Just FYI, for those who are interested, the real work of making a star comes after the contest. The artist has to go out and promote their album and themselves, and work hard at it. Only a small number of former AI contestants are doing well in other entertainment industry venues. Jennifer Hudson will be the first former AI alum to star -- have the lead -- in an A-list motion picture. Dianna DeGarmo is touring in a Broadway musical as the lead.
So far, only Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Josh Gracin (who had two #1 Country singles) and, although she's still only just beginning, Carrie Underwood, look likely to have long-term recording success. Clay might, but he still hasn't cut a 2nd album.
Recording artists must tour to promote their material and to stand any chance of making the really big bucks. Here is a link to the list top touring acts of 2005.
The 2005 American Idols Live tour (which the top 10 contestants have done each year) is #37 on the list, grossing $16.9 million.
Only Kelly and Clay Aiken have had success with solo tours. In 2005, Kelly grossed $11.7 million domestically on her first solo tour. This figure does not include her overseas tours. She has become a big star in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland, and is building in continental Europe.
Clay did a solo domestic tour in 2005, grossing $7.1 million.
Although my personal favorite of the AI alumni is Kelly Clarkson, Josh Gracin has the best story of them all. As fans of the show will remember, he was in the Marines during his stint on AI. Afterwards, he went back, finished his commitment to the Marines, then moved his family to Nashville where he has become one of the top new Country artists largely on his own without any help from the AI machinery.
Finally, so far (and to the best of my knowledge) only three former AI alumni have gone to Iraq to entertain our troops. They are Kelly Clarkson, Diana DeGarmo and Josh Gracin.
Josh Set To Open for Trace Adkins
Country giant Trace Adkins will kick off 2006 with his Honky Tonk Badonkadonk Tour, and Josh Gracin will be the opening act on the tour. This will be Josh's first big tour (most new artists start out opening for established acts), and we wish him every success.
Carrie Underwood will be touring later this year as the opening act for a big established star. Rumor is that it might be with Keith Urban, but nothing firm has been announced.