“No person knew that something would really come to fruition.”
It is practically been 20 years since “American Idol: The Seek for a Famous person” premiered and perpetually modified the fact present panorama. Within the 20 years since launching, the collection has, certainly, created a couple of superstars — though they ditched the actually lengthy title. And whereas there are many recognizable faces within the leisure trade that obtained their begin on “Idol,” not everybody from the present moved on within the music trade.
Wanting again on the present’s first season in honor of the upcoming twentieth anniversary, just a few of the contestants went on to make it massive in Hollywood. Whereas some tried to pursue their desires, others selected to go in a brand new path. However it doesn’t matter what they did, they will at all times be remembered for making tv historical past on “American Idol’s” first season.
Get all the small print on the season one contestants beneath…
1. Kelly Clarkson
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Kelly Clarkson has gone on to grow to be probably the most profitable “American Idol” alumni after profitable the present’s first season. She’s launched 9 studio albums and offered over 25 million albums to this point. And never solely has she discovered success as a musician however she’s additionally served as a coach on “The Voice,” lent her voice to motion pictures and launched her personal discuss present. Kelly says that on the time of the present’s premiere, she had no concept that it could change her life.
“All of us thought it was form of a joke. I imply, we did not assume it was gonna come of something. We had been the primary season of American Idol, so we had been there for that paycheck that SAG-AFTRA [Screen Actors Guild] provides you, to pay for some payments. No person knew that something would really come to fruition,” Kelly mentioned on “Hart to Coronary heart.”
2. Justin Guarini
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After “American Idol” wrapped, runner-up Justin Guarini signed with 19 Administration and scored a report cope with RCA. He launched his self-titled debut album in 2003 and whereas it did not fare properly, he started the early days of his profession as a Broadway star. Since then, he is launched a number of extra albums and appeared in quite a few productions together with “American Idol,” “Depraved,” and a contemporary model of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” He additionally penned the bestselling e book “Audition Secrets and techniques,” a information for aspiring actors and singers.
“My favourite reminiscence from my time on Idol must be my very first efficiency that I did stay on tv, as a result of we did not actually know if [the show] was going to be something. Nevertheless it felt so lovely, so fantastic, and it was only the start of 20 years of a tremendous [journey],” Justin advised ET.
3. Nikki McKibbin
After Nikki McKibbin got here in third place on “American Idol,” she signed a report cope with RCA Information however clashed with the label over her profession’s path. She lastly was in a position to launch her debut album “Unleashed” in 2007 below Astral Information. Nikki went on to seem on a number of different actuality reveals like “Worry Issue” and the sports activities competitors present “Battle of the Community Actuality Stars” and in 2008, sought assist for her alcohol and cocaine dependancy on “Celeb Rehab with Dr. Drew.” She later returned to her “American Idol” roots when she accompanied her 15-year-old son when he auditioned for the present in 2014.
Sadly, Nikki suffered a mind aneurysm in 2020 and handed shortly after.
4. Tamyra Grey
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Tamyra Grey’s fourth-place end allowed her to launch her personal profession within the leisure trade. Shortly after the present wrapped, she signed with “American Idol” creator Simon Fuller’s unbiased report label, 19 Information, and launched her first solo album, “The Dreamer.” Since then, Tamyra has discovered success as a songwriter and an actress, touchdown her first function in “Boston Public” in early 2003. She’s additionally appeared on Broadway on a number of events, together with a task in “Lease.” She most not too long ago starred in a number of native stage productions however spends a lot of her time elevating her kids with husband Sam Watters, together with their daughter born in 2021.
“Certainly one of my fondest recollections of being on the present? I will begin with being a part of the primary season and attending to be part of the ultimate episode of it. It was only a nice, nice blessing. Certainly one of my fondest recollections can be writing Fantasia’s single, the profitable single, and having the ability to give again in that sense,” Tamyra mentioned.
5. R.J. Helton
After “American Idol,” R.J. Helton went on to launch a Christian album titled “Actual Life” that peaked at #14 on the Billboard Christian Music chart. Through the years, R.J. took half in lots of “American Idol” associated occasions and excursions however by no means launched one other album. He is now dwelling his life out of the highlight.
6. Christina Christian
Since ending sixth on “American Idol,” Christina Christian, who now goes by Christina Crewe after tying the knot, has made a profession shift to working as a expertise guide. She now’s employed as a Senior Strategic Account Director.
7. Ryan Starr
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When Ryan Starr wrapped on “American Idol,” she signed a contract with RCA Information, nevertheless it ended up stalling her profession for greater than two years. Ryan later shared that she did not agree with the path the label needed to take her profession and it took an intense three-year authorized battle to launch her from her contract. From there, Ryan accepted internet hosting jobs on MTV and VH1 and launched her first single “My Faith,” which topped the US Billboard Scorching Digital Songs Chart. On the time, it offered probably the most unique single downloads in iTunes’s historical past. Regardless of the success of the track, Ryan seemingly did not launch any music after that, reportedly as a consequence of exclusivity conflicts with iTunes.
As a substitute, Ryan turned her consideration to different ventures, showing on the fact present “The Surreal Life,” modeling and dealing with songwriters all over the world. Ryan presently runs a trend weblog known as She is Ryan and shares her life on each Instagram and YouTube.
8. A.J. Gil
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Because the youngest contestant on the primary season of “Idol,” A.J. Gil went on to signal a five-year contract with New Artist Leisure and star in an unbiased movie titled “Vacation spot Fame.” When issues did not work out along with his supervisor, he moved to California and started to review audio engineering at Los Angeles Recording Faculty. He opened a recording studio and went on to launch two mixtapes.
Alongside the way in which, A.J. made the shift to Christian music, which he’s nonetheless engaged on as we speak. He’s now married with a daughter.
“My my, time does fly…It was all taking place so quick that I did not actually get a second to take all of it in and understand what was happening. It was a enjoyable journey! And these folks made it that rather more memorable. Thanks all,” A.J. wrote whereas reflecting on his time on the present.
9. Jim Verraros
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A yr after “American Idol” wrapped, Jim Verraros self-released his debut album, “Unsaid and Understood.” He went on to signal with Koch Information and re-released his debut below the title “Rollercoaster.” Jim, who got here out as homosexual shortly after his season ended, additionally rose to prominence within the LGBTQ neighborhood and starred within the homosexual comedy “Consuming Out” and its sequel “Consuming Out 2: Sloppy Seconds.” He appeared in a number of different movies and launched his second album “Do Not Disturb” in 2011, which he mentioned he needed to be his remaining album.
Jim tied the knot in late 2021 and presently works as a recruiter for Akamai Applied sciences. He nonetheless stays shut mates with Kelly Clarkson.
10. Ejay Day
After Ejay Day was eradicated from “American Idol” he returned to working as a performer on cruise ships. He went on to launch a number of singles, though he by no means dropped an album. Ejay does not share a lot on-line, however he seems to nonetheless be acting on cruise ships, in response to his YouTube channel.
