American Idol Winners: Where Are They Now

The frenzy of American Idol seems unceasing and with new seasons coming to us as a storm, no wonder audience are so interested in knowing what's happening every second. I am talking about the past American Idol winners who have shined on the American Idol stage and reserved a seat in millions of hearts. American Idol Season 10 auditions are over and the Hollywood Rounds have begun. But I can't help but think about the previous winners as their track record isn't all that glorious. Only handful of winners have made it in the music industry and some are still struggling through the road in order to gain or maintain the popularity they once had. In our article, we will look at the past winners. So let's find out the answers, shall we?

Did They All Find Success?

In this section, we will go over the past American Idol winners. Let's take a short, chronological journey through the past 9 Seasons and find out.

Season 1 ~ Kelly Clarkson
Who doesn't remember Kelly Clarkson. In 2002, she was the very first American Idol winner and has then moved on to releasing four albums under RCA Records. Her debut album, Thankful, went double-platinum, her second album, Breakaway went multi-platinum which also won 2 Grammy Awards, and her latest album, All I Ever Wanted was nominated for Grammy Awards in 2009. Her fourth and latest album has brought her back into limelight with the chart topping song, My Life Would Suck Without You. Way to go, Kelly!

Season 2 ~ Ruben Studdard
Our next winner is Ruben Studdard who won the 2nd Season in 2003. He was among the final two male contestants, one being Clay Aiken, and then went on to winning the competition. Even though Studdard was the winner, it was Aiken who was the more popular one during and after the show. Studdard's debut album, Soulful went platinum and has then released three more studio albums. His other albums didn't do all that well in the market and couldn't bring that many sales. Studdard married Surata Zuri McCants in 2008 and also was a part of a play named Ain't Misbehavin'. His latest album, Love Is was released in 2009 under Hickory Records label.

Season 3 ~ Fantasia Barrino
After defeating Diana DeGarmo, Fantasia Barrino became Season 3 winner of American Idol in 2004. She released her debut album, Free Yourself which was platinum and was up for 3 Grammy nominations in 2006. Her second album, Fantasia went gold and also received 3 Grammy nominations in 2008. The third album, Back to Me was released in 2010 which rewarded her the first Grammy Award for the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. She has always been surrounded by controversies and scandals. In 2010, Barrino signed a VH1 reality show called Fantasia for Real; which was nothing short of a train wreck.

Season 4 ~ Carrie Underwood
Perhaps one of the best, most popular, and multi-platinum selling artist, Carrie Underwood has really taken the popularity of American Idol and gone places. After winning Season 4 in 2005, Carrie Underwood has released 3 albums - Some Hearts went 7 times platinum, Carnival Ride went 3 times platinum, and Play On went 2 times platinum. She has topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart many times and sold millions and millions of albums all over the world. In 2010, Underwood got married to Mike Fisher, hockey player. She keeps hosting award shows, making special appearances on American Idol, and signing endorsement deals. That's the way to do it!

Season 5 ~ Taylor Hicks
In 2006, Taylor Hicks won Season 5 American Idol. Arista Records signed him right after winning the competition and released his first album, Taylor Hicks in 2006. Hicks has also released two independent albums and is now touring with Grease. Along with that, Hicks is also recording music under his own record label named Modern Whomp Records. You can also see him making few television appearances every now and then.

Season 6 ~ Jordin Sparks
Our Season 6 winner, Jordin Sparks was only 17 years old when she won the competition. She is the youngest Idol winner in history. In 2007, she released her first album, Jordin Sparks which went platinum. This album gave her the first Grammy Awards and American Music Awards nominations. Her second album, Battlefield sold about 2 million copies all across the world. Sparks has also been on tours with Jesse McCartney and Alicia Keys; impressive. She has also starred in a Tony Award Broadway musical named In the Heights.

Season 7 ~ David Cook
Next, we come to our Season 7 winner, David Cook. Cook won American Idol in 2008 but had already released Analog Heart album prior to the competition. After winning the competition, he released an album, David Cook which went platinum. Although his songs haven't really made to the top 10 Billboard chart but Cook is working on his second album. It is expected to release in 2011.

Season 8 ~ Kris Allen
Kris Allen is our Season 8 winner. Before joining the competition, Allen had already released an album, Brand New Shoes in 2007. After winning the competition in 2009, Allen's career hasn't really gone anywhere. He did release his debut album, Kris Allen but it didn't do all that well. About 80,000 copies were sold and the first single didn't even see the light in top 50 Billboard chart. Even though he had actively taken part in raising awareness in Haiti, his singing career isn't all that impressive. Let's hope that his second album can do some wonders for him.

Season 9 ~ Lee DeWyze
We have reached the final name on our winners' list, Lee DeWyze. Before winning the competition in 2010, DeWyze has his own band (solo career), Lee DeWyze Band. He had released two albums when he had his solo career. After American Idol happened, he released the album, Live It Up. He was recording this album when he was on tour with Idol Top 10. DeWyze hasn't really been selling that many albums but let's hope that in future, he can make some positive choices and can get to the other side of fame.

And the reality show's Season 10 winner, Scotty McCreery; only time will tell where, when, and how he will make his mark into the music industry. Well, these were our past American Idol winners. The information has been given to you. As every season of American Idol is being waited upon with enthusiasm, let's hope that more winners can bring some positive change and can perhaps compete with Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.