2009, she made history when she won the ACM Award for Entertainer of the Year making her only one of seven females to ever win this honor. So look out Kelly, Carrie is hot on your tracks.
Clay Aiken:
Clay Aiken is the most successful male Idol contestant. Although he is number two in total album sales following Kelly Clarkson, he holds the honor of being the top Idol contestant in the sale of singles. In 2003, Clay missed the title by only 134,000 votes making him the runner up in season 2. Although he did not win the title of American Idol, many people actually remember him as winning, as his career has put him in the spotlight over the Idol winner Ruben Studdard.
Since his introduction on American Idol, Clay has released five albums. Clay has won one AMA Award, three Billboard Music Awards and an American Christian Music Award. In addition to his music career Clay has written a New York Times bestselling book and appeared on numerous television shows including Scrubs and The Tonight Show. Clay is now making his way on Broadway as the character Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot.
Jennifer Hudson:
The last notable contestant that must be included on a list of most successful past American Idol contestants is Jennifer Hudson. Although Jennifer recently released her debut album, her rise to stardom has been growing since her seventh place finish on season 3 in 2004. Jennifer starred in the film Dreamgirls which was released early in 2007. Her role as Effie White in this film launched her career and turned her from an Idol Star to a Super Star.
Jennifer is now one of very few actors to have won all four major screen acting awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Jennifer has also starred in the film Sex in the City and The Secret Life of Bees. In 2008, Jennifer endured unspeakable tragedy in her personal life, but she has bounced back and will continue to wow the world with her acting and musical performances.
American Idol may have started as a talent contest to find America's next pop star, but has become a launching pad for ordinary people to realize extraordinary dreams.