Catch up with your favorite American Idol contestants from Seasons 1 and 5.
During each episode of American Idol we find ourselves falling in love with the contestants, but afterwards, many of us wonder how many of our favorite idols went on to bigger and better things. Well, today I'm going to update you on some of the past American Idol contestants. I won't be able to list all their achievements, but I promise I'll get in some of their best accomplishments.
I'm sure y'all remember the country girl from North Carolina, Kellie Pickler. She didn't win American Idol Season 5, but she did finish sixth. In fact, since Kellie Pickler's appearance on American Idol Season 5, she signed a recording contract with BNA Records, and released her debut single, "Red High Hells" in September 2006. Then, the following month she released her debut album, "Small Town Girl." "Red High Heels" made it to #1 on the GAC Top 20 Countdown on February 9. Furthermore, her debut album sold 79,000 copies during the first week, and advanced to #9 on the Billboard Top 200. However, the big surprise for Kellie Pickler came when she co-hosted The View on January 18, 2007. During the show, Rosie O'Donnell presented her with a gold record. The gold record certified that her album had gone gold!
Last, but certainly not least, Kellie Pickler has recently been nominated for the Country Music Television Awards (Breakthrough Video of the Year: "Red High Heels"), and the Academy of Country Music Awards (Top New Female Vocalist of the Year).
We can't forget last season's winner now can we? Since Taylor Hicks won American Idol Season 5, he has released two albums ("Under the Radar" and "Taylor Hicks"), and two singles ("Do I Make You Proud" and "Just to Feel That Way"). "Do I Make You Proud" climbed to #1 on the Billboard's Hot 100, and it was certified gold by the RIAA. To add to his success, his self-titled album, "Taylor Hicks," has sold over one million copies so far!
In addition to his albums, Taylor Hicks has also appeared on television shows such as Saturday Night Live, Entertainment Tonight, Larry King Live, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Early Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View and many others.
What about Kelly Clarkson, where do you think her career has soared to since she won American Idol Season 1? Kelly Clarkson's debut album, "Thankful" not only made it to the top of the charts, but it sold over 200,000 copies! In addition to "Thankful," Kelly Clarkson released her second album in 2004, "Breakaway," and watch for her third album sometime in mid-2007, "My December."
Kelly Clarkson has been busy acting as well as singing. In 2007, she appeared on an episode of Reba, and she played the role of Brenda Lee in American Dreams. Other television credits include From Justin to Kelly and Issues 101. When she's not acting or recording albums, she's busy making special television appearances on programs like CMT Crossroads, Daytona 500: The Great American Race Nextel Tribute to America Pre-Race Show, CMT Giants, E! True Hollywood Story, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee and several others.
Now that you know what three of your favorite American Idol contestants have been up to since they left the show, check back for more articles regarding other American Idol contestants, American Idol news, next season's American Idol recaps and much more!
As always, I welcome any suggestions and comments. If there's a past American Idol you would like to know about, contact me with their name and I'll do my very best to include him or her in my upcoming American Idol articles.
