Chart Article
"American Idol" fans may have called in votes by the millions each week of each of the show's nine seasons, but winning isn't always everything once the finale's confetti settles. How have the contestants stacked up out in the wider waters of the music industry? By totaling the album sales, individual song sales and radio play counts (according to Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen BDS as of April 17, 2010), we've figured out the true top 24 "Idols" of all time.
American Idol Main Page
Readers' Poll: Your Favorite Idol
Gallery: American Idols Then & Now
Order American Idol Billboard Issues
24
Album Sales: 96,000
Track Sales: 161,000
Radio Plays: 4,000
After finishing fourth on "Idol" last season, the now 18-year-old Iraheta reached the top 40 on the Billboard 200 with her debut album "Just Like You." She'll serve as the opening act on Adam Lambert's "GlamNation Tour" this summer.
list divider
23
Album Sales: 167,000
Track Sales: 106,000
Radio Plays: 4,000
Since placing second on "Idol" in 2004, DeGarmo has recorded pop and country while devoting most of her attention to musical theater. She currently stars as "Sheila" in the Broadway production of "Hair."
list divider
22
Album Sales: 124,000
Track Sales: 211,000
Radio Plays: 14,000
Though he only sang one country song during his time on "Idol" -- Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel," incidentally -- the season 8 third-place finalist has been warmly welcomed by country fans, reaching the top five of the Billboard 200 and Country Albums with his debut album, "My Best Days."
list divider
21
Album Sales: 240,000
Track Sales: 127,000
Radio Plays: 1,000
Although William never hung around long enough to compete after his charmingly off-key audition with "She Bangs," cult status ensued, with the "singer" making cameos on several sitcoms and reaching No. 34 on the Billboard 200 with "Inspiration" in 2004.
list divider
20
Album Sales: 240,000
Track Sales: 299,000
Radio Plays: 250,000
Post-"Idol," Locke has scored three No. 1s apiece on Billboard's Adult Contemporary and Dance/Club Play Songs charts. It's no wonder, then, that judge Randy Jackson chose Locke to be the first artist on his new dance label, DreamMerchant21. She also drew praise for her efforts on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" in 2007.
list divider
19
Album Sales: 780,000
Track Sales: 345,000
Radio Plays: 21,000
Perhaps the unlikeliest "Idol" winner ever, the Soul Patrol leader made Forbes' 2009 "top 10-earning 'American Idol' stars" tally at number 10, with more than $300,000 earned from album sales and from his role as "Teen Angel" in the national tour of "Grease."
list divider
Text by Gary Trust, Chart Beat Columnist
Up for Discussion
Jump to ForumsSort By
Page:
Page: