Here's Where The Runner-Ups Are Today
Since 2002, American Idol has been taking pictures the hearts of viewers. The display just aired the premiere episode of its twentieth season on Sunday, February 27. The winners have all long gone directly to have various degrees of good fortune, but winning does not always mean repute and fortune. Sometimes the runner ups are simply as popular and can even have successful careers.
American Idol, hosted through Ryan Seacrest, used to air on FOX, then went on a hiatus in 2016. Two years later, the display used to be revived on ABC. Since the show was revived, the judges had been Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.
Idol has produced the careers of many superstars together with Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks and more.
But, successful isn't all the time everything. Some of the biggest skill to come back out of an American Idol season in fact placed as a runner-up. Some of them are still in the highlight and some of them don't seem to be. Here's where the runner-ups of American Idol are today.
19 Justin Guarini
Justin Guarini was once the first runner-up on American Idol. He lost to Kelly Clarkson, who continues to be very a lot in the highlight today. Guarini has not released a CD since 2005, and his latest musical liberate was once in 2016, with his EP, JG. He has starred in Broadway musicals since 2010 and still performs for a large number of Broadway and stage-related benefits. Most particularly since 2015, the 43-year-old has been starring as Lil' Sweet in the Diet Dr. Pepper ads. He is also a father and husband.
18 Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken competed in season 2 and got here in second to Ruben Studdard. Aiken has now not launched any music since 2012 and started to turn his occupation to level and TV appearing. This 12 months, he launched a video pronouncing his run for the Democratic Party in North Carolina's 6th congressional district. Aiken continues to be a partner with UNICEF. His courting standing is unknown, but identifies as homosexual.
17 Diana DeGarmo
Diana DeGarmo used to be the runner-up in season 3, shedding to Fantasia Barrino. DeGarmo free up her second album, Gemini, in 2019. She has additionally starred in degree and screen productions. The 34-year-old received the BroadwayWorld Award in 2020 for Best Streamed Concert, after live-streaming a show of her album. DeGarmo is lately married to American Idol alum, Ace Young.
16 Bo Bice
Bo Bice was once the runner-up on the fourth season, where Carrie Underwood was once the winner. He is still enjoying acoustic shows on occasion. Bice has now not released any track professionally since 2010 and spends maximum of his time now being a husband and father to a few children.
15 Katharine McPhee
Katharine McPhee could be one in every of the most popular and successful runner-ups on American Idol. She got here in 2nd on the 5th season, where Taylor Hicks used to be declared the winner. Although she has no longer released an album since 2017, McPhee still sings with her manufacturer husband, David Foster. They performed on The Masked Singer in 2021. She also gave beginning to their son, Rennie, that very same yr. McPhee's career is most all in favour of performing now.
14 Blake Lewis
Blake Lewis competed on the 6th season of the show, striking in second after Jordin Sparks won that season. He remains to be making music and simply released a tune known as "Afterglow" on February 4. His latest album, Wanderlust Unknown, used to be released in 2020.
13 David Archuleta
David Archuleta become the seventh runner-up, where he misplaced to David Cook. His closing album, Therapy Sessions, was once released in 2020. Even regardless that in 2014, he came out to his circle of relatives as gay, he introduced on Twitter in 2021, that he is part of the LGBTQ+ community, but is not sure of his sexuality.
12 Adam Lambert
One of the most surprising finales in Idol historical past, Adam Lambert came in 2nd to Kris Allen on season 8. Along with making music, Lambert is still with and traveling around the world with the band, Queen. He is also a judge on Clash of the Cover Bands and shall be a judge on the UK singing contest, Starstruck. He is one among the most successful and in style Idol alums ever.
11 Crystal Bowersox
Crystal Bowersox came in 2d on the ninth season of American Idol. Lee DeWyze received that season. She remains to be pursuing song while dwelling in Nashville, TN and taking good care of her son, a child she had from a pre-Idol dating. In June 2020, Bowersox launched a single called "Courage to be Kind," which is ready to be featured on her upcoming album called HitchHiker.
10 Lauren Alaina
Lauren Alaina was the runner-up on the tenth season of Idol, by which Scotty McCreery took home the identify. Alaina is still making song and has a a hit occupation in country tune. She launched her album, Sitting Pretty On Top of the World, in 2021. Also that year, she starred in the movie, Roadhouse Romance. In December 2021, she was once requested to change into an official member of the Grand Ole Opry. The 27-year-old is set to star in the upcoming fact display, Beyond the Edge, which is able to premiere on March Sixteen on CBS.
9 Jessica Sanchez
Although Jessica Sanchez might not be considered one of the extra common runner-ups, but she continues to be making tune today. Sanchez came in second to the winner of season 11, Phillip Phillips. In May 2021, she released the single, "Us," which was a response to the xenophobia and racism the Asian community experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
8 Kree Harrison
Kree Harrison used to be the runner-up on the 12th season of the display. Candice Glover won that season. She remains to be making song at the present time but lives a beautiful standard existence. Her 2nd studio album, Chosen Family Tree, was released on Aug. 21, 2020 to streaming platforms, a bodily model was once no longer to be had. Harrison also got married on in June 2021.
7 Jena Irene Asciutto
Jena Irene Asciutto, recognized professionally as just Jena Irene, was the runner-up on the thirteenth season of the display, after Caleb Johnson was declared the winner. She has now not launched any music since 2017, when her album, Cold Fame, used to be launched. Even though she still publishes her singing on social media every from time to time, Asciutto is living an attractive standard life and taking part in it along with her boyfriend and pals.
6 Clark Beckham
Clark Beckham got here in 2d to Nick Fradiani on season 14. He has frequently made track since his time on Idol, together with his latest liberate being in 2020 along with his album Light Year. Beckham is also producing music now and is even staring in a film called An Old Song.
5 La'Porsha Renae
La'Porsha Renae was the closing runner-up ahead of American Idol went off the air. Trent Harmon used to be the winner of season 15. She launched one studio album in 2017 and a stand-alone single, a canopy of Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It?," in 2018. Renae has now not launched any music since then.
4 Caleb Lee Hutchinson
Caleb Lee Hutchinson was once the first runner-up when Idol returned for season 16. He lost to Maddie Poppe. Caleb and Maddie were in a dating since their season. His final EP used to be released in 2019, but since then Hutchinson has launched many stand-alone singles, with the newest being "Slot Machine Syndrome."
3 Alejandro Aranda
Alejandro Aranda got here in 2nd position on the seventeenth season. Laine Hardy gained that season. Since Idol, Aranda has launched three albums and one EP, as recently as 2021. Since being on the show, he has carried out in many festivals and tours.
2 Arthur Gunn
Arthur Gunn used to be a favorite among lovers and judges, so it used to be shocking when he didn't win. Just Sam took home the identify on season 18, where contestants had to carry out from their homes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When contestants from season 18 competed on season 19 for any other likelihood, Gunn was once the winner out of them all. He, on the other hand, did not win the season as soon as once more. He has launched three albums in song profession, with the latest being in July 2020.
1 Willie Spence
Willie Spence misplaced to Chayce Beckham on the nineteenth season. His energy space voice has been heard at festivals, car shows and other events, but he has yet to release an album. We can't wait to listen to it when he does report it.
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