by Miguel Polanco-Plata

Created on: May 03, 2009   Last Updated: May 04, 2009

Choosing the most successful American idols is not a hard task when you take into consideration the contestants whose songs you know off the top of your head. Take Kelly Clarkson, whose album Break Away went Multi-Platinum in 2004. She has definitely made the best of the starting point that American Idol gave her since 2002. Her songs have topped the charts with a fan base of millions. From the beginning of her career to now, she has sold over 10,101,000 albums in the U.S alone. Her popularity is over the top and she continues to bring us joy through her music. But not all Idol seasons had sensation like Kelly in season 2 - the winner was Ruben Studdard who hasn't exactly made a huge dent on our music culture. Sure, he's had some OK songs but nothing truly chart topping in comparison to the season one winner. Now onto season three. Although Fantasia was chosen to be number one, how many people really know who she is? Jennifer Hudson on the other hand, although not an Idol winner is very successful; she won a Grammy in 2008 for her music and has also gotten into acting where she has received numerous nominations for best supporting actress and won.

There are people who do not watch American Idol often and when they see people like Jennifer Hudson doing so well they often think the reason is because they won the contest. Now in season four we have a name that people both in the pop and the country world know Carrie Underwood, who has blown up since winning American Idol. Her album titled Some Hearts was certified seven times platinum and still is the fastest selling debut country album in Nielsen SoundScan history. That is very impressive - she is also one of my top favorite American Idols.

Season five in my opinion has yielded some of the most successful Idols, like Katherine McPhee, Elliot Yamin, Chris Daughtry and Bucky Covington. These four artists are still going strong with the music they put out into the world Chris Daughtry during his albums first five week release sold over one million copies. Elliot Yamin's song Wait for you is known all over the country. These artists have put their all into their passions and continue to come out on top.

Season six offered us Jordin Sparks while season seven gave us David Cook, these two idol winners have also gone on to make their own albums and sell thousands of copies. Many people go on American idol and even if they don't make the cut think they'll have some kind of deal at the end of the show. When it really comes down to success, the person who really wants it doesn't have to be first or even a runner up their talents just have to shine through so here are the best of the best.

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