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When it comes to American Idol contestants and celebrity status, there are very few I feel I can truly say have achieved "celebrity status." I would definitely put Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood into this category, and I think an argument could also be made for Chris Daughtry. Clay Aiken looked like he might have made this list after releasing his first album and having a successful single with "Invisible," but he really seems to have faded more into the background ("Invisible" is his only real hit, and his second album did not perform to expectations). As of this writing, Clay is about to have a role in the Broadway production of Monty Python's Spamalot.

The American Idol contestants have gotten their "fifteen minutes of fame," but for some, their fiftten minutes burned out faster than for others. Remember Justin Guarini? How about Ruben Studdard and Diana DeGarmo? Kellie Pickler? Bucky Covington? Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee? Bo Bice? Fantasia? These are just some of the former contestants who have put out music since appearing on American Idol, but none of them have truly achieved "celebrity status." Fantasia could have the potential to reach that status, but it may be taking her a little longer to get there, but only time will tell. As of this writing, news has come out that Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks, and Katharine McPhee have all lost their respective record label contracts and are currently label-less.

There's also Elliott Yamin, who has had one major hit this year with "Wait For You." Right now, there is no sign of a follow-up single on the horizon. Only time will tell with him whether he will continue to have success, or burn out as quickly as some of the other former contestants.

Just being a contestant on American Idol does not guarantee that person will achieve "celebrity status." Even if that individual does manage to achieve a kind of "celebrity status," there's no guarantee that that status will last very long.

Learn more about this author, Lesley Aeschliman.
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