'Idol': Season One Roll Call
And so the story begins...
Remember when “American Idol” was a simple show about kids wanting to make it in the big leagues? Can you think back on a time when “Idol” was just a summer production to fill up television airtime like “Paradise Island” or “America’s Got Talent”? Or how about when you went to the movie theater after that first season ended to see “From Justin to Kelly?” Ahhh, it was a simpler time for "Idol" back in 2002, so what have the first graduating class been up to over the past six years?
Winner Kelly Clarkson "ballooned" (literally and figuratively) to the heights of stardom following her victory. But now the Texan native has returned to her country roots and joined forces with superstar Reba McEntire. The ladies continue their “2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour” in September and they will be visiting New York in November.
I spotted runner-up Justin Guarini at the Top 12 party on Los Angeles a few months ago and he was so busy eating at the buffet that it was hard to get his attention. Someone get that man a job, he’s literally starving! Fortunately for Justin, he just finished a stint co-hosting “Idol Wrap” for “American Idol” Season Seven.
Pink-haired Nikki McKibbin came in third, but the original “AI” rocker put out two albums and claims she got into a fist fight with reality super villain Omarosa.
Tamyra Gray, who placed fourth¸ got married to Color Me Badd singer Sam Watters in September of 2006 and recently completed a run in Broadway’s “Rent.”
Fifth place finisher RJ Helton came out of the closet.
Ryan Starr came in seventh place on “AI,” but she was voted sexiest "Idol" ever and will be featured in an upcoming reality show on the Fox reality Channel called “Gimmie My Reality Show” where she is set to compete against other reality star rejects.
Ejay Day came in tenth place and is living the “American Idol” dream, singing on the cruise ship the MS Voyager of the Seas. - Melissa Jane Kronfeld
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'Idol': Season Two Roll Call
It was the year 2003, or to "Idol"-addicts, it was the highly anticipated Season Two of “American Idol.” It was the year of the scandal as Corey Clark claimed he had an affair with judge Paula Abdul, although Fox later debunked this, and winner Ruben Studdard was busted for taking money to promote a clothing company while he was performing for millions of viewers each week, garnering an untold amount of publicity for the "205" jerseys...
Winner Ruben Studdard got married and was divorced by his record label. He made a return to “Idol” when his track “Celebrate Me Home” was chosen as the farewell song for the Season Seven contestants. He later performed during the first night of the two-night season finale.
Runner-up Clay Aiken went on to have one of the largest careers in “Idol” history and has successfully released numerous albums, established himself as an actor on Broadway (see him now in “Spamalot” until January) and even found time to artificially inseminate a 50 year old record producer, his "baby mama" Jaymes Foster (ironic she has a man’s name). Aiken and his zillions of “Claymates” (or as we call them, fans) just recently welcomed his new baby - Parker - into the world. No word yet if Parker has a record deal, modeling contract, or therapist.
Kimberley Locke, who finished third, joined the cast of VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club" and began dating the Drill Sargent from the same program. She never really got fit, but that's probably because she was the "teacher's pet."
Sixth place’s Carmen Rassmusen got married in 2005 and is expecting a child by Christmas.
Kimberley Caldwell finished in a pitiful seventh place, but she landed the heart of Season Seven’s winner David Cook, which remains to this day, her real only claim to fame. Oh, and she hosts one of those "Idol" re-run shows on the TV Guide Channel.
Corey Clark was the only "Idol" disqualified from the Top 12 during the competition and so his ninth place finish was nothing to be proud of. Corey was last heard from when he was arrested for drugs in Arkansas back in 2007. - Melissa Jane Kronfeld
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'Idol': Season Three Roll Call
Season Three was the year of the wild card and was the season with the most votes ever by television viewers (65 million) to crown an “American Idol” winner (Fantasia) - until three years later during Season Six.
Fantasia Barrino won “AI” and went on to have a successful acting career. Not only did she star in “The Color Purple” on Broadway, but she was tapped by Oprah Winfrey to play the lead role (first played by Oprah, herself) when the musical hits the big screen as a movie.
Runner-up Diana DeGarmo also found her voice on the Great White Way, starring in “Hairspray,” “Brooklyn: The Musical” and in the upcoming “Godspell.”
Coming in at seventh place was Jennifer Hudson who went on to win an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and a SAG for her role in Beyonce's “Dreamgirls.” Hudson followed that up with a role in the highly anticipated “Sex In The City” movie. She has two more films and her debut album in the works.
Jon Peter Lewis placed eighth in “AI” but he came in first in our hearts. JPL stopped by the New York Post office in New York City to tell us what he is up to first hand. His new album “Break The Silence” was released this summer. Check out how his visit went (I still have two autographed CDs left!)
Matt Rodgers placed second to last - ouch - but now he's got his own television show on Discovery called "Really Big Things," kind of like him. - Melissa Jane Kronfeld
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'Idol': Season Four Roll Call
Season Four redefined country music as "Idol" ended in a ***** fight for the biggest hair and the loudest twang.
Winner Carrie Underwood is officially the most successful "Idol" ever (credit goes out to Simon for calling it waaaaaay in advance). But she quickly succumbed to the world of tabloid fodder when she began to consort with the likes of Quarterback Tony Romo (aka Mr. Jessica Simpson) and Chace Crawford (aka Mr. Ed Westwick).
Runner-up Bo "My Hair Is Way Too Long" Bice, got married and popped out two kids.
Number three Vonzell Solomon brought a gun to the airport and was arrested. To her credit she did have a carrying license for the firearm in Florida, just not for the Miami Airport.
Anthony Federov, who came in fourth, had a successful run in the longest running off-Broadway play ever, "The Fantasticks."
Constantine Maroulis came in sixth, but used his "bold and beautiful" looks to land a reoccurring role in a popular daytime soap. He also had a role in the Broadway musical "The Wedding Singer."
Lucky number seven, Anwar Robinson, was cast to the world tour of Broadway's "Rent."
Idol bad girl, Jessica Sierra, came in tenth but she managed to turn that meager showing into a sex tape, a drug addiction, a stint in prison, a rehab reality show, another stint in prison and a miscarriage. And who said "Idol" isn't a launching pad for something greater? - Melissa Jane Kronfeld
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'Idol': Season Five Roll Call
Season Five was the year that proved you don't have to win "Idol" to make it really, really big. Some of the most popular "Idol" personalities in the show’s history made their debut during the show's Fifth Season.
Winner Taylor Hicks is now the "Teen Angel" in the Broadway production of "Greece." I saw Taylor this summer and he we talked about his love for the Season Seven "Davids." Rumor has it that the "Soul Patrol" has a new album coming out before the end of the year.
Runner-up Katherine McPhee got married, became an advocate for girls with bulimia (which she claimed she battled), signed a deal to be a spokeswoman for Neutrogena and can now be seen in the new Anna Faris movie, "House Bunny." She is releasing an album in the spring of 2009.
Third place Kosher "Idol" Elliot Yamin has become a spokesperson for Diabetes, which he, unfortunately, battles every day. His much beloved mom and biggest fan recently passed away, but Elliot is expecting to release an album in the fall.
Chris Daughtry redefined "Idol", creating a place for rock over pop and paving the way for Season Seven winner David Cook. He put together a band, starting wearing black guy-liner around his eyes (a la Pete Wentz) and was nominated for a bunch of Grammy's (which he didn't win).
Unwed teen, and the number five contestant, Paris "Princess P" Bennett is preggers, although she won't divulge the deets about the baby daddy. She has her second album - less pop, more jazz - coming out in September.
Seventh place's Ace Young guest starred on Fox's "Bones" and released a new album this summer. He was also nominated for a songwriting Grammy. He is still smoking hot.
Crooner Bucky Convington placed eighth in the competition. Since then, he has divorced his wife and moved in with his identical twin brother. Who said two 'ain't better then one? Bucky will be the biggest feature ever at the Illinois Grundy County Corn festival this summer.
Lisa Tucker came in tenth but found a role in Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101" starring disgraced tween star Jamie-Lynn Spears.
Kevin "Chicken Little" Covais is now starring in the film "College" and has a role in the upcoming Lindsey Lohan flick "Labor Pains." I spoke with Kevin this summer who said he loves working in the film industry (since we all know he couldn't make in the music one) and is having a great time on set. Kevin came in eleventh place, but he's certainly moved up in the world since then! - Melissa Jane Kronfeld
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'Idol': Season Six Roll Call
Season Six was the year that pop returned to "AI" in a big way.
"Idol" fans were also introduced to their first viable beat-boxing contestant, opening even more avenues for diversification within the competition's ranks.
Jordin Sparks has had a powerhouse debut as the new "Idol." With a highly successful album (which features a duet with the R&B sensation Chris Brown), a tour with Alicia Keyes and Jesse McCartney and the lead role in the remake of Irene Cara's "Sparkle," Jordin is on top of the world. I spoke with her this summer and she told me with everything going on in her life, her schedule is unbelievably "crazy."
Beatboxing Blake Lewis came in second and quickly released an album. Then he fell off the map, and fell out with his record label who dumped him not long after his album was released.
Lakisha Jones placed fourth and was a featured voice coach on MTV's "Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods."
Number six, Phil Stacey, put out an album, but when I asked his manager back in April if he could stop by the New York Post office while he was promoting it in the city, I was told Phil was too busy! Since he only sold 30,000 copies I wonder what he spent all that time in New York doing.
Sanjaya Malakar, who came in seventh, filmed a Nationwide Commercial (a la Kevin Federline; remember "Life Comes At You Fast...?") and moved to New York City (so did his hot sister). Welcome home, Sanjaya!
Haley "I Got Legs" Scarnato placed eighth and since then she broke up with her finance while she was on tour. I guess she was struck by her newfound stardom!
Pierced punk Gina Glockson came in ninth place and now is living it up in LA and partying with the likes of Season Four's Constantine (we all shared a few smokes and some champagne at the Season Seven Top 12 party). She also got engaged to her long time boyfriend Joe.
Chris Sligh placed tenth and is now a popular contemporary Christian artist (both his parents are missionaries).
Brandon Rogers came in dead last, but he did get to appear with Ace Young on Fox's "Bones." - Melissa Jane Kronfeld
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