What became a national sensation back in 2002, "American Idol" may seem to have gone out of the blue this year-end season. But, lest you have overlooked the latest season's big winner, he is Nick Fradiani, the one who brought home the bacon last May 13, 2015.
While we imagine the big break of the new "American Idol" Season 14 winner, let's take a glimpse at the lives of our "American Idol" alumni to date, be they a winner, runner up, or a contestant.
Adam Lambert
Known for his rock star look, Adam Lambert has his own way of showing off his strength and talent in singing. His renditions of "Cryin'," "Tracks Of My Tears," "Mad World" and "Bohemian Rhapsody," among others, from his audition down to his last performance are a living proof that he, indeed, is a versatile singer.
His overall package as a performer and his peculiar charm when he belts out the high notes on stage attracted big time producers and managers in the industry which definitely served as a big break for him despite his lost to Kris Allen in the "American Idol" Season 8.
His challenging journey in "American Idol" back in 2009 has brought him to ultimate stardom the following year onwards as he topped in the album charts in 2012. He also had guestings on television series like "Pretty Little Liars" and in the hit musical series "Glee."
Leaving a popular mark on the show that showcased his singing prowess and gave birth to his prestigious career, Lambert has been joining "American Idol" as a special guest performer in a couple of "American Idol" seasons. The contestants and aspiring Idols were lucky enough to be imparted strategies and singing principles from no less than the Season 8 runner up when Lambert joined the show as a coach and a mentor during the 9th and 13th season of "American Idol."
Rumor has it that Lambert might take over Randy Jackson and be one of the judges come "American Idol" Season 15. But, his fun tours this 2015 made his schedule hectic that he may not make it to the next AI season.
Carrie Underwood
Who would have thought that this Broadcast Journalism college student would end up in the mainstream music industry as the "American Idol" Season 4 winner and not as a journalist in her generation?
Winning over Bo Bice, Underwood made her way to stardom as she established herself as a versatile balladeer and pop music singer in her hit songs "Jesus, Take the Wheel," "Before He Cheats," "Inside Your Heaven," and her popular rendition of "I'll Stand By You," among others. Her perfect vocals made her career thrive even a notch higher as her 2012 Blown Away Album honored her in the Grammy Awards. Then, she gave television acting a try when she joined the television production of the musical The Sound of Music in 2013. Her potentials as an actress invited a bunch of viewers to watch her perform on television not just as a singer but an actress as well.
Having been married to Mike Fisher on July 10, 2010, Carrie is now a happy wife and a mother to healthy, cute boy Isaiah whom she gave birth to in spring of 2015.
Kelly Clarkson
Taking home the title as the first "American Idol" in 2002 was truly "A Moment Like This" for her. That single took her to her peak of stardom when it became a hit song after her 'winning night.' The following year, Clarkson braved the dramatic turn of her career as she tried acting with her Runner Up, Justin Guarini in From Justin to Kelly film in 2003. A colorful career seemed to have overtaken her when she garnered two Grammy Awards for her "Breakaway" album which sold out more than 5 million copies in 2004.
In 2007, Clarkson ended her relationship with her longtime mentor Clive Davis but this did not grab her away from the limelight. Her "Stronger" single that depicts overcoming adversities was also a hit in 2011. She was also given the chance to share her expertise to "Duets" and "The Voice" aspiring singers in 2012.
Having both career and a happy life, Clarkson has become all that she can be. In 2013, she married Brandon Blackstock and they had their first child, River Rose, in 2014. She produced her own Annual Holiday Concert in December 2014 which aims to support charities in her locality.
