Top 20 'Idol' Contestants of All Time - 1: Kelly Clarkson
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- January
- 15
Duh.
I’ve seen a recent list rank “American Idol” Season 4 champ Carrie Underwood higher than Season 1 champ Kelly Clarkson, but I just don’t see why, other than to create some buzz.
Without the success of Kelly Clarkson—the George Washington of “American Idol”—no one might have ever heard of Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson or Clay Aiken. The show could have been canceled before their auditions had a star not emerged by Season 1’s end.
It’s not like you see someone on “The Apprentice” go on to become a Fortune 500 company CEO, or someone from “Survivor” hosting a show that continues to toss him/her into dangerous jungles (and, no, “The View” doesn’t count).
As far as pop culture goes, can you think of a more relevant reality TV star in history?
If you say Puck from “The Real World” or anyone from “The Hills,” just stop reading now. Assuming you can read.
It’s amazing enough that “American Idol,” a hit abroad but an unknown commodity in the U.S. in its first season, was able to attract someone of Clarkson’s talent; it’s fortunate that she was recognized as the season’s winner; it’s downright unbelievable that she would go on to become a viable pop star when the music industry seemed, at best, bemused by the show’s existence when it launched.
Even when Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This” single jumped in one week from No. 52 to No. 1—Billboard’s “biggest jump in the history of the chart” —and sold 236,000 copies, I was among those who believed Clarkson was a passing fad, that she had nothing else to offer. What affect could a mere reality show contestant have on the behemoth that was the music industry?
Then again, some critics were just as naive about the impact of the iPod.
At best, I can name about three singles for anyone else on this list. Clarkson’s got at least three No. 1 singles (”A Moment Like This,” “Since U Been Gone” and “Because of U”) and many others that are either charted or notable, including “Miss Independent,” “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” “Never Again,” “Breakaway,” “Walk Away,” “The Trouble With Love Is,” “Gone” and “Hear Me.”
Oh, and the native Texan can perform on “American Idol,” MTV, Vh1 or CMT without looking the slightest bit out of place.
Although Simon Cowell is a riot and the series format can be exciting, don’t underestimate the importance of Clarkson’s success on the show’s. Had she failed, Fox brass would have to keep assuring, “Wait, wait! We’ll actually find a star this year” without the audience having any faith that it could do so. Even when Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks or Jordin Sparks failed to sell a certain number of albums in a given amount of time, fans and producers could always point to Clarkson as the model for the contestant’s, and the show’s, performance.
Even if Underwood’s sold more records (10 million) in less time domestically, Clarkson’s reportedly sold 25 million overseas, which makes Clarkson more of a star worldwide. Plus, fair or unfair, Underwood’s label as a country artist hurts her credibility in mainstream Top 40 circles and markets like New York City—a rather large city not to have a country music radio station format.
Clarkson’s not without her foibles. There was that whole “From Justin to Kelly” thing. And her most recent album, tour and spat with Clive Davis sent her back to earth a bit. (Note to self: Never, ever, ever mess with The Clive.) But even if Clarkson never scores another hit, there’s not a person auditioning for “American Idol” who wouldn’t sign up for her career. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. Hell, Chris Daughtry even listed her as his favorite female artist on his “American Idol” audition form!
Long live the queen.
Also see:
– Top 20 ‘Idol’ Contestants of All Time – Epilogue-No. 2: Carrie Underwood
-No. 3: Chris Daughtry
-No. 4: Jennifer Hudson
-No. 5: Sanjaya Malakar
-No. 6: William Hung
-No. 7: Clay Aiken
-No. 8: Fantasia Barrino
-No. 9: Blake Lewis
-No. 10: Tamyra Gray
-No. 11: Jordin Sparks
-No. 12: Melinda Doolittle
-No. 13: Bo Bice
-No. 14: Elliott Yamin
-No. 15: Ruben Studdard
-No. 16: Katharine McPhee
-No. 17: Taylor Hicks
-No. 18: Diana DeGarmo
-No. 19: Frenchie Davis
-No. 20: Lisa Leuschner
-Top 20 intro and criteria/Honorable Mentions (Nos. 21-31)
(Photo by Ray Mickshaw/FOX.)
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pm by Chris Serico.
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Yay Kelly! She's my #1 as well.
I agree with much of your list. Thanks so much.
And long live Queen Kelly, she's #1 all the way!!!
FINALLY, someone who knows what they are talking about!! I have also seen some sites saying Kelly is #2 and Carrie is #1. And they are WAY wrong (the comments on their sites prove it lol) Don't get me wrong, Carrie is good, but not as good as Kelly. Let me put it this way…Carrie can sing, Kelly can SANG!(sing with an "A" lol)
Critics loved her third album, the spat with Clive is the reason it didn't do well.
She may be in a bit of a slump right now (thanks Clive)but that girl isn't leaving the spotlight anytime soon.
She is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, believe me, I was lucky enough to meet her. Plus, she is so humble which makes her that much more likable.
I'm glad Kelly is #1, she deserves it.
You are all right kelly does deserve number 1. She has the talent, and she set the bar for the rest!! She is really nice as well I had the chance to meet her also. I hear carrie underwood acts like she walks on water, and that doesnt really suprise me. I love me some kelly, and I am pretty sure I am going to marry her.lol
You Rock!
Chris BurkMenn
Thank you so much for recognizing the truth…when everyone said that Kelly snubbed American Idol, I couldn't believe it….yeah, she does want to move on a litte bit, but then again, who doesn't….they owe her just as much respect as she owes them…they discovered her, she discovered them….but, Carrie is good, but the other two rankings were ranked by this year's record sales more than anything…yeah, Kelly is in a slump, but mind you, she will return, and hopefully without shaving her head!
Finally someone that tells the truth!!! I love kelly, and being number 1 is what she deserves. Simon Cowell himself said a couple of times that she's the best american idol. I agree with everything you said about her. She has an amazing talent, and she's an amazing person, so humble and down to earth. And she's probably one fo the nicest celebrities out there. Go kelly!!!!
Kelly's voice is a voice that "lives". It has such a great connection with life and it takes an artist to have that. She's a real artist.
wow, i'd really love to meet those people who thinks that kelly is still number 1 despite the not so successful third album of hers..
and yes!finally!someone who said something sensible..carrie is also successful..but still kelly is number 1!no one can ever deny that fact..this is totally cool!
NOT NOT NOT NOT true in several respects. A Moment Like This took off because of SEASON 2. She was going NO WHERE not even with Miss Independent until Clay-Ruben stirred things up. Her performance on American Idol of this song in Season 2 sucked too. When it got airplay it soared. When Breakaway was overplayed ad nauseum Since You Been Gone came out and THAT is when Kelly got her recognition. Her fans hate on Clay and his fans because she wasn't well received on the Independent Tour with Clay. It was an arena tour because of HIM and his fans. He has had 7 or 8 successful tours and he is the only one to do so.
Sorry but A Moment Like This Did Not Peak when Season 2 started. Season One Ended in September of 2002 and A Moment Like This was released about three weeks later. Season 2 did not start until January of 2003. I am sorry I just have to keep the facts straight!
THEATRE SINGER – YOU ARE WRONG! WRONG! WRONER! AND WRONGEST!
You are in s dream world of wrong info….if you don't know the facts….means you are ill prepared big time.
Kelly's awesome! Love her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Claymates, gotta love them. They definitely are passionate about their boy. Delusional, but passionate all the same.
Kelly is a #1 class act all the way. She has the voice, the personality, the presence and the artistry to become a career artist, not just a flash in the pan. I hope I'll be listening to old and new music by Kelly Clarkson for many years to come.
I can't believe you honestly think that Clay has had more successful tours than Kelly…whatever…she has done like ten tours and all of them have been successful. And her career so took off before season two…Clay was never that recieved on the radio…the only thing he has really done is tour….he had that one single and that is it. Though Breakaway definitely was her breakout CD, she is still number one. She is the most versatile thus far, most recieved worldwide, not just in Nasheville thus far, and she is still going strong. One album that didn't go platinum fourteen times over doesn't maker her a bad artist…matter of fact, it didn't do so well because the record label did not support it and didn't want to make it sell…they just wanted to be right. And if you supposed that Clay Aiken was going to be number one, you are seriously naive, and a little bit in denial…
Nothing against Clay, but has he toured internationally? I think not.
At least you got #1 right. I honestly think Clay should be higher. Unlike some of the others have posted, I love both of them. I find it hilarious that the fans bicker and hate on each other and the artist where Clay and Kelly are still friends. Yeah, Clay doesn't get the recognition he deserves, right now, neither does Kelly, but the two of them have the best voices of all the Idols.
your right about kelly at #1, i dont know about sanjaya, id rather have fantasia and elliot yamin at 5 and 6 respectively. and theres no competition with kelly and carrie underwood. carrie being stuck in the country genre hurts a bit because its not recognized globally as mainstream artists like kelly. And just who gets endorsed by Vitamin water? you know who im talking about!