Most Successful American Idolist?

• SnotBubbles

  

  I think there are only 3 real nominees here. Who would you say?
• gorocks99

  

  William Hung
• Laley23

  

  Hate her music, but I would say Kelly Clarkson by a decent amount over Carrie Underwood.
• THE4RINGZ

  

  Carrie Underwood.
• queencitybuckeye

  I would think Jennifer Hudson would be a valid nominee.
• Little Danny

  

  The key word in the original question is "the most successful". Hasn't Underwood led the pack in record sales and awards?
  
  Hudson is right there with her as well with not only her music , but her successes in theatre and the movies.
• vball10set

  
• Thinthickbigred

  Syesha Mercado
• queencitybuckeye

  Little Danny;1093824 wrote:The key word in the original question is "the most successful". Hasn't Underwood led the pack in record sales and awards?
  
  Hudson is right there with her as well with not only her music , but her successes in theatre and the movies.

  Exactly. Another would be the brunette whose name is escaping me on the show "Smash".
• vball10set

  http://tv.yahoo.com/news/10-highest-paid-american-idol-contestants-191100616.html
  
  

  "American Idol" has been known to churn out pop stars who have taken over the global market. Singing talent, along with good looks and an outgoing personality, is what determines the success of "American Idol" winners and, if they're lucky, some of the contestants.
  Recently, Forbes magazine reported on the top 10 highest paid "Idol" contestants.
  Carrie Underwood - $20 Million
  Carrie Underwood is the highest paid "Idol" this year and it's no surprise. She is the first country "Idol" to top the country and pop charts, and to take home multiple Billboard and CMT Music Awards. Then there are the lucrative endorsements she has with Hersey's and Vitamin Water.
  Chris Daughtry - $6 Million
  He was eliminated in the top four on "American Idol," but it was probably the best thing that happened to him as he embarked on a successful recording career. He is the front man of Daughtry; their hit single "It's Not Over" stayed in the top 10 for a few months.
  Adam Lambert - $6 Million
  Coming in second place was a total shock for "American Idol" viewers, but that didn't stop him from performing on the American Music Awards and topping the charts with his hit single "Whataya Want from Me."
  Fantasia Barrino - $4 Million
  The Season 3 "Idol" winner has had a stint on Broadway and her very own VH1 reality show, "Fantasia For Real." Fantasia Barrino's 2010 album "Back to Me" earned her a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
  Jordin Sparks - $3 Million
  Jordin Sparks is one of the youngest "Idol" winners, topping the charts with the single "No Air" featuring Chris Brown, and "One Step at a Time." In 2010, she made her debut in the Broadway production of "In the Heights."
  Kelly Clarkson - $2.5 Million
  She is the first "American Idol" and probably the most famous worldwide for her killer pipes, but Kelly Clarkson lands on the middle of the list. Doesn't matter as she topped the charts with her hits "Since You Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes" earned her a Grammy Award-Best Pop Vocal Album for "Breakaway."
  Jennifer Hudson - $2 Million
  After an early elimination from "Idol," Jennifer Hudson became a successful actor winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in her acting debut in "Dreamgirls." Currently, her album "I Remember Me," is enjoying commercial success on the Billboard charts.
  Kellie Pickler - $1.8 Million
  Another country singer from "Idol" who was eliminated early in the top 10, she managed to top the Billboard Hot Country song charts with her signature hit "Red High Heels." Kellie Pickler has become a popular TV personality and has won several CMT Music Awards.
  Clay Aiken - $1.5 Million
  He may have finished as runner up on Season 2 of "Idol," but Clay Aiken has enjoyed a successful music career and Broadway performance in "Monty Python's Spamalot." He regularly appears on TV and has toured nationwide.
  David Archuleta - $1 Million
  The baby of the bunch made it tenth on the list, but David Archuleta remains one of the teen favorites as he won Best American Idol album at the 2010 "Teen Choice Awards."

• queencitybuckeye

  Little Danny;1093824 wrote:The key word in the original question is "the most successful". Hasn't Underwood led the pack in record sales and awards?
  
  
  
  Hudson is right there with her as well with not only her music , but her successes in theatre and the movies.

  Exactly. Another would be the brunette whose name is escaping me on the show "Smash". A lead role on a network show produced by Spielberg is the big time for sure.
• THE4RINGZ

  

  Who the hell paid Fantasia 4 million dollars?????
• dontcare

  

  I'll bet Faith Hill and Martina McBride throw-up in their mouth every time Karaoke Carrie wins an award......
• Ytowngirlinfla

  

  Carrie Underwood by far over everyone else!
• Laley23

  

  Also have to consider that Underwood dominates Country. But thats it. Is she more successful for dominating 1 genre than Kelly Clarkson who doesnt dominate, but is in the much more played/seen/whatever pop genre?
  
  Clarkson has 2 grammys in Pop categories
  Underwood has 5 in Country
  
  Underwood has a bunch of singles reach #1 in Country, but only 3 in the top 10 in general and 1 #1.
  Clarkson has 9 singles reach top 10 in general and 3 #1s.
• Heelz

  

  Underwood. hope this helps
• se-alum

  

  Underwood, and it's not really close. Hudson, Daughtry, and Clarkson are all in the running for 2nd.
• karen lotz

  

  Clarkson does commercials with Chris Berman. She is eliminated from the discussion of being successful.
• Mulva

  

  I think Underwood, Clarkson, Hudson are the pretty clear 1-3.
• vball10set

  dontcare;1093847 wrote:I'll bet Faith Hill and Martina McBride throw-up in their mouth every time Karaoke Carrie wins an award......

  lol--you've GOT to be kidding, right?
• Y-Town Steelhound

  

  Underwood may have sold more, but she's a country singer. American Idol at its base is a show trying to find the next "pop" superstar. Because of this I gotta go with Kelly Clarkson.
• Laley23

  

  Y-Town Steelhound;1093905 wrote:Underwood may have sold more, but she's a country singer. American Idol at its base is a show trying to find the next "pop" superstar. Because of this I gotta go with Kelly Clarkson.

  Exactly my reasoning, and my post tried to explain it above with some numbers.
• vball10set

  Y-Town Steelhound;1093905 wrote:Underwood may have sold more, but she's a country singer. American Idol at its base is a show trying to find the next "pop" superstar. Because of this I gotta go with Kelly Clarkson.

  I didn't realize this. Where did you get this information?
• GoChiefs

  

  
• Laley23

  

  vball10set;1093921 wrote:I didn't realize this. Where did you get this information?

  Simon Cowell said that a lot. It was a reason he didnt endorse people who played instruments as often as he maybe couldve. He was looking for more of a Pop Singer