What about the other Idols?
Got an e-mail this morning from a reader who saw the Chris Daughtry story and had a few questions about other Idols:
Found your article on Chris Daughtry interesting. One thing you eluded to was that other former "idols" have gone idle, but no real follow up on what that really means for each individual artist. I certainly don't know what all of them are doing. Wondering if you or someone can do an article
on 'what are they doing now', popularity waning or gaining? big selling records or flops?, did they make much of an impact on America?
Season 1: Kelly Clarkson
Season 2: Rueben, Clay
Season 3: Fantasia, Where did she go?
Season4: Carrie Underwood
Season 5: Taylor
Fair enough. I replied: We wanted to have a box with record sales with today's story, but ran out of time to track them down from official sources. However, if you're willing to accept numbers from Wikipedia, I can tell you:
Kelly Clarkson is a superstar, with 8 million records sold
Rueben has become a mid-level success with a mix of gospel and R&B records, with about 2.5 million records sold.
Clay Aiken has a rabid fan base, but hasn't crossed over the way Clarkson has. He's sold nearly 3 million albums.
Fantasia recently starred in a Lifetime movie about her life story. Her first album went platinum (1,000,000 sales) and her second album has sold about 350,000 copies.
Carrie Underwood is a superstar in country music, with about 5 million albums sold.
Taylor Hicks - The jury is still out. His post-Idol album went gold (500,000 sales), but hasn't had the widespread success of Chris Daughtry.
The more interesting thing to me is what happened to past Idol runner-ups like Bucky Covington, LaToya London or Constantine Maroulis. You've probably heard what Jennifer Hudson has been up to.
Idol Worship is another good site for getting record sales.
Idol Worship is another good site for getting record sales.
posted by AndyW @ 2/27/2007 07:35:00 AM
13 comments
13 Comments:
Bucky has an album to debut on April 17th after signing a deal with Lyric Street Records. His first single was released the middle of January and is around #32 on Country top chart and rising. He has not been idle but busy on the road promoting his new single. I expect to hear lots more great things about him as well as my other idol favorites.
I believe that Fantasia is going to star starring as Celie in the Broadway play, The Color Purple, alongside American Idol season 3 finalist/friend, LaToya London.
Tangentially related, what happened to all the "Rock Star: INXS/Supernova" folks? Zayra, Toby, Magni, Dilana, Marty, Jordis, Ty, etc.?
Constantine just finished a run off-Broadway in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Right before that, he performed in The Wedding Singer on Broadway. I think his CD should be released in June. Check out his news at www.constantinemaroulis.com or at www.MySpace.com/constantinemaroulis.
Constantine has been anything but Idol. He has just finished a run in the off-Broadway production of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living In Paris. Prior to this he was Sammie in the Broadway production of The Wedding Singer. Last night he performed in Broadway Backwards, Thursday night he will be at Joes Pub. March 4th will be Broadway Cares and April 21st, Constantine goes south to Birmingham to perform at the Grassroots Soccer/Kickaids benefit. Constantine is currently working on his debut CD due to be released around June. For more info on Constantine, check out his website ConstantineMaroulis.com or Myspace.com/ConstantineMaroulis.
Bucky also had his video debut at #1 on CMT's Pure Country 12 Pack Countdown this week.He will be making his Opry debut march 9th as well as following it up in April with a TV Opry appearance. If you would like to read more of what Bucky is up to please visit:
http://teamcovington.blogspot.com/
I believe Clay has sold 7 million cd's. He has also amassed 28 million in concert sales, and had the fastest selling single in 2003 (613,00 the first week) since Elton John's tribute to Princess Diana.
Since when has Fantasia's cd gone platinum?? Was that 1,000,000 sold or sent to stores?? Because I don't think she sold 1,000,000. I thought her cd had low (for a 'winner') first week sales; less than 120,000.
As for Constantine performing in the short-run The Wedding Singer, I don't remember reading good reviews for him.
Basically Clay is the only DIVERSE Idol contestant there has been. THAT is what makes him THE AMERICAN IDOL: he is everything the producers and judges were/are looking for in an 'idol'; no one else has come close- whether Carrie/Kelly C. sells more cds or the great Jennifer Hudson wins the deserved Oscar-no one is an IDOL except for Clay- think about it! Pretend you have an 'Idol' checklist in front of you and go down the list for every thing that makes up and idol and then compare all the contestants-"winners or losers" and see who has the most checks next to their name.
Clay is diverse?
Um - are you sure that word means what you think it means?
Don't use Wikipedia for anything if you don't want to look silly. Anyone can edit anything on Wikipedia. Schools no longer allow it as a source.
Yes Clay has sold over 7 million CDs and is now closer to 30 million in concert sales. Only Kelly has sold more but not by much.
All the others are way behind.
I would like to think that Clay Aiken's fan base is very devoted and supportive not rapid. We are no different than any other fanbase that loves their favorite singer!!
Clay has done phenominally in his concerts and can now add Comedian to his accomplishments. He had his audiance rolling the isles! Right now he is getting ready in April to do some work for UNICEF then after that in the summer will tour again !
Just saw Constantine in Jacques Brel in NYC..and though I've been a fan for awhile and eagerly await his debut CD with C's own music, the depth of his acting and vocal skills on the stage was...in the words of the Playbill critic..a real "revelation!" His voice is phenomenal and he brought the audience to tears with his emotional portrayal in the four person cast of Broadway vets/award winners. He has promised to do more theater in the future..but the rocker within is still around!!
He is currently on Fox Tv as the "Idol Insider" two mornings a week during this season's shows as well. AI still loves him!
I wish Constantine hadn't embraced Christianity. It seems like he is largely culpable for the monolith that faith has become, and all the problems associated with it.
Also, Keanu Reeves is not a good actor.
>Clay is diverse?
>
>Um - are you sure that word means
> what you think it means?
Hahaha! LMAO!
This thread is certainly "diverse." Not to mention friggin' hilarious. Boy, some people... wish I lived in their bizaro alternate universe world. OK, not really.
But take for instance the "anonymous" person who out of nowhere brings up Constantine's religion (calling Christianity a monolith? Huh?) and Keanu Reeves acting ability. I mean, where the hell did THAT come from?
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