Whoever coined the phrase “winning isn’t everything” must have been familiar with the results on “American Idol.” While the show has helped launch the megawatt careers of musicians like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, sometimes the show’s finalists who don’t win are the ones who ultimately enjoy thriving careers in entertainment.
As we watch Season 23 of the competition unfold, learn more about seven of the most successful artists who never took home the “Idol” crown.
Clay Aiken (Season 2, runner-up)
It’s been over a decade since Clay Aiken released a traditional studio album, yet the singer remains one of the top-selling “Idol” alums. Shortly after losing to Rueben Studdard, Aiken released his debut album “Measure of a Man” in 2003. The record earned double platinum status and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
To date, Aiken has sold over five million albums. His most recent release, the 2024 holiday album “Christmas Bells Are Ringing,” was his first album since 2012’s “Steadfast.”
Katharine McPhee (Season 5, runner-up)
McPhee lost to Taylor Hicks in 2006, although she’s since released far more albums than her charismatic competitor. The singer has dropped six records since her time on “Idol” (compared to two from Hicks), although she’s largely had more success on the silver screen.
McPhee has appeared in eight films to date, including the 2008 comedy “The House Bunny,” and has acted on Broadway in the musical “Waitress.” She appeared on “The Masked Singer” with her husband David Foster in 2021, but ultimately lost to Jewel in one of the competition’s final rounds.
Jennifer Hudson (Season 3, seventh place)
Jennifer Hudson doesn’t have the title of “American Idol,” but she does have something that no other “Idol” alum does – an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards). After placing seventh in the competition’s third season, Hudson has branched out across the entertainment industry, securing the industry’s top honors, including an Academy Award for “Best Supporting Actress” in “Dreamgirls” and a Tony Award for “Best Musical” as a producer of the show “A Strange Loop.”
She’s released four solo albums — including her 2024 Christmas project “The Gift of Love” — and has received Grammy Awards for her 2008 self-titled record, and her appearance on a cast recording of “The Color Purple.”
Chris Daughtry (Season 5, fourth place)
Chris Daughtry may not have received enough votes to reach the “American Idol” finale, but America didn’t forget about him – because his music stayed on repeat across Top 40 radio.
The rock artist released his debut album “Daughtry” in 2006, which included the hits “It’s Not Over,” “Home,” and “Not Over You,” which peaked at No. 4, 5, and 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. “Daughtry” would go on to sell over three million copies and become the top-selling album of 2007. The artist has since shared five additional studio albums, although “Daughtry” remains his most impactful release.
Kellie Pickler (Season 5, sixth place)
Something special was in the air during Season 5, apparently. Since placing sixth on the competition in 2006, Kellie Pickler has carved out a place for herself in country music. She’s earned a few hits within the genre — including “Red High Heels” and “I Wonder” — although her greatest claim to fame may be co-writing the song “Best Days Of Your Life” with Taylor Swift. The collaboration appeared on her self-titled second album, and set up Pickler to be an opening act on Swift’s “Fearless” tour in 2009 and 2010.
She also returned to TV in 2013, competing on – and winning – the 16th season of “Dancing With The Stars” alongside her professional dancing partner, Derek Hough.
Adam Lambert (Season 8, runner-up)
When Adam Lambert auditioned for “American Idol” in 2009, he secured a ticket to Hollywood by performing a portion of Queen’s magnum opus “Bohemian Rhapsody.” And while he ultimately placed second during the show’s eighth season, his glam-rock notoriety earned him the ultimate consolation prize: touring as the lead vocalist of Queen. Lambert has toured with the group extensively across North America, Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America, and has released two live projects under the “Queen + Adam Lambert” moniker.
His solo career is also one of the more storied among “Idol” alums. Lambert’s single “Whataya Want from Me” peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2010, the highest-charting of his 10 entries. Most recently, he released an EP titled “AFTERS,” and has blossomed in the theater world as the Emcee of a Broadway production of “Cabaret.”
David Archuleta (Season 7, runner-up)
David Archuleta placed second during Season 7 of “American Idol” – and then he earned the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. “Crush,” from the singer’s 2008 self-titled album, remains Archuleta’s biggest hit across his eight-record discography.
History repeated in 2023 when Archuleta competed in Season 9 of “The Masked Singer” and finished in second place. After going viral on TikTok for covering the Sabrina Carpenter Hit “Espresso,” the artist has his own treat in store, and plans to release his next single “Crème Brulée” later this month.
