Ever since American Idol premiered in 2002, it has captivated and inspired millions of people around the country. Now in its 18th season, the program has showcased some incredible talent and launched many contestants’ careers in the music industry.
In this article, we’ll highlight seven of the top singers and songwriters who got their start on American Idol. Not all of these participants won their seasons, and you might not even know that they were on the show at all!
Kelly Clarkson
As the winner of season one of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson is an icon in pop music. Her most popular songs include “Miss Independent” and “Since U Been Gone.” In the years since her appearance on the show, she has completed several successful world tours and appeared in a number of popular films and television shows.
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood shined on season four of American Idol, where she took home the first-place prize. Since then, she’s become one of country music’s biggest stars. Her hits include “Before He Cheats” and “Church Bells.” She has also released songs with other music superstars like Keith Urban and Brad Paisley.
Katharine McPhee
In the fifth season of the show, Katharine McPhee finished in second place behind Taylor Hicks. Her remarkable rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was a fan favorite and showcased her indisputable singing talent. Since her time on the show, McPhee has also become a successful actress in TV and film.
Scotty McCreery
This country crooner was just 17 years old when he won the 10th season of American Idol. His deep voice set him apart from the competition, and he went on to launch a highly successful career in country music. His song “This Is It” went certified platinum in the United States in 2019.
Lauren Alaina
Georgia-born Lauren Alaina is another super-successful country artist to get her start on the show. She finished as runner-up to Scotty McCreery in 2011 at age 16 and has released popular songs, including “Road Less Traveled” and “Doin’ Fine.” In 2019, she competed in the 28th season of Dancing With the Stars.
Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert appeared on the eighth season of American Idol, where he finished in second place. After the show, he had several hit singles as a solo artist, including “Whataya Want from Me.” However, his most notable work is with the legendary group Queen, with whom he has performed since 2011.
Jennifer Hudson
Even though she placed seventh in her season, Jennifer Hudson remains one of the biggest stars to emerge from American Idol. She’s most recognizable for her work in films such as Dreamgirls and the Sex and the City movie. In recent years, she appeared as a coach on the US and UK versions of The Voice.
Over the years, American Idol has had an undeniable cultural impact, giving up-and-coming musicians a platform to start their careers. This list is merely a small sample of the talent that has been featured on the show.
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