American Idol Season One - Where
Are They Now?
If you've watched American Idol in the past,
you may be wondering what has happened to the singers from American
Idol Season One. Here is a brief look at how some of the more
popular contestants have faired:
Top Ten Finalist Ejay Day
Ejay performed along with the other finalists on the 2002 U.S.
American Idol tour. He s sang at several events for boxing champ
Muhammad Ali and assisted in writing Raven-Symone s song Pure Love
for her Undeniable album. Currently, Ejay is performing on the
cruise ship Explorer of the Seas.
Top Ten Finalist Jim Verraros
Jim has been active in both music and acting since American Idol
ended. Jim recently released his album Rollercoaster, featuring the
dance hits I Want You and You re Getting Crazy. He starred in the
2004 film Eating Out and is set to reprise his role in Eating Out
2: Sloppy Seconds.
7th Place Ryan Starr
Despite finishing 7th, Ryan has been one of the busier contestants
from Season One. Her single My Religion peaked at #7 on the
American iTunes Top 100 and she plans to tour in 2006-2007. She
made guest appearances on several shows and also appeared in the
VH1 show The Surreal Life in 2004. She also starred in the movie
Ring of Darkness.
6th Place - Christina Christian
After American Idol, Christina guest starred on CSI: Crime Scene
Investigation and is now a correspondent for the TV Guide
Channel.
5th Place RJ Helton
RJ Helton made the top 10 as a wildcard choice. RJ signed with
Gospo-Centric Records and released an album, Real Life, in 2004,
which made the Billboard Christian Top 20.
4th Place Tamyra Gray
Tamyra had a reoccurring role in Boston Public that allowed her to
sing as well. She also guest starred on Half and Half, Las Vegas,
Tru Calling, What I Like About You, and All of Us.
She co-wrote and sang duet with winner Kelly Clarkson on You
Thought Wrong. She appeared on Season Three of American Idol and
co-wrote the song I Believe which was a number one hit for Fantasia
Barrino. She received writing credit for If You Were Mine and The
Lover in Me on Jessica Simpson s A Public Affair album.
In 2004, she took to the stage with the Broadway show Bombay
Dreams. She had a supporting role in 2005 s The Gospel and one song
on the movie s soundtrack.
3rd Place Nikki McKibbin
Nikki signed with 19 Management and RCA Records after her American
Idol success, although she is currently under contract with Astral
Records. Her single The Lie reached #1 on the Idol Waves online
radio station.
She has appeared on several reality shows, including Fear Factor
and Kill Reality and appeared in the made for television movie The
Scorned.
Runner-Up Justin Guarini
After coming in second, Justin starred in the unsuccessful movie
From Justin to Kelly with winner Kelly Clarkson. He secured a deal
with 19 Management and RCA, but he had to wait until Kelly s album
was released before he could work on any solo projects. Because of
this contractual obligation, he had to refuse a guest role on
Friends, a role in The Fast and Furious, and a modeling contract
for Tommy Hilfiger.
When his self-titled album did come out nine months after his
American Idol success in June 2003, it flopped and he was
eventually released from his contracts. His second album Stranger
Things Have Happened was released in late 2005.
He appeared on stage in the musical Good Vibrations at Vassar
College but declined to accept continue the role. He s been in
several independent films and is involved in many charities such as
Support Music Education, Habitat for Humanity, and Children s World
Organization.
Winner - Kelly Clarkson
The most successful of all the American Idol contestants, Kelly
signed with RCA and released two singles. A Moment Like This shot
to #1 on the Billboard charts. In 2003, she released her debut
album, Thankful, that certified double platinum, selling over 2
million copies. Her single Miss Independent reached the Billboard
Top 10 and earned her a Grammy nomination in 2004.
Her second album, Breakaway, produced four top 10 singles and she
won the Grammy award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best
Pop Vocal Album.
She s appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and
The View and she is scheduled to headline an HBO concert featuring
her greatest hits in February of 2007.
Libbles is a writer
for Reality TV Online
and is a fan ofAmerican
Idol. |