American Idol Winners: Where Are They Now?
The 11th season of the American Idol has ended. Bluesy rocker Phillip Phillips has won over Filipino-Mexican Jessica Sanchez after a record-setting 132 million votes.
But what does winning the AI crown mean? Let's take a look back at the previous winners and see where they are now in their careers.
KELLY CLARKSON (Season 1. 2002)
The original American Idol has made 5 albums and sold 11.6 million albums. She has garnered 70 awards, including 2 Grammy Awards. She is currently on tour promoting her 5th album Stronger.
RUB EN STUDDARD (2003)
The R&B singer has 5 albums in his belt and a total of 2.6 million in album sales. He has been nominated for a Grammy in 2004. He was last heard divorcing his wife .
FANTASIA BARRINO (2004)
The former single mom has sold 2.9 million albums and won 15 awards, including one Grammy. She is currently working on her fourth album.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD (2005)
The most successful AI winner thus far, the country star has sold 13 million albums and won 116 awards out of 175 nominations. Her last album Blown Away debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200.
TAYLOR HICKS (2006)
The gray-heard crooner is now a Vegas mainstay. He has only sold 767,000 albums. He has made 2 albums..
JORDIN SPARKS (2007)
The teen champ has reached the million figures in album sales at 1.2. Her single "No Air" has reached the top of the charts. She is currently waiting for the release of her first film "Sparkle".
DAVID COOK (2008)
He was the first rocker to win the competition and has sold 1.5 million albums since with 4 awards under his belt. It was last reported that he is shopping for a new label after RCA dropped him.
KRIS ALLEN (2009)
The acoustic rocker has sold only 331,000 albums and has just released his second album this May.
LEE DEWYZE (2010)
He has sold two independent albums before Idol and looks like he's heading the indie way after he was dropped by his record labels. He has sold only a measly 146,000 albums.
SCOTTY MCREERY (2011)
The country sensation has sold 1.3 million for his debut album, Clear As Day. He has won 2 country music awards. He is reportedly taking a hiatus to resume his studies.