American Idol first hit the airwaves in 2002 and subsequently has seen numerous music stars and entertainers break into the mainstream. Regardless of if it was the original series that was on Fox or the 2018 version that aired on ABC, American Idol has given us not only Grammy winners but also chart-topping artists, Broadway performers, and many other names that are even known to the ones who did not win.
Following is a list of American Idol stars (alumni) who are the most successful ones due to their net worth, musical achievements, awards and acting careers, and their influence on the culture.
From Season 4 (2005) Carrie Underwood, the champion, was a country music sensation who didn’t take long to reach the peak, having sold more than 70 million albums globally. Underwood confirms her talent with an additional 8 Grammy Awards and is declared by RIAA as the most certified female artist in country music. The numbers for her singles such as “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel” suggest her crossover in the genre of country-pop.
In addition to being a country music star Carrie is a best-selling author with her book Find Your Path, she owns her own activewear company CALIA that she created, she has headlined music festivals and much more! In 2024, Carrie will be a judge on American Idol, creating opportunities for her legacy to continue in the American Idol brand.
Since winning the first American Idol in 2002, Kelly Clarkson has gone from being a waitress to an international pop superstar with songs such as “Since U Been Gone” and “Stronger.” Kelly has three Grammy Awards and has sold over 25 million albums. But none of that compares to what actually shaped the sound of pop music in the 2000s, and that is Kelly’s voice.
With The Kelly Clarkson Show, Kelly reinvented herself as a talk show host and has collected multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for her talk show. Kelly has also been a coach on The Voice, written children’s books, and continues to release music in addition to her talk show. The well-roundedness, phenomenal execution and sincerity in Kelly’s approach and language make it all the more remarkable in her media career.
Although Adam Lambert came in second place on American Idol in 2009, he has continued to have an amazing and exciting music career. Adam was known for his outlandish fashion, powerful singing ability and vocal range. Adam has had very successful commercial success as a solo artist. Adam had hits as a solo artist and a large catalog of music with many successful albums exploring genres such as Velvet and High Drama, showcasing glam-rock, pop, and electronica, and of course his popular song “Whataya Want from Me”.
Despite this great career, ultimately Adam is most known as the lead singer for Queen, as he has toured with them around the world since 2011, as Queen + Adam Lambert, and has entertained millions. Adam is also a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and even started his own charitable group in 2020 called the Feel Something Foundation. To top it all off in 2024, Adam made his debut theater performance in Cabaret on Broadway.
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Jennifer Hudson has shown that you do not need to win American Idol to be a part of history. During Season Three (2004), Hudson did not win, finishing in seventh. However, she became a superstar and one of the only artists to achieve EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony).
Hudson became a household name in Dreamgirls (2006) where she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her first album, an R&B album, won a Grammy Award. She had mega hits such as “Spotlight” and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”
Hudson has also won a Tony Award as producer of Broadway’s A Strange Loop in 2022, which made her the youngest woman to achieve EGOT status. Hudson has also started as a daytime TV personality, hosting The Jennifer Hudson Show in 2022. Hudson’s role as Aretha Franklin in Respect (2021) set Hudson up to further be remembered as an actress and vocalist.
Katharine McPhee was the runner-up on American Idol Season 5 (2006) and has since created a multifaceted career in music, television, and Broadway. Her debut album, Katharine McPhee, contains the song “Over It” which was very successful; following that she has put out five total albums, including a holiday album.
McPhee became well-known for playing Karen on the NBC series Smash (2012) and starred in the CBS series Scorpion (2014–2018). She has also been in movies such as The House Bunny (2008) and starred in the Netflix series Country Comfort.
In 2018, she made her Broadway debut in the musical Waitress as Jenna, and later returned to the role to London’s West End. Off-stage, she is co-owner of a jewelry line and is married to Grammy-winning producer David Foster, successfully juggling her personal and professional lives with grace.
At the impressively young age of 17, Sparks quickly claimed the American Idol spot and became the youngest winner in 2007—once again proving her star power. Her self-titled debut album went platinum, getting hits such as “Tattoo,” and “No Air,” a duet with Chris Brown, with “No Air” eventually getting her a Grammy nomination and selling over 4 million copies.
Sparks has toured around the world with big acts, such as Alicia Keys, released four studio albums before her mid-20s, and sold over 10 million singles in the U.S. Even though her later work did not come close to her prior commercial level, Jordin has remained a fan favorite—even winning The Masked Dancer in 2021.
Sparks also transitioned to acting, taking a role in Sparkle (2012) against Whitney Houston, and taking her act to broadway in Waitress (2019). She continues to work in music, television and stage while raising her family and sticking to her pop-R&B roots.
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Chris Daughtry turned his 2006 fourth-place finish at American Idol into an incredibly successful rock career, blending his own cultural perspectives with the aging rock genre, while becoming one of the show’s best-selling alumni, without even making it to the final! Daughtry, who is from North Carolina, had Daughtry, and the group released their self-titled debut in 2006, and it was a smash hit.
It debuted at No. 1 in the Billboard 200 album chart, and went on to be certified 6× Platinum status; it had the record at that time for the fastest-selling rock debut in SoundScan history! With chart-topping songs like “It’s Not Over,” and “Home,” the first of songs, and both made for commercial radio, not for art, Daughtry was boom time.
Over the last fifteen years or so, Daughtry has released a total of six studio albums, had four songs in the TOP 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, and over 9 million of album sales in the U.S. Chris has been active in the business of music, as evidenced by returning to his roots of rock for the album Dearly Beloved in 2021. Known for his raspy voice, Chris has also worked with musical legends like Slash, Carlos Santana, and even country giant Vince Gill.
Fans also saw a different side of Chris when he appeared as a contestant on the television show The Masked Singer in 2019 as the “Rottweiler” and finished in second place. He is less of a diva than some of his American Idol competition, but has made guest appearances on show such as CSI: NY and The Passion which was a live musical concert. Daughtry’s constant relevance and ability to adapt has helped him become one of American Idol’s most prominent rock stars.
In 2011, Scotty McCreery won over audiences at 17 years of age with a surprisingly mature country voice and took home the crown as the winner of American Idol Season 10. The North Carolina native wasted no time; his debut album Clear as Day opened at No. 1 and went Platinum with the single “I Love You This Big” leading the way. Historically, most male American Idol winners have struggled after their success/fame came, but Scotty matured slowly into a solid country music career.
Since winning American Idol, he has entered 5 more albums and has generated 10 Gold or Platinum singles and several Billboard Country No. 1 hits. Songs such as “Five More Minutes” (2018) and “Damn Strait” (2022) – along with the No. 1 single “You Time” (2021) on the Country Airplay chart – show that McCreery is here to stay.
With a warm baritone voice, engaging lyrics, and heartfelt delivery, Scotty developed a strong following throughout his time on American Idol. He won an ACM Award, multiple American Country Awards, has received several major nominations and in 2024, he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry which is a huge deal in country music.
Now over a decade into his career, McCreery has been a regular presence in the music industry, has sold out tours and maintains respect in Nashville and beyond. He was even inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
As the first American Idol runner-up, Clay Aiken made history, and coming off the tail of “Claymania” after the Season 2 airing in 2003, is an ultimate example of post-show mainstream success. Aiken’s first album – Measure of a Man (2003) – opened at No. 1 and quickly went multi-Platinum, producing some of his best music besides – “Invisible,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
By the mid-2000s, Clay was the fourth best-selling American Idol alum in the United States at the time; trailing only Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry. Clay Aiken has released six studio albums covering various genres (pop, holiday music, standards), and has maintained a loyal following of fans, with his Christmas tours being a fan favorite. In the meantime, he also became a New York Times best-selling author with his 2004 memoir Learning to Sing.
In addition to music, Aiken also made guest appearances on stages from Broadway to television, including Monty Python’s Spamalot (2008) on Broadway, Scrubs, and The Office. Aiken carved a new path as a public figure, becoming an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+, education, and ran for Congress twice (2014, 2022) in North Carolina. He did not win, but received commendations on his campaign’s substance and his own authenticity.
Newly in 2023, Aiken returned to his origins and joined together in an anniversary tour with Ruben Studdard, cementing his unique appeal as a performing artist and public figure.
Gabby Barrett was one of the biggest breakout stars of the ABC version of American Idol and has become a new staple in country music. Barrett finished third in 2018 (American Idol Season 16) and has been flying high to the top since her American Idol placement.
Her breakout single “I Hope” (2019), which crossed over to pop radio, peaked at No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it became a monster on the Hot Country Songs chart, spending an incredible 25 weeks at number 1. It received a remix featuring Charlie Puth, which helped the single as well. The single was recently certified 7× Platinum.
Her debut album Goldmine (2020) became the female country artist record for first week streams, with almost 16 million streams total. Goldmine also had further hits, including “The Good Ones” that delivered her consecutive Country Airplay No.1s.
Because of Barrett’s similar Idol-to-country trajectory, she is often compared to Carrie Underwood. While Barrett has a long way to go be compared to Underwood, Barrett has some accomplishments of significance – including four 2021 CMA nominations and ACM Award for New Female Artist of the Year. Barrett has toured with giants like Thomas Rhett and the Zac Brown Band, proving that she belongs on massive stages.
Barrett is just 23 years-old and has a family-life background, and is married to former Idol contestant Cade Foehner (only since 2019 – young in terms of the life of a marriage). With her current success on the charts, it declares once again, that Idol can champion worthy, real music careers – and Gabby Barrett may be the next long-term country star to look out for.
American Idol has been more than just a show – it is a launching pad for many very good people, including those who lost. Chris Daughtry has a rock legacy, Scotty McCreery has hit country starhood, Clay Aiken transitioned into a multi-dimensional career, and Gabby Barrett, with modern-day chart hits, show possible avenues to assorted successes for Idol contestants.
All of these artists have achieved long-term careers, in what we all know, can be a buoyant and ruthless industry and each have left undeniable cultural marks. From Grammy nominations, political action, acting on Broadway or crossover pop hits, each have endured reinvention, and through their entire journeys, they have been true to the music. No doubt, as the music industry continues to undergo tremendous alchemical-and-chemical changes, the five Idolists demonstrate that you might enjoy success because of the show, not despite it.
No, Chris Daughtry was 4th place in Season 5 (2006), but he’s one of the most recognizable and successful rock artists from the show.
His band’s name is Daughtry. The debut album is one of the best-selling rock debut records of all-time.
Scotty has released six studio albums including the hit songs Clear as Day, and Same Truck.
Scotty is a country artist and his style consists of his powerhouse vocals, while country emphasizes storytelling.
Yes, he has received a number of American Country Awards as well as induction into the Grand Ole Opry in 2024.
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Disclaimer: The net worth, assets, and other information shared here are based on reports from News websites. Sometimes, celebrities or their teams also provide their input, which we include when available. We aim to provide accurate information, but unless stated otherwise, these numbers are approximate. We welcome feedback at info@eblogtalk.com.
This post was last modified on May 6, 2025
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