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Monday 16 January 2012

Non-Winner 'Idol' Successes

Non-Winner 'Idol' Successes - American Idol - You really don't have to take the top "American Idol" spot to be successful. Need proof? Here are 31 non-winners who demonstrate that losing isn't that bad after all ...

Casey Abrams
Hoping to be the first bass playing "American Idol" winner, Abrams' sixth-place finish on Season 10 has not discouraged this multi-talented musician. casey abrams american idol + bass, double bass, guitar, piano, clarinet, casey abrams american idol, age 20,

Lauren Alaina
The Season 10 runner-up to winner Scotty McCreery has left behind her cheerleading days in Rossville, Ga., to open for Jason Aldean's upcoming My Kinda Party Tour. lauren alaina cheer, Jason Aldean My Kinda Party Tour, lauren alaina scotty mccreery,

James Durbin
The Santa Cruz, Calif., native was the only rocker finalist on the last season of "American Idol." His recently released debut album, "Memories of A Beautiful Disaster," was No. 36 on the Billboard 200 in its first week. james durbin + heidi lowe, james durbin, years 23, january 6, 1989,

Pia Toscano
Still upset over Pia Toscano's all-too-early exit from "American Idol"?  Don't worry. She'll be fine. In fact, she may already have gotten a record deal. pia toscano + 23, dancing with the stars, pia toscano back with carl nunez, karen Rodriguez idol,

Crystal Bowersox
Season 9 runner-up Crystal Bowersox's debut album, "Farmer's Daughter," has sold more than that season's winner Lee DeWyze's. Plus, she got to film a OneTouch commercial with her own idol, BB King. She traded in her trademark gap-toothed grin for some new teeth. BB King, Crystal Bowersox, age 26, crystal bowersox teeth fixed, Crystal Bowersox and Brian Walker ,

Allison Iraheta
After coming in fourth on the eighth season, Allison Iraheta went on to work with superstar producer Max Martin on her first singled "Friday I'll Be Over You" and most recently opened for Adam Lambert on his Glam Nation tour. Allison Iraheta, age 19 , Quinceañera: Mama Quiero Ser Artista, allison iraheta record deal,

Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert is proof you don't have to actually win "Idol" to be a winner. Although he came in second in Season 8, "Glambert" has gone on to sell some three times as many records as that season's winner, Kris Allen. Adam Lambert AMA kiss, adam lambert age 29 january 29, 1982, Adam Lambert + Super Bowl, Adam Lambert + Trespassing album, sauli koskinen adam lambert,

David Archuleta
Although he was dropped by his record label due to disappointing sales of his third album, Archuleta had lots of success with his debut. The Season 7 runner-up's first single, "Crush," soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the self-titled debut album has since been certified gold. David Archuleta dropped, the other side of down, david archuleta 20 years old, david archuleta over 97 million votes,

Jason Castro
Season 7's Jason Castro delivered such a moving performance of "Hallelujah" on "Idol" that the Jeff Buckley cover of the Leonard Cohen song surged to the top spot on the iTunes single chart that same week. Castro's "Over the Rainbow" also bumped Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of the song into the iTunes top 10. And that all happened before he was voted off in fourth place. jason castro age 24 march 25, 1987, jason castro bachelor wedding,

Blake Lewis
Season 6's resident beatboxer -- and runner-up -- went top 10 with his debut album "A.D.D. " And although his follow up, "Heartbreak on Vinyl," didn't chart as high, the first single, "Sad Song," hit No. 11 on the Hot Dance Club chart. blale lewis Audio Day Dream, +blake lewis Heartbreak on Vinyl, +blake lewis Sad Song, don't forget the lyrics,

Sanjaya Malakar
Sure, Sanjaya was a joke to many during Season 6, but he's definitely having the last laugh. Not only did he reportedly receive a $100,000 advance for his autobiography, but he's also starred in a commercial for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Dancing to the Music in My Head: Memoirs of the People's Idol , sanjaya malakar years 22, i'm a celebrity get me out of here, sanjaya malakar arrested,

Bucky Covington
So maybe Bucky Covington only made it to eighth place on Season 5 of "Idol." That didn't stop his self-titled debut album from coming in at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums, now did it? Billboard Top Country Albums, bucky covington date of birth, bucky covington arrested,

Chris Daughtry
In terms of sales, Chris Daughtry is the third most successful "Idol" contestant of all time, only behind Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. Six million albums sold? Not bad for someone who came in fourth place on Season 5. chris daughtry age 32 dec 26, 1979, +chris daughtry has four children, Stone Temple Pilots,

Mandisa
Mandisa Lynn Hundley's gospel-style singing may have only gotten her to the ninth place on Season 5, but her soulful sound was a hit on the Top Christian Albums chart, where her debut album "True Beauty" skyrocketed to No. 1. mandisa lost 120 pounds,

Katharine McPhee
Season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee also had a hit single that went higher up the charts than Taylor Hicks'. She also branched out into acting, with a supporting role in "The House Bunny" and an upcoming lead role in "You May Not Kiss the Bride." You May Not Kiss the Bride, katharine mcphee age 27 March 25, 1984, nick cokas age 42, smash tv show,

Kellie Pickler
Season 5 contestant Kellie Pickler's catchy first single, "Red High Heels," was the first of five songs that went top 20 on the Hot Country Songs chart. OK, so maybe those aren't Carrie Underwood numbers, but she did beat out Underwood to be named the Most Beautiful Woman in Country in a Country Weekly poll two years in a row. "Most Beautiful Woman in Country " Kellie pickler, kellie pickler age, born 25 june 28, 1986, kellie pickler cooking, kellie pickler breast implants,

Elliott Yamin
Season 5's Elliott Yamin hit it big with his first post-"Idol" single "Wait for You". Not only did it debut higher than Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks' first single, but it has also gone on to sell over 1 million copies. elliott yamin age 32 July 20, 1978, elliott yamin dropped out of high school sophomore year, elliott yamin diabetes,

Bo Bice
Bo Bice may have lost to Carrie Underwood -- the most successful "Idol" winner ever -- but that doesn't mean he hasn't had a little success on his own. First week sales of his debut album, "The Real Thing," are the seventh highest ever for an "Idol" opening debut. Bo Bice The Real Thing, bo bice age 36 nov 1, 1975, bo bice cocaine, +bo bice three sons,

Constantine Maroulis
We're sure Constantine Maroulis was bummed when he got voted of Season 4, coming in sixth place. But we're sure he was more than happy when he later snagged a 2009 Tony nomination for his lead role in "Rock of Ages." angel reed broadway, constantine maroulis malena james, constantine maroulis age 36 september 17, 1975,

Diana DeGarmo
Season 3 runner-up Diana DeGarmo, who was only 16 when she competed on "Idol", has had quite a streak on Broadway, appearing in "Hairspray" and "Hair," as well as touring nationally in "9 to 5: The Musical." diana deGarmo wyatt earp, diana deGarmo age 24 june 19, 1987, diana degarmo 9 to 5,

Jennifer Hudson
From "Idol" cast off to Oscar and Grammy winner, Season 3 contestant Jennifer Hudson is probably the most well-known "loser" from the whole series. Not only has she gone on to sell well over a million records, but she's now the spokesperson for Weight Watchers. Not bad for coming in seventh place, huh? jennifer hudson oscar dreamgirl, jennifer hudson grammy awards, jennifer hudson 30 September 12, 1981, jennifer Hudson 80 pounds, Jennifer Hudson + memoir + I got This,

William Hung
William Hung didn't even make it to the semi-finals on the third season, but that didn't stop his hilariously off-key voice from selling more albums than Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze. university of california berkeley, william hung 25,000 advance ,

Clay Aiken
Like Lambert, Clay Aiken is also a second-place finisher who ended up outperforming that season's winner (Ruben Studdard). All five of Aiken's studio albums have cracked the top 10, totaling almost 5 million records sold. clay aiken bring back my love, clay aiken celebrity apprentice, clay aiken age 32 november 30, 1978,

Kimberly Caldwell
Kimberly Caldwell's long delayed debut album was finally released last April. And that's a long time to wait since she was a contestant on Season 2 back in 2003. In between, you may have seen the Caldwell in the upper half of your TV screen as a host for various shows on the TV Guide Network. kimberly caldwell age 29 February 25, 1982, Kimberly Caldwell David Cook, Wrong Turn 2: Dead End,

Frenchie DavisAlthough disqualified from Season 2 after topless photos of her leaked, Frenchie Davis went on to be more than qualified for musical theater. Davis has appeared in "Rent," "Dreamgirls" and "Ain't Misbehavin,'" which also starred Ruben Studdard. Frenchie Davis 31,

Josh GracinAlthough he was the fourth-place finalist on Season 2, Josh Gracin had a number one hit on the Hot Country Songs chart with "Nothin' to Lose." And in between "Idol" and burning up the charts, Gracin even found time to complete his service in the Marine Corps. Josh Gracin Nothin’ to Lose, marine corps josh gracin, josh gracin age 31 October 18, 1980,

Kimberely LockeSeason 2's Kimberely Locke has had several hit Christmas singles, with her versions of "Up on the House Top" and "Jingle Bells" both hitting No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In 2006, she put her personal struggles with weight on display by taking part in the Season 5 of "Celebrity Fit Club." kimberley locke up on the house top, kimberley locke 34, kimberley locke lost 40 pounds, kimberley locke jenny craig, Randy Jackson Dream Merchant 21,

Tamyra GrayEven though she finished in fourth place on Season 1, Gray's debut album "The Dreamer" sold about as many as Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze's. Plus, she's nabbed acting roles in "Boston Public" and the Oscar-nominated film "Rachel Getting Married." tamyra gray age 32 july 26, 1979,

Justin GuariniJustin Guarini may be the punchline of a lot of jokes, but the Season 1 runner-up has had plenty of accomplishments. Aside from having his post-"Idol" album go top 20 (buy it), he also recently nabbed a role in the hit Broadway show "American Idiot." broadway show american idiot, Idol Wrap co host justin guarini, justin guarini stars in rent,

Ryan StarrSeason 1 contestant Ryan Starr, whose real name is Tiffany Ryan Montgomery, had such a successful post-"Idol" single with "My Religion" that it even went into the 2005 Guinness Book of World Records for having sold the most downloads of an exclusive iTunes song. 2005 Guinness Book of World Records, ryan starr age 29 nov 21, 1982, csi crime scene investigation, the surreal life,

Paul McDonald Though he placed eighth on Season 10 of "Idol," this Nashville singer is still the popular front man for his renamed band, the Grand Magnolias.paul mcdonald the grand magnolias, paul mcdonald, american idol, age 27, august 29, 1984,