Photo via screenrant.com
As a prelude to the twelfth season of American Idol, rather than do a normal preview of this season’s talent, I wanted to do something with a more historical scope. My Reality Check podcast partner-in-crime Tiffany (@TVProducerLady) and I jumped on Skype for a couple hours and went through every single top 12 (13 in some seasons) finalist in all eleven previous seasons and discussed them ad nauseum.
We didn’t come up with a specific algorithm to grade each finalist. We looked at how well they did in their season and also, what kind of impact they’ve made after Idol. And it doesn’t only have to be in music. Jennifer Hudson says hello. We averaged our lists together and spit out a pretty raucous top 20.
We’ll first look at the five honorable mentions who didn’t make the top 20 list.
David Archuleta: Who knew that seventh season runner-up David Archuleta would be so famous in the Philippines?
Crystal Bowersox: In one of the decisions just about anyone would go back and change, Bowersox lost to the worst winner in American Idol history, Lee DeWyze. That should be the last mention of DeWyze anywhere on this list. Crystal has a new album dropping later this month and she’s set to play Patsy Cline in a Broadway production.
Tamyra Gray: Her fourth place finish in the inaugural year of the show was a disappointment, but she wrote Fantasia’s first single I Believe, acted in the TV show “Boston Public”, and married sort-of-back-in-the-day Kenny G lookalike Sam Watters from Color Me Badd. He doesn’t look like Kenny G anymore.
Blake Lewis: Lewis’ runner-up finish to Jordin Sparks in season six was the last time a female has won the show. Since then, Lewis released A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream) (which I kind of liked), Heartbreak On Vinyl, and has Portrait Of A Chameleon on track for release later this year. But really, he’s this high on our list because of this great Idol moment.
20. Taylor Hicks
Season: 5
Place: 1
At the age of 29, Taylor Hicks was the oldest winner in Idol history. With his salt and pepper hair color, he also looked like the oldest. Even after his debut album went platinum, Hicks’ pop career didn’t set the world on fire. It was still the lowest selling first album by an Idol winner at the time. I’m sure they’d love for their winners to sell so much now, ahem Lee DeWyze (wait, I said I wasn’t bringing up his name again).
He was dropped by Arista in 2008 and since then, has gone the independent route. That being said, Hicks is doing his thing in Vegas, performing five times per week. Does he make you proud?
19. Jessica Sanchez
Season: 11
Place: 2
Jessica may have been hardest to place because Tiffany and I both rated her on what we expect her to do since she hasn’t even released her first album yet. But she’s an explosion waiting to happen. If the Idol voting demographics were fair, Sanchez would’ve won her season last year. It’s not, and it didn’t happen. (Really, Idol should just do an all-male show since that’s all who the viewers vote for.)
Sanchez’s music career is ready to blossom. She’s going to be huge in the Philippines. Yes, bigger than David Archuleta. Her first single is set to come out soon and it’s with Ne-Yo. And she’s set to do “Glee”. While it’s hard to predict someone’s success, I have a feeling that if we did this list two years from now, we would probably have her ranked too low.
18. David Cook
Season: 7
Place: 1
I will admit to being a little disappointed with how Cook has done so far. I thought he’d be another Daughtry with his strong vocals. He breezed through season 7 of American Idol doing very creative riffs on songs like Billie Jean, Eleanor Rigby, and my favorite, his reworking of Lionel Richie’s Hello.
By the way, the guy deserves props from me for dating Kimberly Caldwell a few years ago.
17. Scotty McCreery
Season: 10
Place: 1
McCreery is another who may end up much higher on this list if we were to put it together in a couple years. He has the it factor. I can see that and I’m not a huge country fan. I’ll let my buddy Matt Bjorke explain.
Taken from his review of McCreery’s album, Clear As Day:
From the very first moment I saw Scotty McCreery sing “Your Man” in his American Idol audition, I figured this was a kid who could have a career in country music and throughout the show, I was one of the ‘critics’ who kept steady with my belief in his chances at a big career and now, as the champion of the 10th season of American Idol, he has the chance to join Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood as the most successful winners of the show with the strong album that is Clear As Day, Scotty’s Mark Bright-produced 19/Interscope/Mercury Nashville album.
Country music fans take care of their artists and McCreery’s looks, sound, and charm will power him to continued success. And his future re-invention when he becomes 30 will bring him even more fans. The kid’s got a bright future ahead of him.
And he big timed Jack Black!
16. Ruben Studdard
Season: 2
Place: 1
Even though now superstar Kelly Clarkson won the first season, American Idol didn’t really become water cooler talk until Ruben vs. Clay in season two. Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken should have Fox stock. Those two, along with Simon Cowell, are really the reason American Idol took off. Studdard, the cool dude with the velvety voice faced off against Aiken, the goofy kid with the adult contemporary power pipes. Both men played their parts perfectly. It was Team Clay vs. Team Ruben and it seemed like everyone had an opinion.
Studdard’s releases have been an absolute mixed bag. His first release, Soulful was up and down and lacked actual soul. The Return was awful. But 2012’s Letters from Birmingham showed that Studdard has what it takes to make a great album. It’s soulful, heart-wrenching, and has a relationship theme. Can Studdard make a comeback ten years after Idol made him famous (or did he make Idol famous)?
15. Constantine Maroulis
Season: 4
Place: 6
How can someone who was eliminated at the halfway point of his season be on this list? It’s because of what he did after Idol. And really, the only thing memorable about his Idol run was how he’d eye f*** you in every song.
It wasn’t what Maroulis did in the music game that put him on our list. It’s what he’s done on Broadway. He starred as the lead in “Rock of Ages”, earning a Tony nomination. He’s currently in the works to be in “Jekyll And Hyde” with Deborah Cox which started off-Broadway and is slated to move on Broadway later this year.
(I actually met him at the Idol auditions in San Diego several years ago. He might’ve been up all night partying as he absolutely didn’t want to be there so early in the morning. And I don’t blame him. Thankfully, he wore sun glasses. I was scared he’d eye f*** me again.)
14. Diana DeGarmo
Season: 3
Place: 2
Diana DeGarmo may have very well have won many of the American Idol seasons that weren’t hers. And the only reason she didn’t win hers is because she ran into the juggernaut that was Fantasia. DeGarmo, much like Constantine, is on this list because of what she’s done on the stage, not in the recording studio.
She’s done Broadway versions of “Hairspray” and “Hair”, and has done other off-Broadway productions since 2005. She even joined the cast of the soap opera, “Young And The Restless” in 2011.
In a fun piece of Idol trivia, she and Idol alum Ace Young are set to be married later this summer after getting engaged in 2012. They’ve even teamed up for a TV show on the Hallmark Channel.
13. Kimberly Caldwell
Season: 2
Place: 7
Caldwell was one of the first Idol sex symbols, lasting as long as she did more so because of her looks than her vocals. And she’s used those looks as well as an engaging personality to become big in the hosting world. Tiffany, who is a producer in that world says that Kimberly is in big demand.
She’s hosted shows on CBS, Fox Sports, MTV, VH-1, and the Oxygen Network. She also used her Idol roots to host many shows pertaining to the TV show, which has always made an impression on me. She hasn’t forgotten where she came from.
12. Phillip Phillips
Season: 11
Place: 1
The guy with the most redundant name in the business also has a chance, alongside Scotty McCreery, to make Idol winners important again. Since Jordin Sparks’ win in season six, Idol winners haven’t been much of a big deal. Both McCreery and Phillips have a chance to do what Daughtry, Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood did before them – become real pop stars. He was the most interesting and bland contestant all at the same time. He just didn’t seem to care, which is part of his charm.
His single Home is the most successful American Idol single in seemingly forever. It’s everywhere. You see it used in tons of TV packages and commercials. His first album The World From The Side Of The Moon is solid work. He performed the National Anthem at the first game of the 2012 World Series. And his single Gone, Gone, Gone is just as catchy as Home is.
11. Elliott Yamin
Season: 5
Place: 3
During season five, Yamin was the diabetic kid who couldn’t hear and had a bad grill, but had such a soulful voice. He’s the most awkwardly impressive Idol contestant ever, showing that charisma and singing chops could go a long way on such a cosmetic show. Yamin is a Popblerd favorite as Big Money and I both feel like he has a crazy R&B album in him.
Yamin has stayed busy, constantly touring and creating album after album. He’s the most successful Idol artist who didn’t have a deal with a major label. He released his self-titled album in 2007. He then released two holiday albums back to back before coming back with Fight For Love in 2009. He released an album in Japan before 2012’s Let’s Get To What’s Real. Each of his regular US releases are consistently good.
This is still my favorite single from an American Idol alumnus ever.
63 comments
Big Money says:
Mar 11, 2013
I think McCreery and Phillips will move up the list over time. I dug Phillip Phillips’ album way more than I thought I would. He’s got chops.
I didn’t realize DeGarmo was still a thing. That album stunk up the joint. I’m glad she’s found her niche.
I wonder if Kimberly Locke is in the top ten!!
GG says:
Mar 11, 2013
About Kimberly Locke… Tiffany and I would’ve probably had her in the next set of honorables. The most prominent thing she’s done since Idol I think is Celeb Fit Club.
DeGarmo surprised me too after looking at her more closely. She just didn’t have an identity as a singer. Seems like the stage is a much better place for her.
I thought Phillips was a little high on our end being that he was only on last season, but Home kicks him into high, high gear.
George says:
Mar 11, 2013
Great list! Some big faves in there. I might have even switched a couple of your honorable mentions with folks on the list. Thanks for such a big comprehensive look at Idol. Can’t wait ’til you do it again in a couple of years after the show is gone.
Matt says:
Mar 11, 2013
Thanks for the shoutout.
I think idols new crop could have country singers too, with 3 of them (Jolley, Kree and Jeanelle). Look forward to seeing your second half!
GG says:
Mar 11, 2013
@George – Hahahahahaha! Do you think this is it?
@Matt – Whenever I need the pulse of country music, I go see what you’ve written about it.
Big Money says:
Mar 11, 2013
Isn’t Locke a TV host for “ET” or something like that?
“8th World Wonder” was a pretty big hit too.
Big Money says:
Mar 11, 2013
No way in hell. They’re coming off a hit record with Phillip Phillips-their biggest in years, too.
Lythgoe is going to beat that horse until it’s corpse is rotten and stinking.
GG says:
Mar 11, 2013
@Big Money – Kim Locke’s single was a hit when all their stuff was hitting though. That was the season of can do no wrong. Obviously, this list is all about timeliness too. If it was just three or four years ago, she’s probably on it.
George says:
Mar 11, 2013
I don’t think Idol is going anywhere any time soon. A couple of more years for the other shows to chip away? A couple of more years of rating declines? Maybe.
They’re losing Thursdays among 18-49s (so maybe that nonsense will stop) to Big Bang Theory, and they’ve barely held off NCIS on Tuesdays.
I agree with Money Mike in general. I think Keith Urban will crossover more than he ever has, that Nicki Minaj will stop scaring whitebread America and that Randy Jackson is one lucky SOB.
And I agree that Nigel will ride this horse until it becomes glue too.
But it has to stay a Top 20 show to remain relevant. I don’t know if that happens in 2016. Smart call on relevant judges this year though.
GG says:
Mar 11, 2013
That rating number is going to be interesting this year. They could always say they were still the number 1 show in America. Then Dancing With The Stars chipped away. I think The Voice beat it a few teams.
It looks like they’ll settle in with about 13 million viewers a week which is still strong enough.
As for how interested I’m in, I haven’t been less interested ever, which says more about the actual talent than anything else because I’m enjoying Carey and Minaj.
Big Money says:
Mar 11, 2013
Eh, I don’t see Urban getting much out of this. He hasn’t exhibited much in the way of personality, based on what I’ve seen.
GG says:
Mar 11, 2013
Urban is a very eloquent Paula. Only says positive things.
TVProducerLady says:
Mar 12, 2013
Phillip Phillips is SOOO hot.
Big Money says:
Mar 12, 2013
Tiffany is correct.
GG says:
Mar 12, 2013
What a dream. I mean, the boy sings well.
Violet says:
Mar 15, 2013
I don’t know what your personal criteria is but Archuleta has sold more albums and made more money each year than several on your list (he’s been in the Forbes top 10 Idol earners every year). If you are also counting non-pop-related things (which you seem to be) he hit the NY Times Bestseller list with his memoir, was the 2010 guest soloist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas concert series (audience of 21,000 each night), was included in the Spanish language We Are the World “Somos el Mundo”, and starred in a 25-episode miniseries in the Philippines (including fist-fights haha). So far he has sung in 6 languages – English, Spanish (and won the ALMA award), Latin, French (a bit), Tagalog and Italian. Whatever you think of him, I admire him. He sticks to his values and he works extremely hard. David is currently serving a 2-year church mission in Chile (be back April 2014). His 6th album will be released March 26, 2013 and his twitter is DavidArchie (manager Kari tweets while David’s on his mission).
GG says:
Mar 15, 2013
In US sales, he’s sold about a combined 1 million records. And his last album in the US sold 14,000 units. That’s mostly why. The overseas stuff is great and that’s why he made our honorable mention, but in the US, he’s pretty much out of sight, out of mind. Maybe his next album will be a minor hit and could jump start him again.
Thanks for reading and for the Archie facts!
Violet says:
Mar 15, 2013
But album sales is apparently not your criteria. Kimberly Caldwell has sold 3,000 albums and she’s on your list. Archuleta’s most recently released album BEGIN (the one that only sold 14,000 US) was an inspirational pop covers album David managed to record in the last 3-4 weeks before his 2-yr church mission (85% of the young men of his religion serve mission and David did not play the star card). David really wanted to leave as much music as he could for his fans and he chose songs that expressed his reasons for serving a church mission. Thanks for the honorable mention. I think he deserves more.
GG says:
Mar 15, 2013
Kimberly Caldwell is on the list because she’s a big-time host in Hollywood and she’s constantly working.
Thanks for the feedback. He may deserve more. I think part of it is that a large part of his career now is outside of the US which makes it hard to follow him unless you’re a diehard fan. I’d love to see him make a pop comeback in the US!
Violet says:
Mar 15, 2013
This is just for GG since you probably won’t post a link – David’s cover of Beautiful by Christine Aguilera from his BEGIN album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sff1v9URlu8
GG says:
Mar 15, 2013
I like it!
Violet says:
Mar 15, 2013
Glad you like it. I also love that he sang the leads on BEGIN straight through, not that cookie cutter jigsaw puzzle stuff so many pop producers do. David wasn’t around to hear the final product – he only had time to record each song through a few times with a simple accompaniment. He finished the night before his mission started. I look forward to his return and his future music.
Jana says:
Mar 16, 2013
Time will tell, my money is on the same person it has been on since 2008. The vision is still there..and the talent. I dont see Jhud anywhere either.. very interesting list.
Jana says:
Mar 16, 2013
GG, are you the same GG that used to comment on FOD? 🙂 If so hello there from Oregon!!! If not..hello anyway:)
Heidijoy says:
Mar 16, 2013
I agree with Violet!! David Archuleta definitely should be in the Top 20. Do the research and look at the evidence. 6 Albums, book, Featured singer with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir,Charities too numerous to mention, International Star etc etc
Gwen says:
Mar 16, 2013
I think you have said it all and very well, Violet. David Archuleta not only has an amzaing voice but he has the heart of an angel. He will NOT compromise his values as so many other pop singers do. I am so anxious to hear his new CD NO MATTER HOW FAR due out on March 26th. I too think he deserves to be in the top 10. A few of those on that list I can’t even remember. Oh well he is alway #1 on his fan’s list of the best. Give his new CD a listen, I think you will be mesmerized as we all are.
nl says:
Mar 16, 2013
Wow – wondering why @davidarchie is not on this list? He is one of the few people that I have seen in concert who has 100% control of the crowd from the minute he walks on stage. (And how interesting is it that even though he is gone until early next year, his twitter followers keep growing and growing – up to 1,265,000 or so now. This is how I think of him – at the piano singing one of my favorite songs in concert (Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy”)as an encore after singing 18-20 songs already http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZCpmvMHa_g The tone of his voice is outstanding and when he powers up the last third of the song slides up to those high notes at the very end…voice, musicality, charisma
Jana says:
Mar 16, 2013
I am a little surprised by a few on this list who have not achieved at all what David Archuleta has, and he is just 22, 5 years later.. He has a huge international following, invited to national charity events, SU2C, Hurricane relief, Invisible Children, CMN, MDA, and this is just a few. The reason he is invited to these is because of his broad appeal and ability to raise the $. He had a book on the NY times Best Selling list. He has released several albums, w/more to come. His live performances are EPIC. I respect your opinion, but this list may need a “rethink”.
Katie says:
Mar 16, 2013
I too am dismayed as to why David Archuleta is not on this list. He has accomplished so much at such a young age. I am also saddened by what constitutes your meaning of “popularity”, because if is mostly based on record sales in the US…what a shame! I believe there are some really awful ‘current’ singers out there today that are very popular by your standards. Many of them sell millions of albums and when it comes to singing live, they can’t cut it! David Archuleta on the other hand sounds great live, and often he is even better in concert. He has fan sites all over the world and is very popular in many places, not just the Phillipines. He has millions of followers on Twitter as well as sites on Facebook. But,I guess that’s not the point here. The point here seems to be that you really don’t have to be talented, charitable, full of strong values and live as a good role model to make this list. You just need to have strong record sales and be popular in the US market. Crazy the way it works. Just glad I can hear and know the difference between ‘popular’ and talented. If this list had been based mostly on talent, I am sure David Archuleta would have been included then!
germanyLCT says:
Mar 16, 2013
I do have to agree with many of the comments on Archuleta. Living in Europe – I too have seen what amazing things he’s done. He’s what you call an overachiever and has an outstanding work ethic. Youngest to guest for the MOTAB choir, a TV mini series, on Forbes top ten money makers (everyyear), best seller author, clothing sponsorship, 6 albums, double platinum single… Needless to say I would put him at #10.
GG says:
Mar 16, 2013
@Jana – This is just 20-11. You can click to see the top 10 at the bottom of the post. And no, what’s FOD? I think I’ll give the list a re-think in a couple years. Archie has two years to prove himself to me.
@HEIDIJOY – Did tons of research for this. He just misses the cut in my book.
@Gwen – If this was a list of American Idol morals, Archie’s number one. Scott Savol is last.
@Katie – He probably makes a list of most talented and also most handsome. And also according to @GERMANYLCT, most overachieving.
Thanks for all your comments! Archie for prez!
DorkAngel says:
Mar 16, 2013
I think it’s great that David Archuleta is on of the very few past AIers (25 out of hundreds) that was mentioned in this article. And he was first honorable mention at that! Hopefully when he returns from his mission he will continue his awesome success in the Philippines/Asia AND make a comeback here in the US. CONGRATZ to all the others who made your list/mentions. THANKS 🙂
Cathy says:
Mar 16, 2013
David Arcchuleta also did a clothing endorsement for Bench Clothing in the Philippines & was in a tv miniseries over there in early 2012 before he went on his mission. He is still very popular even though he has been gone a year & still has another year to go.
GG, LOL on your comment “Archie for prez!” I would vote for him!!
djafan says:
Mar 16, 2013
GG, As you can see us David Archuleta fans are devoted 🙂
I keep up not only with David Archuleta’s achievements but of other AI alumni for comparison via AI blogs, Google, Next Big Sound and all the social media available and many on your top 20 don’t compare to David Archuleta in album sales, model, acting, author, singer, songwriter, concert attendance, tours, appearances, charity to name a few.
Having never been a fan or followed any celebrity before I’ve been fascinated with fans of celebrities in general and haven’t found this type of devotion. As a matter of fact next month there is fanvention fundraiser in David’s name while he is in Chile serving a mission to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and ChildFund, his last partner during his last very successful tour in December 2012 before he left. Fans are flying in from all over to attend an honor.
David usually makes top lists by bloggers like you. I see you say you did tons of research for this, what was he lacking in your opinion to make the cut?
GG says:
Mar 16, 2013
@DORKANGEL – I think he would’ve been 21 if we ranked the honorable mention.
@CATHY – Thanks for reading comments too!
@DJAFAN – I think you’re overestimating his US sales in albums. In fact, that’s kind of the key here. Most of you are overstating his celebrity in the US, which is more important than international celebrity.
He’s not really lacking anything. He just hasn’t made an impact on pop culture in the United States like the others have. Plus, no matter how much research I did, it’s still all just opinion. Like I said in the intro, there was no special algorithm. Thanks for reading.
Violet says:
Mar 16, 2013
“He just hasn’t made an impact on pop culture in the United States like the others have.” <- It's an uphill battle. He's a square guy – honest, chaste, doesn't curse, fight, smoke, drink alcohol – i.e. not a newsmaker. He dresses modestly, keeps his clothes on, and will never get his ears pierced or get a tattoo. He never insults anyone or even says anything competitive – I have seen him promote the artists competing with him for chart position while not promoting himself. He's a square guy with clean music, avoiding suggestive and dual-meaning lyrics. His short stature and cute looks keep people thinking of him as a teen although he's 22 now. He would tell you himself that he is not cool. He's too square for many US pop fans yet considered too mainstream (especially w/ American Idol tag) for those who like Indie music. He also doesn't get Christian airplay because he's Mormon. I am hoping he heads towards more acoustic pop-rock like the artists he admires (Mraz, Mayer, Bareilles and others) and shows his soulful side too. I adore his voice (a truly amazing voice since one of his vocal cords is undersized and partially paralyzed – the other grew over to meet it). He gives us a wonderful range of musical genres to enjoy. I'll leave you with one of them – 2009 David singing Contigo en la Distancia at the ALMA awards, to an audience of the Hispanic stars of stage, screen, music and sports. You can see Rita Moreno clapping at the end. He also won their Rising Star award. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZN7hBq7bBo
GG says:
Mar 16, 2013
Like I said, if this was a All-Good-Guy list, he’d be one of the top guys. All of those things that he’s not yet good at, or he chooses not to do, will hold him back.
DorkAngel says:
Mar 17, 2013
“@DORKANGEL – I think he would’ve been 21 if we ranked the honorable mention.”
Yeah, he recently ranked #21 with “Crush” on the Billboard’s Top 100 ‘American Idol’ Hits of All Time. Again, I think that’s great considering how many placed lower. You know, the glass is half full thing. I hope his new album “No Matter How Far” does better than his last one– “Begin.” Crush, by the way, have sold more than 2 million copies. Too bad it was never certified. Not sure if it really matters. Thanks for the reply. 🙂
http://edit.billboard.com/articles/list/1550614/top-100-american-idol-hits-of-all-time
GG says:
Mar 17, 2013
I would love to see him kill it in the US. I want to see anyone from that show do well.
germanyLCT says:
Mar 17, 2013
GG, love the fact that you reply to our comments – thanks for that! David dares to be different and is so comfortable being himself which goes to show you how confident he is. America is not ready for David. Which is a real shame because he is so great live! Yes, I have traveled to the states just to see him! Traveled to places like Arizona, San Antonio, Houston and I got to meet and talk with him when he toured in the UK (London). Love his singing in different languages, too! Check him out singing No Me Queda Mas (Spanish) Nandito Ako (tagalog)Ave Maria (latin)
GG says:
Mar 17, 2013
@germanyLCT – I appreciate the comments!
He obviously gets my respect for what he does. Wow! You traveled all over to see him. That’s a fan right there.
Jana says:
Mar 18, 2013
GG..Well he didn’t have to prove himself to this guy..
http://thevoicemyblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/102.png
He has proven himself.
GG says:
Mar 18, 2013
He might be number one on the president’s list of Idol favs.
TVProducerLady says:
Mar 18, 2013
Archie is cool, but if there’s anyone I should’ve fought harder for it would’ve been Kevin Covais or Vonzell.
GG says:
Mar 18, 2013
Baby V!
John says:
Mar 18, 2013
I can’t believe I’m just getting around to this, but I’ve got issues. It seems like some of those season winners were just afterthoughts at the end of the list, but putting a Constantine or Diana above David Cook just seems wrong in a lot of ways. But the biggest issue is with Kimberly Caldwell. I mean good on her for the gigs, but Idol is a singing competition, not a hosting competition. If that’s a criteria, then Matt Rogers is probably up in the top 10!
I need a hobby, apparently.
GG says:
Mar 18, 2013
Hey John,
I can see what you’re saying, but that wasn’t the goal. Just adding up album sales and spitting out a list would’ve been fun, but I’m not sure it would’ve described success for each.
Here’s what I wrote in the intro: “We looked at how well they did in their season and also, what kind of impact they’ve made after Idol. And it doesn’t only have to be in music. Jennifer Hudson says hello.”
If we only added music, Jennifer Hudson might not even make the top 10. But to say that she’s not one of the top 3 or 4 Idol contestants ever would be incorrect. In a few years, she may be number one. Diana and Constantine are constantly working, probably more successful in their field than David Cook is at making albums. Again, it’s not so much as a subjective list of taste. It’s who has had impact since their time on Idol.
In her area of hosting, Kim Caldwell is tremendously successful. How do I know? My partner in crime is a producer in reality television and knows that industry better than most. She says Kim is a killer. So it’s not like we just threw stuff on the wall.
But thanks for reading! I was waiting for your feedback. HA!
John says:
Mar 18, 2013
I get where you’re coming from, and I recognize that sales don’t make a career (how many copies did Bo Bice’s single sell? A lot). I guess the title threw me off more than anything else…if we’re talking Top 20 Lives after Idol, then I get it, but from a contestant standpoint, I thought the list would be based off of everyone based on the show. Still, a list like this does remind folks how much talent, whether recognized by the mainstream or not, has come out of Idol.
GG says:
Mar 18, 2013
And I think that’s what we were trying to do. The show isn’t called “America’s best amateur singer”. I think what Simon Fuller/Cowell/Nigel were creating was an avenue for people in the entertainment industry to be discovered, not just singers. That’s what we tried to rank.
Lily Ti says:
Mar 18, 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTH05RpRXGc
Davis sings in French, Spanish, English Latin and the language of the Philippines. He has made Forbes list a couple times, and engenders fan appreciation across generations and borders. I am very confused about this list. Who gathered the facts? His Imagine is unanimously acknowledged as one of the best performances ever on AI. I don’t get it.