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American Idol: Second Place Finishers: Where Are They Now?
#174 - 0--LindaK--American Idol: Second Place Finishers: Where Are They Now?--2007-05-21 07:09:36
#Whoever does not win this week will join the following contestants in Idol history who finished as runners up. These past Idols are still winners, and in some cases, have done better than the ones with the title. As always, if I’ve omitted anything significant, please email me or comment under the article and I will add the information.
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Season 1: Justin Guarini
In my opinion, Justin got a raw deal in many ways, but he is rebounding and doing well. After Idol, Justin signed with 19 Management and RCA. According to the American Idol contract, Justin had to refuse any deals until 3 months after Kelly’s cd. This restriction was changed for the following seasons. Justin had to turn down a guest role on Friends, the emcee role in Broadway’s Cabaret, a starring role in the TV series The Fast and the Furious, recording the soundtrack for a film, and modeling for Tommy Hilfiger.
His cd was released on June 10, 2003. Unfortunately, the timing was poor. Season 2’s top finishers, Clay and Ruben, also released singles the same day, and the movie “From Justin to Kelly” was released 10 days later and received poor reviews. There were complaints that Justin’s cd was not promoted well. Justin was dropped by RCA, supposedly due to poor cd sales of 143,000, and he broke from 19 Management.
In 2004, Justin was in the New York Stage and Film/Vassar Powerhouse Theater show “Good Vibrations”. His performance included singing, dancing, acting, and playing guitar. He did well, and received an offer to continue the role in the original Broadway production. Justin declined. He has acted in independent films including a science fiction film ‘The Unknown: Frankie The Squirrel, Mafioso II: The Son’, and the short film ‘Tilt-a-Whirl’ for the Dances With Films Film Festival. He has been on television in a musical spoof of movie making for AMC's FilmFakers, and as a guest host for VH1's Top 20 Countdown, the Oprah Show, the Tonight Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Teen Choice Awards, and Fox’s ‘Run Of The House’, among others.
Justin’s second cd was called “Stranger Things Have Happened”, and was independently released on December 6, 2005 through his own production company, Justice Entertainment, Ltd.. Justin was a co-producer on this cd. This is a 10 song jazz cd featuring a fresh take on known standards, with well known LA musicians. Justin described the album as "a 100% independent project, representing six months of experimentation, growth, and a new-found love for the art and style of jazz." In March 2006 American Idol Extra did a feature on Justin showing him in the recording studio recording/producing this cd, and commenting on his music and his own production company.
In March-April 2006, Justin reported that he was working on his third cd, with writers/producers with new label 3:AM Music. Justin described this cd as more mainstream, with a mix of jazz, R&B, soul, funk, and "sprinkle of hip-hop all rolled into one". Release of a single and a tour is planned when the cd is finished. Justin has also become partners with the digital music service BurnLounge, and was at its launch convention in June of 2006. In April 2007, Justin unveiled a teaser for the song "Eventually", co-written with United Kingdom writer/producer Peter "Boxsta" Martin.
Wikipedia also notes that Justin has done projects with other artists. He is a featured vocalist on “Foreign Shores” which is a jazz/fusion cd, by David Hughes, the bassist for jazz pianist David Benoit. He composed music for the Hymn “Did You Know That I Know Your Journey” by HH Gayuna Cealo. Justin performed the Hymn in Japan in October, 2005, and it was released in 2006. Proceeds went to Foundation for Global Harmony, which does child oriented peace work. Justin also composed the music and lyrics, and recorded the song “Everlasting” for a documentary called “Project Everlasting”, which was released in August 2006 and was on “The Today Show”. The title track from “Stranger Things Have Happened” is used in the documentary.
Justin has been a national spokesperson for Support Music Education since 2004, speaking and performing at events including the annual NAACP Leadership 500 Summit to support the importance of music education in schools. On March 9, 2005, he was part of a delegation that met with Congress, and later sang and emceed at a private gala concert for Congress, their families, and staff. On January 21, 2006, he received the NAMM "Music for Life" Award for his work in support of music education. According to the American Music Conference, "the NAMM Music for Life Award, created in 1990, “recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals who play a significant role in promoting music education in the nation's schools and whose dedication to music and music education serves as an inspiration to others."
Justin also participates in raising money for charities such as Habitat for Humanity, Rockers on Broadway, Broadway's Kitchen Sink, and various children's hospitals across the country.
Recent appearances include ManiaTV’s “U Pick Em” and “Too Short for Hollywood” in 2006, and the TV Guide Channel also in 2006. In 2007, Justin signed as a correspondent and co host for “Idol Chat” and “Idol Tonight”. He also comments on shows such as the “Today Show”, “MSNBC”, “Fox News Channel”, “Style Channel” and “Comcast”.
There is a current contest where you submit a video of yourself drinking tea in an unusual way,
http://www.teausa.org/calmasutra/, and one of the prizes is an all expense paid trip to New York City to appear live on the “CBS Early Show” on June 4, 2007, with Justin.
According to his myspace,
http://www.myspace.com/justinguarini, upcoming appearances include May 21 Idol Tonight; May 22 Idol Tonight AI Finale PreShow; May 23 Idol Tonight; May 24 Idol Chat; May 27 Fox News Sunday; June 2 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; July 4 Silver Springs, Florida; July 17 Los Angeles, CA; July 21 Flint, Michigan; July 28 Westerly, Rhode Island; and August 4 Ridgefield, Washington.
Justin is set to star in an indie romantic comedy about a female race car driver this fall, called “Fast Girl”. Justin plays the role of Darryl K. Sands, a member of the Flying Lizards Professional Race Team and is the main character’s love interest. The movie is scheduled for release later this year. People Magazine states that Justin aspires to be behind the scenes.
Justin has a lot going on right now, and I wish him much success in these upcoming endeavors!
Season 2: Clay Aiken
The transformation from nerd to chic will go down as the ultimate American Idol makeover. That, in addition to his voice, continues to drive many a Claymate crazy even 4 years later.
On June 10, 2003, Clay released the single "Bridge Over Troubled Water". The B-side was “This Is the Night". This was RIAA certified platinum on July 15, 2003. It debuted at #1 on both the "Billboard Hot 100" and the Hot 100 Single Sales Chart, and was the fastest-selling single since Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" and the best-selling single of 2003. It was also the first CD single to go platinum since 2002.
Clay’s solo cd, “Measure of a Man” was released on October 13, 2003. It debuted at #1 on the "Billboard 200" and sold 613,000 copies in its first week. This made it the highest-selling debut for a solo artist in 10 years, and according to Wikipedia, the highest debut of any Idol. The cd was RIAA Double Platinum certified on November 17, 2003, and more than 2,750,000 cds have been sold. The single "Invisible" became a huge hit. Also in 2003, Clay won the Fan's Choice Award at the American Music Awards ceremony, and his CD single "This Is the Night/Bridge Over Troubled Water" won the Billboard award for the Best-selling Single of 2003.
During the winter of 2003, Clay was in Disney's Christmas Day Parade and The Nick At Nite Holiday Special, where special effects allowed him to sing an awesome duet of “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth” with Bing Crosby.
Clay and Kelly Clarkson, the Season 1 winner, joined forces for the "Independent Tour” where they alternated as headliners. Clay was also scheduled for a few summer tour dates, but demand was so high that he ended up doing 50 performances across the United States, in what became known as the "Not-a-Tour." Clay sang the song “Proud of Your Boy” for Disney’s Aladdin Special Edition DVD. They were the exclusive sponsor of Clay's Summer Concert Tour. Clay made a music video which is on the Aladdin Special Edition 2-Disc DVD. He also performed a duet on Kimberley Locke's debut cd “Without You” released in May 2004.
Clay’s 3rd tour of the year, “The Joyful Noise Tour”, had a Christmas theme and began in November, 2004. This tour was sponsored by Ronald McDonald House Charities, with a conductor and a 30-piece orchestra. In some cities, Aiken was supported by the local philharmonic or symphony, such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Local choirs from schools participated at each concert. "The Joyful Noise Tour" had sellouts or near-sellouts at every venue.
Also in November, Clay released “Merry Christmas With Love”, which set a new record for the fastest-selling holiday cd since 1991. The cd debuted at #4 on the "Billboard 200" and tied Céline Dion's record for the highest debut by a holiday album in the history of Billboard magazine. "Merry Christmas With Love" sold over 1,000,000 copies in 6 weeks, was the best-selling holiday album of 2004, and received RIAA Platinum certification on Jan. 6, 2005.
Clay also wrote a memoir called “Learning To Sing: Hearing the Music In Your Life”. This book debuted at #2 and made the New York Times Best Seller List.
In December 2004, Clay starred in his first TV special, “A Clay Aiken Christmas”, with guests Barry Manilow, Yolanda Adams, and Megan Mullally. He was also Executive Producer.
Clay made a guest appearance on the TV sitcom “Scrubs” in February 2005. He was also on Oprah to fulfill someone’s “Wildest Dreams", and appeared on an episode of Dr. Phil concerning bullying among teens. During the summer of 2005, Clay’s “Jukebox Tour," performed songs of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, favorites from “Measure of a Man”, and some new material.
In September 2005, Clay was a celebrity guest of designer Kenneth Cole during the Fashion Week shows in New York City. He was a guest reporter for The Insider later that month at the 2005 Emmy Awards. The Kenneth Cole outfit was then donated, along with other items worn by celebrities at the Emmys, to the Clothes Off Our Back charity auction. His tuxedo, cufflinks, and shoes sold for a combined total of $27,250. Clay returned to do more guest reporting segments on the show.
Clay’s 2nd Christmas tour, in November 2005, told the story of an older woman who lost the Christmas spirit and a young boy who helps her find it again. A cast of actors, dancers and back-up singers traveled with the tour, and members of local theatre groups performed in each venue for smaller non-speaking roles and crowd scenes. The tour opened in Vancouver, Canada, on November 2, and ended in Clearwater, Florida on December 30.
For many, the highlight of last year’s finale was Clay’s re-emergence with a new look but the same captivating voice. His third cd, “A Thousand Different Ways” was released on September 19 2006. This cd had 10 cover songs and 4 new ones. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard Chart. Clay was the 4
th artist ever to have his first 3 cds debut in the top 5 and scan over 200,000 in the first week.
Clay also had another cd, “All is Well”, which had 4 Christmas songs, and was released exclusively to Walmart on November 28, 2006. Clay did a third Christmas tour in 18 citites in the Midwest and on the East Coast, and ran from December 1 through December 23. He used local orchestras to support him and open the shows with seasonal music.
In 2007, Clay appeared on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Valentine’s Day special. On February 22, he co-hosted “The Morning Show” with Mike and Juliet.
Blender.com listed Clay as one of the hottest people in music.
Clay fans are looking forward to a 20 date tour this summer, called the “Symphony Tour” across the country. This will run from July 4 through August 19
th. Ticketmaster.com has the dates and tickets may be purchased there.
Clay’s foundation is called the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, and its goal is to integrate children with disabilities into the everyday environment of their non disabled peers. Clay has also done benefits and concerts for various causes including the 2004 Rosalynn Carter Benefit, the America's Promise Benefit, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS where he sung a duet with Heather Headley. He was one of the celebrity readers for the "Arthur Celebrity Audiobook Stories for Heroes Series," which benefits the BAF and other charities, and was the spokesman for the series. He was also a spokesperson for the 2004 Toys for Tots drive, and is an ambassador for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and UNICEF, to help ensure children everywhere obtain education. He went to the tsunami stricken Banda Aceh area in Indonesia in 2005 and northern Uganda. He also went to Kabul and Bamyan in Afghanistan in April, 2007 where he spent time with children in their classrooms. He participated in the NBC4 telethon, which raised over $10 million, and recorded public service announcements for South Asian tsunami relief. He also recorded a video to be used as a public service announcement to raise money for tsunami victims.
Clay appeared before the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs of the Committee on Appropriations He was the 2005 spokesperson for the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF drive.
In September, 2006 Clay was appointed to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. This committee advises the President and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on issues regarding programs and services for those with intellectual disabilities.
Clay was voted the Favorite Reality Star of 2003 by TV Guide readers, and “the most-loved reality star of all time” in a TV Guide poll in the summer of 2005. In February 2006 he was voted "Favorite American Idol" by People Magazine with 69% of the vote.
Any mention of Clay is not complete without mentioning his fans. Clay’s fans are known for their fervor and adament devotion, sometimes to the point of obsession.
Of all the idols in all six seasons, Clay is probably the most talked about one there is, and the one who has put up with the most controversy. I have left those controversies out of this article. I’m glad Clay has overcome all the obstacles and is still going strong. American Idol does produce winners, even if they finished the show in second place.
Season 3: Diana DeGarmo
Diana was the young girl with the big voice. Her rendition of “Don’t Cry Out Loud” remains one of my all time favorite Idol performances.
On June 29, 2004, Diana released a single "Dreams". It included "I Believe", which was co-written by Tamyra Gray, and a remake of “Don’t Cry Out Loud". "Dreams" debuted at #2 in record sales and went #1 on the Billboard US Singles Sales Chart.
On December 7, 2004, Diana released her debut cd “Blue Skies”. The first weeks sales were 47,000. The album came in at #52 in the Billboard chart. Her single "Emotional" peaked at #54 on the Mediabase Pop Chart. She toured independently in 2005 to support “Blue Skies”.
On September 17th, 2005, Diana received the Horizon Award at the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame Awards ceremony. The award recognizes Georgia artists on the path to successful and lengthy careers. In January, she was recognized by NAMM, The International Music Products Association, with the Music for Life Award for her advocacy on Capitol Hill for music and television in schools.
In November 2005, Diana played Maria at the American Musical Theatre in San Jose, in a production of West Side Story. She was Penny Pingleton in Hairspray on Broadway from February to May 14, 2006. She returned to the role from September 8, 2006 through February 11, 2007. Diana played the part of Brooklyn, and along with Melba Moore, headlined the 2006 national tour of Brooklyn, the Musical. This show is about a girl searching for her father. It ran from June through August. Diana also performed in a musical concert called "In Your Dreams," in early October 2006. This musical was supposed to be similar to “High School Musical”. Diana performed alongside some of her “Hairspray” co-stars, and other Broadway stars as well.
Diana spent the 2005 holiday season on tour in support of the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. She travelled to 7 countries in 7 days during a USO tour. Diana visited U.S. bases in the Middle East and eastern Africa and hosted holiday shows with comedian Reggie McFadden and country music singer Michael Peterson. They travelled with the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace.
Diana is currently working on her next cd. She began recording in 2005 and continued to record when time permitted, while working in “Hairspray”. Diana stated in interviews that her cd is taking a new direction: "I like to call it 'rop,' a lot of pop with a little R & B and some funk and dance." She has also stated that lyrically, the material would be both personal and general. She has also stated that her material will be original, except for one cover song.
According to
http://www.jeffcenter.org/help.htm, Diana will appear in a Help the Healing Concert – Benefit for the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund this fall. This event is to remember and honor the victims of the tragic events of April 16 at Virginia Tech.
I always liked Diana and I can’t wait to hear that her cd is complete.
Season 4: Bo Bice
Bo and possibly Constantine were the first rockers after Nikki to make it to the top 10 on American Idol. Because of his success, the way was paved for future contestants. In fact, Chris Daughtry has said "I told Bo that he is the reason that I auditioned. I always thought that it was a little cheesy and it was real pop-oriented and I didn't think that I would be able to be myself, but when I saw him, he came out here and did his rock thing and everybody accepted it and he got very far. I thought, 'You know what? There is nothing stopping me from doing it.'" Bucky Covington has been quoted as saying "Bo opened up a lot of doors for a lot of people. I think he did the show a lot of good by coming on. He did a heck of a job, and so far with his career he's doing a fine job ... and I thank him very much for it."
Before Idol, Bo did shows in the United States, the United Kingdom including Ireland, and Eastern Europe. He performed in nightclubs, both alone and in rock groups such as Purge, Blue Suede Nickel, and his current band Sugar Money. He also opened for Blackfoot and Warrant, and performed live and recorded with Johnny Neal, formerly of The Allman Brothers Band.
After Idol, Bo's first single was "Inside Your Heaven" with RCA records, released on June 21, 2005. The single debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The B-side was "Vehicle", with Richie Sambora. It was certified gold in July 2005. Bo was invited to the Bonnaroo Music Festival by Trey Anastasio (formerly of Phish). He sang with Willie Nelson at a Birmingham concert and was invited to perform at Farm Aid. Bo was also on Carlos Santana's 2005 album “All That I Am” on the song "Brown Skin Girl", which didn’t appear on his own solo cd.
Bo broke his foot during the Idol tour in Manchester, New Hampshire on July 31, 2005, but carried on with the tour. On August 18th he was rushed to the hospital for emergency intestinal surgery. The surgery was successful, but he had to miss several shows. During the time he was gone, fellow contestants Anwar, Nikko, Scott, Anthony and Constantine sang "Sweet Home Alabama" and wore Bo Bice T-shirts. Bo came back to the tour for the last 2 concerts in Syracuse, New York, September 10 and September 11, a benefit concert with proceeds going to the American Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Bo also hosted a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina in his home. Bo continued to have health problems and was re-admitted to the hospital for complications related to that August intestinal surgery, including additional surgery on October 5, 2006, forcing him to cancel his October tour dates.
On June 15, 2005, Bo married his long-time girlfriend Caroline. They have a son named Aidan Michael, who was born on September 24, 2005.
Bo's solo debut cd, “The Real Thing”, was released on December 13, 2005. It sold around 227,000 copies in its first week and opened at #4. “The Real Thing: had the seventh-highest opening for a debut cd by an Idol finalist. As Wikipedia points out, he is one of the non-winners, along with Clay, Josh Gracin, Kellie Pickler and Chris Daughtry, to have done well in sales. Bo's band SugarMoney appears with him on three tracks on The Real Thing’s DualDisc version: "Cinnamon & Novocaine," "Sinner In a Sin," and "Whiskey, Women & Time."
Bo’s television appearances since Idol include The Late Show with Jay Leno, The Billboard Music Awards, The Today Show, Regis and Kelly, The View, Ellen, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Tony Danza Show, the Radio Music Awards, and the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He was on VH1’s Big in 05 Awards, and the 2005 Billboard Awards.
Bo was honored last year at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Museum. They are displaying some of Bo’s clothing and memorabilia from his time on American Idol. Bo is excited and honored to be part of this.
Bo lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and continues to tour. He has appeared with Constantine and his band Pray for the Soul of Betty. In 2006, appearances included Mansfield, MA on Kiss 108 FM, Agawam, MA at Six Flags New England for the Summer Kick Off Concert, the 20th annual Mayfair Festival of the Arts along with Nick Lachey and the group Dirtie Blonde, the Cabaret Stage, Cedar Beach Park in Allentown, PA, Orlando, FL for Hard Rock Live, Atlantic City, New Jersey’s Trump Taj Mahal, Atlanta, GA. Tabernacle Star 94's Next Big Thing, Valdosta, GA at Wild Adventures Theme Park, Bessemer, Alabama, and San Diego, CA at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
My 10 year old son tells me that Bo was the guest host for “The Fairly OddParents” on May 19, 2006, on Nickelodeon, and Wikipedia confirms this.
Wikipedia also reports that on September 12, 2006, Bo released a cover of The Chambers Brothers 1968 smash hit, "Time Has Come Today," through various legal digital music download sites. This does not appear on "The Real Thing", but is the theme song for a new Monopoly commercial. It has been rumored to be Bo's new single and possibly a track on his second cd.
Bo sang the title song for the 2007 film “Blades of Glory”. He is represented by Strategic Artist Management, and Buddy Lee Attractions. Bo has been said that the goal for his second cd is for it to have more Bo, meaning more Southern rock and have more of a country influence.
According to his myspace,
http://www.myspace.com/bobice, upcoming shows include Indianapolis, Indiana on May 21; Ogden, Utah on May 24; Las Vegas, Nevada on May 25; Yuma, Arizona on May 26; Anaheim, California on May 29; West Hollywood, California on May 30; San Diego, California on May 31; Bakersfield, California on June 1; Tucson, Arizona on June 3; Odessa, Texas on June 7; and Dallas, Texas on June 9.
Season 5: Katharine McPhee
Thanks to Peisha McPhee for some of the following information.
Since Idol, Kat has been busy. She signed with 19 Recordings Limited and Sony BMG’s RCA Records after Idol. Her debut single, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/My Destiny” was released on June 27, 2006. “Rainbow” peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Destiny” peaked at #60. After 32 weeks, the single was #4 on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales Charts, and was second in 2006 only to Taylor’s “Do I Make You Proud”. “Rainbow” was #2 in United States sales for all of 2006, and #1 in Indonesia.
Kat appearanced on the Dr. Keith Ablow Show on September 18, 2006. She has also been on “Ellen”, “The Tonight Show”, “Jimmy Kimmel”, “The Today Show”, “The Early Show”, “Regis and Kelly”, and “Rachel Ray”. On December 2, 2006, she won VH1’s “Big in ’06 Awards” award for “Big ‘It’ Girl”. Kat sang at the Tournament of Roses Parade with Lisa Tucker on January 1, 2007. She had a cameo on the January 19 lonelygirl15 episode “Truth or Dare”. She played herself on “Ugly Betty” on February 1, and hosted TRL for the week of February 18-23. On the last day of that, she introduced the World Premiere of her first music video, for the single “Over It”. The video went to number 1 on both the TRL and VH1 top 20 countdown. Kat was named #2 on the 2007 FHM US 100 sexiest women in the world list, appeared on the “Tyra Banks” show on February 27, 2007, and was named #1 on AOL’s top 10 sexiest Idol contestants.
From June 9-11, Kat toured with Andrea Bocelli and performed in three of his US concerts.
On July 21, 2006, “Broadway World” announced that Kat was co producing Michael Albanese’s play “Red Herring”. The play will be part of the 10
th Annual New York International Fringe Festival.
Musically, Kat released her cd on January 30, 2007, and it sold 116,000 its first week, debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The first single, “Over It”, was a top 40 hit. Ads for “Love Story”, the next single, should begin on May 22.
According to
http://www.katharinemcphee.com/, upcoming events include Minneapolis, MN @ KDWB radio show on May 24; Allentown, PA @ WAEB radio show on May 25; New Haven, CT @ WKCI radio show on May 28; Atlanta, GA @ WSTR radio show on June 2; Sacramento, CA @ KDND radio show on June 9; and Kansas City, MO @ KMXV radio show on June 10.
Kat was named on People Magazines 100 Most Beautiful People of 2007 list.
Note to Readers:
The idols for next week’s article on the winners are: Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, and Taylor Hicks. If there is anything you would like included about any of them, please email me at andmeljar@aol.com. --comments-->0--34201--1
