Better off a Castoff: On Not Winning American Idol

For starters, I don't watch the show (after the auditions are done). For the most part, it really doesn't interest me. Some of the remakes are terrible. So WHY if I don't watch the show, why am I going to blog on it? It's funny because those who have not won have been the most successful. History seems to back me on this so I'll explain why winning American Idol could be more of a curse if your name isn't Kelly Clarkson (Season #1) or Carrie Underwood (#4). I'll exempt everyone from Jordan Sparks forward (their books are still being written). One other tidbit I found out. Of the last 8 winner, 6 had connections to the southern part of the US (Chicago is represented by Glocken, Hudson and the most recent winner, Lee DeWyze).

Let's go to Season 2. Ruben Stoddard won that year but the Clay Aken Army felt otherwise. Sad thing is that neither guy have done anything post Idol. Stoddard had a nice run with a platinum record, a gold record and it all fell off afterwords. Aiken had his banner year in 2004 but after that, pretty marginal except for Christmas music. The two will tour together this summer.

Here's where the "curse" comes in, starting in Season 3. Fantasia won that year and she has faired much better off than the two guys I just mentioned. Some nice recordings, a lead role on Broadway's "The Color Purple" (a role she will now play on tour) , and a few high profile nominations. Now look at who didn't "beat" hear- Jennifer Hudson (yep, that one). Skip to Season 5, the year Taylor Hicks won. First album had some success, the other not so good (45,000 recorded sales). He was last seen (on Broadway) in a production of "Grease" as the Teen Angel. Kellie Pickler was also on that season and she's enjoyed a good career in Country music. The "one" rejected, that got sent home early- 2 albums, both platinum or higher. If you want to relive that experience, click the video below.



I couldn't find the full version but I do recall it was BAD:


The last 3 seasons I won't address because the books are still being written. Sparks looks promising. I haven't heard much about Sanjaya or Gina Glocksen (who now lives in the town where I attended college). The David's (Archuleta and the winner Cook) seem to have some promise since both have won several awards since their Idol days ended. Adam Lambert seems to be on the same path (to be truthful, I know more about Jack Lambert and Adam Archuleta). As for the most recent final two, come on folks!! It hasn't even been 24 hours. DeWyze was actually first discovered by guitarist Louis Svitek,  formerly of Zoetrope ("Life of Crime"), M.O.D. (first 3 records), & Ministry ("Psalm 69" through "Animositisomina"). DeWyze signed with Wuli Records, where Svitek is a partner. So if you don't win American Idol, you might be better off in the long run. I never thought I would associate speed/industrial metal with American Idol.