American Idol debuted in 2002 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, being one of the most successful TV programs and having a significant impact on the way talent shows are conceived, as well as on the careers of its artists.
Winning contestants not only take home an interesting prize money but also gain fame and exposure as the episodes unfold. This not only affects those who emerge victorious but also happens with talented artists who make it halfway.
Some of the participants of the reality show have achieved commercial success and have contributed to the evolution of popular music, as was the case with Jennifer Hudson or Adam Lambert, who are currently icons in the industry.
American Idol contestants who made it big
Jennifer Hudson | Season 3 – 7th Place
Winning American Idol is an exceptional achievement, but it does not guarantee a successful musical career in the future. Jennifer Hudson participated in the third season, and her elimination was one of the most shocking, given her tremendous talent.
Jennifer Hudson in American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
Not only did she have a commanding presence on stage, but also a wide vocal range. This provided her with a free pass in the industry, and in 2022, she became the youngest woman and the second Black person to achieve EGOT status, according to Screen Rant.
After her time on the reality show, she released three studio albums (Jennifer Hudson, I Remember Me, and JHUD). In addition to building a career in film and television, she has also served as a judge on various competitions, such as The Voice.
Chris Daughtry | Season 5 – 4th Place
Chris Daughtry shone during the 2006 season on the stage of the fifth season of American Idol, thanks to his extensive vocal talent and his ability to perform rock covers like no other. His elimination caused quite a bit of discontent because he was one of the favorites.
Chris Daughtry in American Idol. (Source: IMDb)
Despite finishing in fourth place, he formed the band Daughtry, where he is the lead singer. The group was quite successful, and the eponymous debut album became the best-selling rock debut album in the history of Nielsen SoundScan.
Adam Lambert | Season 8 – Runner-Up
Adam Lambert, who participated in the eighth season of American Idol in 2009, achieved recognition and success after the program. Following the finale, he released his debut album “For Your Entertainment,” which reached number three on the Billboard 200.
Adam Lambert in American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
He continued to garner success on the charts with subsequent albums, including “Trespassing” (2012) and “The Original High” (2015). These showcased his musical versatility and earned him a solid fan base, leading to worldwide tours.
One of the most notable collaborations was joining Queen as the lead vocalist in 2011. This partnership allowed him to perform the band’s classics on international tours, establishing himself as the official lead vocalist of Queen alongside Brian May and Roger Taylor.
Katharine McPhee | Season 5 – Runner-Up
Katharine McPhee, finalist of the fifth season of American Idol in 2006, has experienced success in various aspects of the entertainment industry. After her stint on the reality show, she ventured into music with her self-titled debut album in 2007. This included hits like “Over It.”
Katharine McPhee at an event for American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
Although it was not an overwhelming success, it solidified her position as a pop artist. Shortly thereafter, she delved into musical theater and performed in Broadway productions. Her performance in the musical “Waitress” was one of her most acclaimed projects.
Lauren Alaina | Season 10 – Runner-Up
Lauren Alaina, a finalist in the tenth season of American Idol in 2011, released her debut album “Wildflower” in 2011, which included singles like “Like My Mother Does.” Although it wasn’t a massive success, it provided her with a fan base and established her as an emerging country artist.
Lauren Alaina in American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
She has been nominated for and won several country music awards, including the CMT Music Awards and ACM Awards. Despite also dabbling in acting, her strength lies in the music industry, where she has released several successful singles, including “Road Less Traveled” and “What Ifs.”
Clay Aiken | Season 2 – Runner-Up
Clay Aiken, the runner-up of the second season of American Idol in 2003, has had a varied and successful career after his participation in the show. Following his stint on the show, he released his debut album “Measure of a Man” in 2003, which was a commercial success and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Clay Aiken at an event for American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
This album included singles like “Invisible” and “This Is the Night.” He continued to release several albums over the years, exploring different musical genres. He also ventured into musical theater and had roles in Broadway productions, with one of his notable projects being his participation in the musical “Spamalot,” based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Gabby Barrett | Season 16 – 3rd Place
Gabby Barrett, finalist of the sixteenth season of American Idol in 2018, focused on her musical career. In 2019, she released her debut single “I Hope,” which became a massive success. The song topped the country music charts and received platinum certification.
Gabby Barrett attends the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards. (Source: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
In 2020, she released her debut album titled “Goldmine.” The album includes a variety of songs showcasing her distinctive style within the country genre. Thanks to her success, she has collaborated with other renowned artists, with the most notable being Charlie Puth in a version of “I Hope.”
Kellie Pickler | Season 5 – 6th Place
Kellie Pickler, who finished in sixth place on the fifth season of American Idol in 2006, has been involved in music tours and has performed at major events. Her presence in the country music scene has kept her active in the concert and festival circuit.
Kellie Pickler in American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
After the reality show, she released her debut album “Small Town Girl” in 2006, which included successful singles like “Red High Heels” and “I Wonder.” Years later, in 2013, she ventured back into reality competitions and participated in the sixteenth season of “Dancing with the Stars,” which she won alongside Derek Hough.
Justin Guarini | Season 1 – Runner-Up
Justin Guarini, the runner-up of the first season of American Idol in 2002, followed the same path as many non-winners of the reality show. After his stint on the competition, he delved into music, acting, and other entertainment projects.
Justin Guarini at an event for American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
In 2003, he released his self-titled debut album, which included songs like “Sorry” and “Unchained Melody.” He has since appeared in theatrical productions such as “American Idiot” and “Romeo and Juliet. Also, he appeared in films like “Fast Girl” and “From Justin to Kelly.”
David Archuleta | Season 7 – Runner-Up
After his participation in the seventh season of American Idol in 2008, David Archuleta has continued his career in music and entertainment. Although he didn’t win the title, his second-place finish provided him with a platform to advance his career.
David Archuleta in American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
Immediately after the show, Archuleta released his self-titled debut album in 2008, which included hits like “Crush.” Over the years, he has continued to release albums and singles, exploring different musical genres, from pop to Christian music.
Haley Reinhart | Season 9 – Hollywood round
Haley Reinhart, finalist of the tenth season of American Idol in 2011, joined the list of contestants who have been successful after their time on the show. She also released her debut album, titled “Listen Up!”, which received praise for its musical eclecticism and distinctive voice.
Haley Reinhart in American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
Over the years, Haley Reinhart has continued to release music and explore different styles, including jazz and rock. She has collaborated with various artists and participated in notable projects, including her work with musician and producer Jeff Goldblum.
Diana DeGarmo | Season 3 – Runner-up
Diana DeGarmo, runner-up of the third season of American Idol in 2004, didn’t secure the title, but her outstanding performance allowed her to advance in her career. She continued her musical career by releasing albums and singles, achieving some significant successes.
Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young in American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
She also ventured into acting and the theatrical realm, having roles in Broadway productions, including “Hairspray” and “9 to 5: The Musical.” Additionally, she has appeared in television shows and movies, solidifying her presence in the entertainment industry.
Tori Kelly | Season 9 – Hollywood Week
Tori Kelly auditioned for the ninth season of American Idol in 2010 but was eliminated before reaching the Top 24. Despite not winning the competition, Tori Kelly managed to achieve success in the music industry and became one of the most well-known non-winners.
After her participation in the show, she focused on songwriting and independently released her music on YouTube, gaining recognition for her soulful voice and guitar skills. In 2012, she garnered more attention with her EP titled “Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly.”
Tori Kelly at an event for 2015 Billboard Music Awards. (Source: IMDb)
Her breakthrough came with her debut album, “Unbreakable Smile,” released in 2015, which included the successful single “Nobody Love.” The album received critical acclaim and established her as a rising star in the pop and R&B music scene.
Over the years, she continued to release successful albums, including “Hiding Place” (2018), which won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album.
Todrick Hall | Season 9 – Top 16
Todrick Hall, participant in the ninth season of American Idol in 2010, focused on his career as a singer, dancer, actor, and online content creator after his time on the show. One of the highlights of his career was his participation in the 15th season of the competition, where he returned as a mentor and judge.
Todrick Hall in American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. (Source: IMDb)
However, his success extended beyond television. Todrick Hall has released original music, participated in theatrical productions, and created popular content on platforms like YouTube. His official channel features music videos, parodies, and creative content that has gained millions of followers.
