It's that time of year again! You know what I mean: it's time for a brand new season of American Idol! In the countdown to the big season premiere, I'd like to get you all warmed up by looking back at a decade's worth of memories and moments. Today, we'll be counting down my favorite Idol contestants who proved that they didn't need to win in order to leave a mark on the entertainment landscape.
10. Number 10 is actually a tie between Season 10's Pia Toscano (9th place) and Season 11's Colton Dixon (seventh place). Although they are both worlds apart in musical style- Toscano is a belter and Dixon is a piano man- they were both shock eliminations in their respective seasons. Both were widely expected to make the Top 5, and although both are yet to release any substantial material, they are both all-time favorite Idol alumni.
Watch Out: Pia Toscano will soon be seen in her very first movie role in a film called Grace Unplugged; Colton Dixon will be releasing his debut album A Messenger later this month.
9. Katharine McPhee: You know she's awesome. She finished a (very) close second in Season 5 and has since gone on to find fame in numerous acting roles. She's appeared in popular movies like The House Bunny and Shark Night 3D, and has a major role in the TV series Smash. Her music career hasn't been too shabby, with three studio albums and her single "Over It" being certified Gold.
Watch Out: While McPhee is working on new music, you can watch her on Smash.
8. Haley Reinhart: Her sultry, jazzy vocals and svelte persona made her a crowd- and celebrity- favorite on Season 10. Although she made it all the way to third place, she certainly left her mark. In fact, it was rumored that Reinhart would replace Season 10 runner up Lauren Alaina for the Season Finale against eventual winner Scotty McCreery, following Alaina's untimely illness. Since leaving the Idol stage, Reinhart has released her acclaimed debut album, Listen Up! which featured the equally acclaimed single Free.
Watch Out: Apart from an appearance on 90210 last year, it doesn't look like Reinhart is up to much. But I'm ready to bet she's working on some more sizzling music.
7. Jessica Sanchez: The Season 11 sweetheart was a global sensation thanks to her out-of-this-world powerhouse voice and sweet demeanor. The shock of the season was actually when 16-year old Jessica was declared the lowest vote getter, but thankfully the judges stepped in and used their only "Save". Jessica's style is beyond her years- she tackled the likes of Beyonce, Whitney Houston and Jennifer Holliday with ease. Of course, she didn't win, but that hasn't stopped her from leaving a mark.
Watch Out: Jessica has been confirmed as a recurring guest star on Season 4 of Glee. It's also pretty certain that her debut album will be out soon!
6. Kellie Pickler: She finished sixth during Season 5, but since then, she's gone on to become a big country star. Her sunny, country-gal style helped make her debut album, Small Town Girl a success, being certified Gold and producing three Top 20 singles.
Watch Out: She released her latest album, 100 Proof in 2012, and you can hear her on practically every country radio station.
5. Clay Aiken: He caused a sensation during his time on Season 2, but was beaten by Ruben Studdard by a thin margin. The runner-up has since gone on to sell nearly 5 million records in the U.S.
Watch Out: It's been a while since Aiken has released any new material, but can you blame him for wanting to relax? His newest album, Steadfast is a collection of his concert performances.
4. Adam Lambert: He turned out to be a worldwide superstar after his time on Season 8. With his flamboyant style and incredible vocals, it was widely believed that he would win the season. However, Kris Allen's guy-next door image made him the victor, resulting in one of the biggest Idol controversies and public backlash ever.
Watch Out: Lambert is currently busy promoting his critically acclaimed second studio album Trespassing.
3. Jennifer Hudson: The biggest shock of Season 3 was the 7th-place elimination of Jennifer Hudson, who was considered a shoo-in for the finale. Since then, shes' gone on to superstardom, releasing two Gold-certified albums, and starring in numerous movies, most prominently in 2006's Dreamgirls, which earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar- the only Idol contestant to ever win the prestigious award.
Watch Out: Hudson is currently focusing on her acting career, recently appearing in the 2012 film version of The Three Stooges and alongside fellow Idol alum Katharine McPhee in Smash.
2. Chris Daughtry: His 4th-place shock elimination in Season 5 caused an uproar from fans petitioning that he be returned to the competition. What happened was clearly for the best, because since then, he has formed a band called Daughtry (heard of it?) and the rest is history. Daughtry (the band) has since gone on to sell more than 6 million albums in the U.S. and their three studio albums have delivered several power ballads that have become immortal.
Watch Out: Daughtry's fourth studio album Battleground will release in 2013.
1. David Archuleta: From a shy teenager on Season 7 to a youth icon, David Archuleta was the true star of American Idol's 2008 season. He finished a close second, losing the title to David Cook after a legendary "Battle of the Davids". With his sincere personality and soulful voice, every song David delivers resonates on an emotional level. He is my favorite Idol Who Didn't Win.
Watch Out: David is on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so we won't be hearing from him till 2014. Till then you should listen to his album Begin (read my review of it here) which contains several inspirational songs to make your day.
What about you? There are many, many more amazing contestants who have made their mark. Who are your favorites?
American Idol premieres January 16 and 17, 2013 on FOX.
10. Number 10 is actually a tie between Season 10's Pia Toscano (9th place) and Season 11's Colton Dixon (seventh place). Although they are both worlds apart in musical style- Toscano is a belter and Dixon is a piano man- they were both shock eliminations in their respective seasons. Both were widely expected to make the Top 5, and although both are yet to release any substantial material, they are both all-time favorite Idol alumni.
9. Katharine McPhee: You know she's awesome. She finished a (very) close second in Season 5 and has since gone on to find fame in numerous acting roles. She's appeared in popular movies like The House Bunny and Shark Night 3D, and has a major role in the TV series Smash. Her music career hasn't been too shabby, with three studio albums and her single "Over It" being certified Gold.
8. Haley Reinhart: Her sultry, jazzy vocals and svelte persona made her a crowd- and celebrity- favorite on Season 10. Although she made it all the way to third place, she certainly left her mark. In fact, it was rumored that Reinhart would replace Season 10 runner up Lauren Alaina for the Season Finale against eventual winner Scotty McCreery, following Alaina's untimely illness. Since leaving the Idol stage, Reinhart has released her acclaimed debut album, Listen Up! which featured the equally acclaimed single Free.
7. Jessica Sanchez: The Season 11 sweetheart was a global sensation thanks to her out-of-this-world powerhouse voice and sweet demeanor. The shock of the season was actually when 16-year old Jessica was declared the lowest vote getter, but thankfully the judges stepped in and used their only "Save". Jessica's style is beyond her years- she tackled the likes of Beyonce, Whitney Houston and Jennifer Holliday with ease. Of course, she didn't win, but that hasn't stopped her from leaving a mark.
6. Kellie Pickler: She finished sixth during Season 5, but since then, she's gone on to become a big country star. Her sunny, country-gal style helped make her debut album, Small Town Girl a success, being certified Gold and producing three Top 20 singles.
Watch Out: She released her latest album, 100 Proof in 2012, and you can hear her on practically every country radio station.
5. Clay Aiken: He caused a sensation during his time on Season 2, but was beaten by Ruben Studdard by a thin margin. The runner-up has since gone on to sell nearly 5 million records in the U.S.
Watch Out: It's been a while since Aiken has released any new material, but can you blame him for wanting to relax? His newest album, Steadfast is a collection of his concert performances.
4. Adam Lambert: He turned out to be a worldwide superstar after his time on Season 8. With his flamboyant style and incredible vocals, it was widely believed that he would win the season. However, Kris Allen's guy-next door image made him the victor, resulting in one of the biggest Idol controversies and public backlash ever.
Watch Out: Lambert is currently busy promoting his critically acclaimed second studio album Trespassing.
3. Jennifer Hudson: The biggest shock of Season 3 was the 7th-place elimination of Jennifer Hudson, who was considered a shoo-in for the finale. Since then, shes' gone on to superstardom, releasing two Gold-certified albums, and starring in numerous movies, most prominently in 2006's Dreamgirls, which earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar- the only Idol contestant to ever win the prestigious award.
Watch Out: Hudson is currently focusing on her acting career, recently appearing in the 2012 film version of The Three Stooges and alongside fellow Idol alum Katharine McPhee in Smash.
Watch Out: Daughtry's fourth studio album Battleground will release in 2013.
Watch Out: David is on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so we won't be hearing from him till 2014. Till then you should listen to his album Begin (read my review of it here) which contains several inspirational songs to make your day.
What about you? There are many, many more amazing contestants who have made their mark. Who are your favorites?
American Idol premieres January 16 and 17, 2013 on FOX.