There is a song titled “Everybody Loves a Winner,” and there is a lot of truth in those words. But it is also true that a first place finish is not mandatory for success.
Nowhere is that more evident than “American Idol.” In the show’s eight seasons, a number of first place finishers have gone on to major stardom, but so, too, have a surprisingly large number of finalists who placed further down the list.
A key example is Jennifer Hudson. She was one of “the divas” of Season 3. (Amiable host Ryan Seacrest gave the “diva” designation to Hudson, LaToya London and Fantasia).
Despite her talent and solid performances, Hudson ended up with a seventh place finish, much to the surprise of many viewers.
Fantasia ultimately won and, as expected, became a star, but Hudson landed a leading role in the film version of “Dreamgirls,” proved to be a strong actress and subsequently won an Academy Award in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category.
In addition, her debut album, “Jennifer Hudson,” was certified Gold and went on to earn a Grammy.
LaToya London has done well as a recording artist and stage actress, as has Diana DiGarmo. George Huff has also achieved a level of success, primarily doing gospel music.
RIGHT NOW, Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert is a red-hot attraction. The courageous, unpredictable, self-confident, colorful, gender-bending glam rock singer is also the subject of many conversations. No matter. Superstardom is a certainty. And even though talented and personable Kris Allen won the competition, the real winner was Adam Lambert.
Another sure bet for success from that season is teenaged rocker Allison Iraheta.
Season 5 was particularly fruitful. Taylor Hicks, the highly animated, prematurely gray, blue-eyed soul man most recently seen in the stage musical “Grease,” won, but he was up against a lot of formidable talent.
Chris Daughtry, with his band Daughtry, has become a major rock star. His debut album, “Daughtry,” went multi-Platinum and the band took home the coveted Best New Artist Grammy. Their latest album, “Leave This Town,” will reach the 500,000 Gold mark very soon.
ELLIOTT YAMIN, another White R&B singer, has had solid success with his two albums and is expected to be around for a long time. Same for perky Kellie Pickler, who was embraced instantly in the country music field. Bucky Cunnington was well received there as well.
Pop success beckoned for second place finisher Katherine McPhee and she answered the call. Meanwhile, Mandisa, the big lady with the big R&B voice who has been losing a lot of weight lately, has enjoyed substantial success on the charts. Her first release, in the gospel genre, was titled “True Beauty,” the second, “Freedom.”
Season 2 made winner Ruben Studdard — nicknamed “the Velvet Teddy Bear” by Gladys Knight — a star. But Clay Aiken, who placed an extremely close second, has had Platinum recording success and was recently on Broadway in the comedy “Monty Python’s”Spamalot.”
Third place winner Kimberley Locke has made a name for herself not only as a recording artist, but also as an official spokeswoman for plus-size women.
Meanwhile, Josh Gracin has had been successful in the country field.
THE SEASON 4 winner, beautiful Carrie Underwood, has won virtually every award available to a country artist. But the runner-up, the personable and talented Bo Bice, was the first “American Idol” contestant to make an impact with rock music. His following is solid.
Constantine Maroulis, another rocker, was also a big attraction that season. Since then he has done concerts and landed a series on stage roles, including “Rock of Ages” for which he won a Tony nomination.
Winner Jordin Sparks is talented and likable, but during Season 6, Melinda Doolittle was clearly the best singer. She was, in fact, incredible. For example, goose bumps were induced when Doolittle sang “My Funny Valentine.” It was a classic performance. However, she was just too mature to be the American Idol.
Her “rival” that season, LaKisha Jones, has been kept busy singing and acting, including a role on Broadway in “The Color Purple.”
Season 7 was “the season of the Davids” — winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta. Both have done very well and seem destined for lasting stardom. Archuleta was the better singer, but his youth was no doubt a major factor in Cook having the edge.
And we cannot leave out Tamyra Gray from Season 1. (Kelly Clarkson, who is almost a superstar, won that season.) Gray has repeatedly proven herself as a singer, actress (“Boston Public,” “Half and Half,” etc.) and songwriter. She composed “I Believe,” sung by Fantasia after she was crowned Season 3 winner.
Other finalists have had varying degrees of success as well, though not to the extent of those cited.
Clearly, being an “American Idol” finalist is a shortcut to success in the music industry, a fact noted by Berry Gordy when he addressed the Season 8 finalists when they visited the Motown Historical Museum in Detroit.
Many doors are opened to you, said LaToya London. You just have to be ready to walk through them and then work very hard to take full advantage of the opportunities.
As someone wise put it, there is plenty of room at the top. It’s the bottom that’s crowded.