In the storied annals of the FOX hit reality show "American Idol," there are the Jennifer Hudsons and the Kelly Clarksons, for whom life after Simon, Paula and Randy has led to extraordinary success and fame. However, not every former Idol has been the showstopper from "Dreamgirls" (2006) or has unbearably catchy songs with questionable titles (see Clarkson's number-one single from this year, "My Life Would Suck Without You").
Once beloved by scores of Idol fans, season two runner-up Clay Aiken and season one runner-up Justin Guarini are now undeniably has-beens -- but they could well be considered the lucky ones. Aiken is still a tabloid regular and Guarini works for the TV Guide Channel.
Eight seasons with around a dozen finalists apiece makes for approximately 100 would-be Idols. Where are these failed starlets now?
Take season two winner Ruben Studdard. Living proof that success on Idol does not equal long-standing acclaim, Studdard saw his career peak when he performed as the warm-up artist for Hilary Duff at "America's Future Rocks Today," a concert hosted by the Bush twins in honor of their father's 2004 reelection. While Studdard remains a relative household name, his career achievements are certainly not equivalent to the hype surrounding his victory.
The "Velvet Teddy Bear," however, seems positively world-renowned compared to Sanjaya Malakar, the infamous finalist from season six. Arguably one of Idol's most polarizing contestants, the then 17 year-old got major publicity and garnered a huge fan base (in large part due to the organization "Vote for the Worst"), despite dubious singing skills and the potentially strangest hairstyle ever conceived, the "ponyhawk."
After Idol, Malakar had the audacity to publish an autobiography, titled "Dancing to the Music in My Head: Memoirs of the People's Idol" (2009). Other post-Idol highlights for Malakar have included getting slimed on Nickelodeon and, as People Magazine reported in 2007, signing an autograph at the personal behest of then-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, D-N.Y.
And what of Chris Richardson (season six), George Huff (season three), Kevin Covais (season five) and Anthony Fedorov (season four)? All were finalists on "American Idol," yet none have garnered so much as a blink of attention today.
Nonetheless, the successes of Idol remain extraordinary. Consider Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry or Jordin Sparks, all of whom have found devoted followings and major mainstream success.
"American Idol" has been and remains a force to be reckoned with. Maybe one of this season's remaining finalists -- the glam-rock sensation Adam Lambert, the 17 year-old rock powerhouse Allison Iraheta, the goofy and bluesy Danny Gokey or the John Mayer-esque guitarist Kris Allen -- will be the next Kelly Clarkson. You never know. Or maybe an already-eliminated Idol will be vindicated a la Jennifer Hudson, who rose from obscurity to win an Oscar and a Grammy two years after her Idol run.
The more probable outcome, however, is that this year's Idol crop, as in years past, contains a few gems and a bunch of already-dimming stars.
