Even those who have won the title of “American Idol” often struggle to top the charts.
This may be because DeWyze is now stepping behind the scenes to write future hit songs.
In 2017, DeWyze wassigned to the publishing company SONGS.
“I felt like SONGS was the place I belonged.”
Her debut albumdidn’t sell as well as expectedand things have not improved much since its release.
Caleb Johnson
Caleb Johnson’sAmerican Idolcareerwas a rocky one.
He auditioned for the show in 2011 and 2012 but failed to make it into the final rounds.
Johnson’s success was short-lived, however.
What’s the point of doing it if the [label] isn’t going to do anything?"
After leaving Interscope, Johnsoncrowd-funded his second album, an EP that was released in 2016.
Nick Fradiani
Nick Fradiani’s Season 14 win came as a shock.
Fradiani himselfthought he was an “underdog,“tellingEW,“Nobody had me pegged as the winner.
I wasn’t doing anything that was really impressing people.
Then something clicked the last six weeks or so.
I just got hot at the right time.”
Despite his doubts, Fradiani beat Clark Beckham, who was favored to win the competition.
His luck ended there, though, and Fradiani is still struggling to hit the big time.
Early in 2017, the singerleft Big Machine Records.
“It just wasn’t the right fit,” he toldBillboard.
“I couldn’t be more happy.
It needed to happen, and I was hoping for it.”
These days, he’s focusing onrecording his own songsand recently released an EP.
“I’m not obsessing over record sales anymore,“Fradiani toldDigital Journal.
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparkswas just 17when she beat 25 year-old Blake Lewis in Season 6.
The youngest-everAmerican Idoltopped the charts after her Season 6 win but has been notably quiet in recent years.
She has attempted to cross over from music into the film industry and hashad a few starring roles.
Aside from performing, Sparks has been focusing on healthy living.
“To me, health is wealth!”
David Cook
Season 7 ofAmerican Idolbrought us the battle of the Davids.
Fans were shocked when David Cookbeat the projected winner, 17-year-old wunderkind David Archuleta.
The singer iscurrently working on an EPand has been touring in preparation for its release.
It has beennearly a decadesince Cook’s win, but the singer remains humble and hard-working.
Harmon and runner-up La’Porsha Renae shared a “unique relationship” as theyboth come from Mississippi.
“The fact that it is happening means that somebody wants it to come back,” he said.
“And I think that’s great!”
Phillips ultimately won the title aftera record-breaking number of votes.
He’s not letting his legal battles keep him from making music, though.
“I’ve actually got this new record done, basically,” he said.
I’m really excited about this new music.
I draw a lot of inspiration from that so I’m really excited about getting it out.”
Hicks, however, proved Cowell wrong, beating Katharine McPhee for the Season 5 title.
Since then, the singer has been pretty successful just not in the music industry.
The singer-turned-restaurateurhosts a food show calledState Plateon INSP.
“If anything, I think a winner should be, personally.
If they were going to have a judge that’s from the show…
I would feel like a winner would be the best suited.”
Ruben Studdard
The 2003 rivalry betweenRuben Studdardand Clay Aiken was one for the books.
Studdard managed to clinch the titleby a narrow marginof less than one percent.
Despite his early success, Studdard’s fame didn’t last.
After dwindling record sales, he was dropped from his label in 2007.
“Singing will be there.
Being here for four months isn’t going to kill my career.
If four months kills my career, then I don’t have a career.”
It turns out those were famous last words.
The appearance may not have killed his career, but Studdard has been struggling to remain in the limelight.
Hehas only released one albumsince he appeared on the show.
Fame is fickle
Show business is hard.
Let’s hope that things change when the re-boot of the showhits the airfor the 2017-2018 season.
Maybe the next crop of winners will have better success than their predecessors.
If nothing else, though, they will be sure to get their 15 minutes of fame.
