Former 'Idols' are finding success

When thinking of past "American Idol" competitors, it's often confusing trying to remember which ones actually won the televised singing competition and which have found their own fame merely by being on the show.

Here's a list. Some seasons were better than others. The breakdown:

Season 1, Kelly Clarkson: After winning, Clarkson signed with RCA Records, the label in partnership with "American Idol's" 19 Management. Clarkson's first single, "A Moment Like This," debuted at No. 52 but marked the biggest jump in Billboard Hot 100 History when it shot to No. 1 — breaking a record set by the Beatles. She has won two Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards and 12 Billboard music awards; one of only two "American Idols" to win the big three music awards.

Runner-up Justin Guarini, who is spotted in the audience from time to time, continues to act in independent films and works on jazz CDs. But third runner-up Tamyra Gray has been on Broadway — appearing in "Bombay Dreams" and "RENT."

Season 2, Ruben Studdard: Released three albums after his win, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard lists and garnering the "velvet teddy bear" nominations for Grammys, American Music Awards, BET awards, Soul Train awards and winning an Image Award in 2004. Studdard will be in Salt Lake City with the upcoming tour of "Ain't Misbehavin'."

But there was some controversy over the voting, which would later see the voting procedures changed, Studdard went up against the super-popular Clay Aiken. Aiken, surpassed in sales by only Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, has become the most successful male and most successful runner-up in "Idol" history, and he made his Broadway debut this year in "Spamalot."

Also from Season 2: Josh Gracin when on to record a country album and had three singles appear on the charts. Kimberly Locke has released two albums.

Season 3, Fantasia Barrino: Fantasia dropped her last name and went on to release an album in 2004 becoming the top-selling single that year and received four Grammy nominations for her double platinum debut album. Fantasia joined the Broadway cast of "The Color Purple" to critical acclaim and is signed on to star in the movie musical version.

More notably, Golden Globe and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson was discovered this season. Hudson came in seventh place during the competition and is the only "Idol" to win an Oscar.

Does the name William Hung ring a bell? Yes, even people who can't sing at all can still find a few minutes of fame under the neon sign of "American Idol." His version of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" got him a record deal and made him more than $500,000 in record sales — he also starred in a Cingular Wireless commercial with host Ryan Seacrest.

Recent comments

• Story photos

• Most Popular
• Most Commented

1. BYU football: Fowler calling plays for defense
2. BYU football: Team lands a top California receiver
3. LDS see jump in aid needs
4. BYU students temporarily 'on street'
5. Olympics badly need big change
6. High school football: Top 25
7. BYU football: Afutiti ends juco red tape
8. Jazz Olympians shouldn't have any lingering fatigue
9. Foster care for Jeffs' apparent child bride
10. Redeem team wary of medal-round slip-up

1. Global warming is a hoax 125
2. Utah's birthrate highest in U.S. 108
3. BYU ranked No. 16 in AP preseason poll 107
4. College in Salt Lake City joins initiative on alcohol 103
5. Utah case raises the question: vigilantism or protecting kids? 95
6. Olympics badly need big change 90
7. BYU football: Collie frustrated at inability to compete 89
8. MormonTimes.com: Mormons on N.Z. team face Sunday-play quandary 86
9. Utah Jazz: Accept it! The Bulls deserved the series 83
10. Obama hype is not hope 64
11. (Stories published in the last five days with the most comments)

• Utah
• Sports
• Business