Music

Albums: Singles:

Movies: The Scorned (2005), as a singer

Television: Fear Factor, NBC, 2005, the “Reality TV Stars” episode Battle of the Network Reality Stars, Bravo, 2005 Kill Reality, E!

Theater:

Awards:

Notable Info:

Star Direction: Questionable

12/31/2005 11:29:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|5th Place, Year Two. A favorite in the second season, whose unfortunate claim to fame was a dead-on imitation of Whitney Houston. She did parlay her AI fame into an acting career, and was a principal player in the theatrical adaptation of E. Lynn Harris’ Not a Day Goes By. Music Albums: Singles: Movies: Television: Theater: Not a Day Goes By, touring production (2004) Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Stopped|W|P|113609350403840996|W|P|Trenyce|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 11:27:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Year Two, 6th place. She looked the part, and survived to the top 12, even without much in the way of singing talent. She did translate her fame into two bit parts in two B movies, but did manage to make eek out a high-powered political marriage from it all! Next stop, D.C.? Music Albums: Singles: Movies: Down and Derby (2005), as Marilyn Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy (2003) Television: Theater: Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: It’s probably already over; apparently, she’s just married the son of the Lt. Governor of Utah. Official Site|W|P|113609332833448163|W|P|Carmen Rasmusen|W|P|admin@queertexan.com1/17/2006 01:10:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|Wow! She's my age and I can't even think about being married so soon. I wish her and her new husband all the happieness in the world and that their marriage lasts a long time. I guess this puts a damper on all the fantasies of "Clarmen" fans huh? ha ha! Too bad Clay!12/31/2005 11:25:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|6th place, Year One. A favorite of the judges, she didn’t translate to fans in the final weeks. At one time, it was rumored she had a contract to record, but nothing has come of it. Music Albums: Singles: Movies: Television: Currently: a correspondent, the TV Guide Channel CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, (2003) one episode Theater: Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Down|W|P|113609321350951792|W|P|Christina Christian|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 11:23:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|7th place, Year One. The girl who dressed herself in scarves and torn clothing, with illusions of grandeur concerning a future clothing line. Music Albums: Singles: Movies: Television: That 70’s Show, Fox (2003), one episode The Surreal Life, VH1, (2004) co-star Theater: Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Nil|W|P|113609308288182686|W|P|Ryan Starr|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 11:20:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Year Three, 8th place. Possibly the most ambitious singer that year, a trait that moved one of the least talented singers quite far in the show – as much as one could go on enthusiasm and likeability alone. Music Albums: Singles: It’s Christmas (2005), featured on the Now! Christmas 2 album Turn to Grey (2005) Movies: Television: Theater: Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Nowhere fast. Official Site|W|P|113609295700454333|W|P|Jon Peter Lewis|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 11:17:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Year Three, 9th place. The girl from Hawaii, of partial Filipino descent, with a voice of a hip-hop diva. Great voice at times, but often seemed not mature enough. It was good enough for a Motown contract, with a single out, and an album in the works. Music Albums: Singles: Hangin’ On (2005) Movies: Television: Theater: Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Sputtering Official Site|W|P|113609274753875489|W|P|Camile Velasco|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 11:14:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Year Three, 10th place. Although she wasn’t the most popular on the show, or even in the finals, she has made a showbiz career out of her appearance, in touring theater. Music Albums: Singles: Movies: Television: Theater: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2005), touring, as the Narrator Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Decent, for theater|W|P|113609259725254448|W|P|Amy Adams|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 11:11:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Year Two, 10th place Music Albums: Singles: Movies: Television: Meow TV (2003), Oxygen, a judge Theater: Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Nil|W|P|113609237258859834|W|P|Julia DeMato|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 11:08:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Year Two, 11th place. Small guy with a big smile and a sweet voice, but not good enough for the judges or viewers in the end. Music Albums: Charles Grigsby (2005), sales figures unknown Singles: Movies: Television: Theater: Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Nowhere fast Official Site|W|P|113609216057931260|W|P|Charles Grigsby|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 10:55:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Year Four, 11th place. Mikalah, one of the show’s youngest singers, had a powerful voice, but one that she frequently lost control of. She would either bowl the judges over, or utterly disappoint them – usually the latter. She did get an additional TV appearance out of the experience – on Living with Fran, her TV star look-a-like! Music Albums: Singles: Movies: Television: Living with Fran (2005) the WB, one episode, as Cousin Brianna Theater: Awards: Notable Info: The first member of Year Four without a major contract to make it on the Ladder! Star Direction: Nowhere|W|P|113609205798086453|W|P|Mikalah Gordon|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 10:49:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Year Two, 12th place Music Albums: Vanessa (year and sales unknown) Singles: Movies: Television: Theater: Hairspray, Toronto Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Down|W|P|113609117554038562|W|P|Vanessa Olivarez|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 10:45:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Corey Clark Year Two, removed due to an old, undisclosed arrest record. Corey Clark is the Monica Lewinsky of American Idol – well, sort of. We’re not really sure if any of the romance claims between him and Paula were true (hey, I think we know how she can drool), but if they were – it’s pretty safe to say that in the least, this young man grossly exaggerated. But, yeah – he probably lied as well. Like Rasmusen of the same year, he had the hip-hop look, and even some of the moves, and had the “it” factor (the all important charismatic stage presence), but his voice was often weak and immature. It’s hard to say, but he might not have lasted much longer anyway. Music Albums: Corey Clark (2005), dismal US sales Singles: Movies: Television: Theater: Awards: Notable Info: Wrote a book about his affair, and aired the laundry on Primetime Live. Paula Abdul and Fox dismissed the charges, but . . . surprisingly, she didn’t sue. Star Direction: Dead . . . in the water Official Site|W|P|113609083588576183|W|P|Corey Clark|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 10:21:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Ashley Hartman Year Two, semi-finalist. Music: Movies: Mystic Blood: The Kindling, as Cheryl Abominable, as Karen Hurdberger Television: Quintuplets (2004), Fox, one episode The O.C. (2003), Fox, six episodes Theater: Awards: Notable Info: also, models Star Direction: mediocre, but it beats flipping burgers Official Site|W|P|113608955132804893|W|P|Ashley Hartman|W|P|admin@queertexan.com2/03/2006 06:48:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|Ashley Hartman is hot. She'll be a big star one day soon.12/31/2005 08:47:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Mario, upon winning a spot in the Year Four’s final 12, withdrew from the contest. Ever the diplomat, he’s refused to say why, but many have speculated that it’s due to the draconian contracts that the show’s producers allegedly make the finalists. He knew he might win, the story goes, and he knew he didn’t want that contract. Paula Abdul has recently said she thought he would have won. After several months, Mario was signed to a contract, with none other than J Records. Who knows what the future will hold . . . he might have won Year Four, and depending on the record that J Records promises they’ll release in ’06, he may not have needed to. Music Albums: Singles: Movies: Television: Theater: Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Hopeful|W|P|113617008761307157|W|P|Mario Vazquez|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 08:45:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Third season contestant, one of the “three divas” kicked out into seventh place instead of the bland crooner, John Stevens. Her removal created a storm of protest (she had earlier been placed in the bottom three with the eventual winner, Fantasia Barrino) over racist voting by the viewing public, although vote-splitting between the extraordinary quality and quantity of R&B singers that year may have also been a factor (if it was all racism, would Fantasia had won?). Jennifer is the biggest wildcard among all former Idol contestants, though, in that she was cast in the film production of Dreamgirls in the role of Effie White, beating Fantasia who was also seeking the role. If Dreamgirls does to Jennifer what it did for Jennifer Holiday, or what Selena did for Jennifer Lopez . . . she may have Kelly Clarkson peeing in her panties! Maybe there’ll be a good “Three Jennifer Omen” there! Music Albums: Singles: Movies: Dreamgirls (to be released) Television: Theater: Awards: Notable Info: Star Direction: Hopeful Official Site|W|P|113617004264233394|W|P|Jennifer Hudson|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/31/2005 08:43:00 PM|W|P|aexapo|W|P|Sixth place on Year Four; many people were surprised to see lesser talents remaining, such as Anthony Federov and Scott Savol. Maroulis, a former TV bit player, off-Broadway actor, and small-time band member, may not only transcend his bottom-feeding careers in the world of American Celebrity, but could be one of the most famous former contestants of all-time – if his new TV deal goes through. Kelsey Grammar’s production company, Grammnet, has sold the rights to a potential TV series starring Maroulis, and based on his family growing up, to ABC television. Music Albums: Singles: Movies: Television: Theater: Awards: Notable Info: His prior TV, broadway, and music work does not qualify for entry since it was performed before his time on American Idol Star Direction: Hopeful Official Site|W|P|113616995394302022|W|P|Constantine Maroulis|W|P|admin@queertexan.com12/30/2005 01:52:00 AM|W|P|aexapo|W|P| |W|P|113938517990359351|W|P|blogginggraphic|W|P|admin@queertexan.com