With "American Idol" viewers having to choose between Candice Glover and Kree Harrison, we catch up with some past winners.
Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips, shown performing during NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston in February 2013, recently postponed some tour dates because of health issues. His struggle with kidney stones was well documented during his time on the show.
Since he was crowned the winner of "American Idol" season 10 in 2011, Scotty McCreery's debut album "Clear as Day" has been certified platinum and he was named the Academy of Country Music's Best New Artist in 2012. His newest single, "See You Tonight," recently hit the airwaves.
Lee DeWyze had a small music career before auditioning for season nine of "American Idol," with two albums. After his win, he went on to release "Live It Up" with RCA Records in 2010. But a year later, the record label dropped DeWyze when the album sold just over 146,000 copies. He married model Jonna Walsh and signed with a new label. This season he returned to "Idol" to perform his new song, "Silver Lining."
Like DeWyze, Kris Allen had released an album before he got on "American Idol." After a very heated battle with Adam Lambert, Allen won season eight in 2009. After a car accident in which he broke his wrist on New Year's Day 2013, Allen told the Chicago Tribune he was "more driven since Idol." He and his wife are expecting a baby boy this summer
David Cook rocked a win in a close competition with runner-up David Archuleta on season seven of "American Idol" in 2008. The same year, he released "David Cook," which has been certified platinum. Cook parted ways with RCA Records in 2012. This season he performed a new single, "Laying Me Low," which USA Today reported debuted on the charts with 14,000 sales.
Jordin Sparks made history by becoming the youngest winner of "American Idol" at age 17 on season six in 2007. Her eponymous debut album that year went platinum and featured the hit single "No Air." Sparks' second album, "Battlefield," in 2009 and its namesake single also peaked on the charts. She starred in "Sparkle," Whitney Houston's last movie, performed "I Will Always Love You" at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards and has made the news because of her dramatic weight loss.
Taylor Hicks' blues-meets-rock style earned him a following that led to his win on season five of "American Idol" in 2006, beating favorite (and now "Smash" star) Katharine McPhee. His self-titled debut album was certified platinum, and his single "Do I Make You Proud" debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles. Hicks released "The Distance" in 2008 on his independent record label, Modern Whomp. Shown here performing at a charity event in 2012, he is currently performing in Las Vegas.
Carrie Underwood went from college student to winner on season four of "American Idol" in 2005. Her debut album, "Some Hearts," was certified seven times platinum, and she has gone on to win multiple Grammy awards. Married to hockey player Mike Fisher, she recently told Marie Claire "I don't feel old enough to have kids."
Fantasia Barrino defeated Diana DeGarmo on season three of "American Idol" in 2004. She released her debut album, "Free Yourself," which was certified platinum, the same year. Barrino won her first Grammy award in 2011 for her single "Bittersweet" from her third album, "Back to Me." She has appeared on Broadway in "The Color Purple," been the subject of her own reality show and In April 2013 released a new album, "Side Effects of You."
Ruben Studdard was crowned the winner of "American Idol" on season two in 2003, beating Clay Aiken. His first album, "Soulful," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 that year. Studdard has since released four more studio albums, gotten divorced and shed more than 100 pounds.
The moment Kelly Clarkson became the very first winner of "American Idol" in 2002, she became a household name. Since her debut album, "Thankful," she has released five award-winning albums, with singles like "Because of You" topping the Billboard music charts. Clarkson's latest is the upbeat song "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" from her fifth album, "Stronger." In 2012 she served as a judge on ABC's music competition show "Duets." She is engaged to talent manager Brandon Blackstock.
With "American Idol" viewers having to choose between Candice Glover and Kree Harrison, we catch up with some past winners.
Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips, shown performing during NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston in February 2013, recently postponed some tour dates because of health issues. His struggle with kidney stones was well documented during his time on the show.
Lee DeWyze had a small music career before auditioning for season nine of "American Idol," with two albums. After his win, he went on to release "Live It Up" with RCA Records in 2010. But a year later, the record label dropped DeWyze when the album sold just over 146,000 copies. He married model Jonna Walsh and signed with a new label. This season he returned to "Idol" to perform his new song, "Silver Lining."
David Cook rocked a win in a close competition with runner-up David Archuleta on season seven of "American Idol" in 2008. The same year, he released "David Cook," which has been certified platinum. Cook parted ways with RCA Records in 2012. This season he performed a new single, "Laying Me Low," which USA Today reported debuted on the charts with 14,000 sales.
Jordin Sparks made history by becoming the youngest winner of "American Idol" at age 17 on season six in 2007. Her eponymous debut album that year went platinum and featured the hit single "No Air." Sparks' second album, "Battlefield," in 2009 and its namesake single also peaked on the charts. She starred in "Sparkle," Whitney Houston's last movie, performed "I Will Always Love You" at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards and has made the news because of her dramatic weight loss.
Fantasia Barrino defeated Diana DeGarmo on season three of "American Idol" in 2004. She released her debut album, "Free Yourself," which was certified platinum, the same year. Barrino won her first Grammy award in 2011 for her single "Bittersweet" from her third album, "Back to Me." She has appeared on Broadway in "The Color Purple," been the subject of her own reality show and In April 2013 released a new album, "Side Effects of You."
