Jose "Sway" Penala, a successful San Francisco contestant on American Idol 5, is no musical amateur, and that's okay. Several former contestants, including Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, and Vonzell Solomon, had recorded in studios before, but were no longer under a contract or management company -- a prerequisite when entering the contest.
So, what's different with Sway? According to Reality TV Magazine, he's a current member of a group called 6th Day, and currently under contract to a label called E-Real Records, and actually released an album after his audition! The question now is: is E-Real considered a "major" label, which would disqualify Sway from the competition?
More as the show unravels . . .|W|P|113875269035781546|W|P|Sway -- No Amateur|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
In the last 24 hours, the story about Clay Aiken's alleged tryst with a US serviceman have not only hit the supermarket tabloids, they're beginning to hit the mainstream press en masse. Most of the stories are no longer referring to it as an alleged event, but that Aiken is being outed -- the former Green Beret purportedly took and passed a lie detector test when selling his story to the National Enquirer. He also told the tabloid that he not only saved the washcloth, but the emails and text messages between him and the red-headed crooner. He also claimed that the sex started quickly, and was unprotected.|W|P|113846801689848180|W|P|Clay Under Fire|W|P|admin@queertexan.comDerrell and Terrell were on the morning show of Atlanta's WVEE-FM on January 23, where they revealed that they had been dumped from the show. According to host Frank Ski, the two were in a positive mood, singing in the studio and apologizing to American Idol fans for the mistakes they'd made.Listening to that radio interview were people from the So So Def record label -- and before they left the radio station, the two were offered a contract!|W|P|113846749093713367|W|P|Brittenum Twins Out On Bail, Getting Offers|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
The following article may contain links that some will view as lewd or objectionable in content. Follow the links at your own risk.Since American Idol made Clay Aiken a household name, people have been wondering and asking that question. They ask so much, that it’s nearly part of every biographical profile – including Wikipedia's. Rolling Stone magazine asked him the question directly in 2003, and he denied it, but that hasn’t stopped the stories and claims against his “straightness” that are starting to emerge in the mainstream media.
This year, a former
This is the tame version of what happened, and as was covered by the online version of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (yeah, it’s a real newspaper). The nastier version initially published by gossiper Billy Masters stated that Paulus also claimed that he could back his story with proof, namely the face cloth that Clay supposedly cleaned himself with after the encounter. Yeah . . . the Monica Lewinsky flashbacks are appropriate.
An earlier claim also made its rounds on the internet: that Clay had allegedly hired pornstar/escort Mario Cruz for a rendezvous, but the blog that initially made that claim is no longer up and running – only a remnant of the claim is left in a gawker.com article.
That’s it for the red and juicy, but there are the circumstantial claims, the “he-wouldn’t-do-that-if-he-were-straight” claims – and these are where you really begin to wonder. According to an article on realityblurred.com, Clay was a frequent persistent caller to openly gay Reichen Lehmkuhl (Amazing Race 4) while the latter was a housemate and cast member on Kill Reality, a pseudo-reality show on E! Television. Really! Now, if just that fact were true, how many straight men do you know who have gay “best-buds?” Friends – yeah, maybe – but, not phone-queens like the aforementioned article suggested.
And of course, there’s the one where he hired his very-gay personal hairdresser to be a dancer on one of his tours. So what, you ask? How many cosmetologists do you know that also happen to be professionally-trained dancers? Maybe in soap opera universe – but, on planet earth, it is still a strange coincidence. Obviously, he was given a big career break by Mr. Aiken – perhaps it was just out of friendship, and it quite possibly was just nothing more than that. For a straight self-proclaimed Christian, Mr. Aiken does have a lot of really close gay friends.
So, what does it all mean? It really doesn’t mean a whole lot – at least not to me. If Clay is, then there are really big financial reasons why he wouldn’t admit to it – the biggest reason being that his all-American mostly-white Christian fan base would abandon him immediately. He’d have to sing in karaoke bars to pay the rent, or teach special ed. I’m sure he prefers the lifestyle that he’s become accustomed to, so “either way,” I’m only surprised that some continue to wonder why Aiken’s answer to those questions would ever be anything other than “No.”
If their advice was asked for, I’m sure that many closeted gay music stars have explained to him just how to keep his secret life secret – even when the truth should obvious and apparent to everyone. But, I give too much credit where it is not due. Liberace, after all, was never officially gay until the day after he died.
If Clay is gay, then more power to him. If he’s not, then that’s okay, too. Being gay won’t make him evil, or sinful, a moral failure, etc., etc. – he’ll just be a human being like the rest of us. It doesn’t matter to me, but it does matter to a heck of a lot of people, and of all the shame that such a revelation could possibly bring to Mr. Aiken, the greatest shame of all should be to those people who would hate him for just being who he is – gay or straight.
|W|P|113842332672171575|W|P|The Oh! of "No" -- or, Why Clay Isn't Gay|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
|W|P|he such a fag! from a fag
In the second week of auditions, the show stopped in Greensboro, NC, and San Francisco. Sure, there was the now-famous "tiff" between Simon and the other two (he walked out), but the show snagged some contestants to send to Hollywood.
As usual, some mediocre singers were approved, a few not-so-bad one's nixed (like Richard Garland from the NC audition), and a few sent to H-town for reasons other than superstar vocal feats.
One reason that happened is because gimmicks seem to be really working this year. Although Simon rolled his eyes on one such attempt this week, and sent Lady Liberty out without a peep last week, it helped a certain military officer, Steven David, Jr., earn his ticket. The gimmick? Lay it on thick to Paula . . . and he did do so, veeerrrry heavily! Simon and Randy played along, especially when he asked Paula to dance with him. Paula whispered under her breath, "I'm not allowed to . . ." (Hmmm, was that a vague Corey Clark reference?), but the two pulled her out of her chair and into the arms of the eager contender. As they danced, Simon warned, "Don't get too close," another veiled remark about last year's controversy. After the audition (he got in, of course, despite an average voice), the judges all got the pleasure of meeting his wife. Paula was . . . well, disappointed.
An IdolsRising.com prediction: Each audition sent at least one extraordinary contestant to Hollywood, and none were more extraordinary than the NC contestant, Paris Bennett, and California's Katherine McPhee. I won't mince words, but I would be very surprised if both of them didn't make the finals. In fact, I'm predicting that they both will.|W|P|113834427195786659|W|P|Idol 5, Week 2: Wrap-up|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
The Bo Bice DietWhy is Bo losing weight? Bo talks about losing up to 35 lbs over the last several months since his time on American Idol 5. Reason for the weight loss, according to Starpulse News Blog that covered his Access Hollywood interview?
"Wow, yeah, I've lost a little bit of weight. That's what happens when you have to get gastrointestinal surgery*." (referring to his stomach illness over the last year)
Carrie’s CBSnews.com Interview
CBS’s news website interviewed Carrie Underwood, last year’s American Idol winner, last week. She’s full of good things to say about the show, a change considering how some winners have been distancing themselves, and says this about the new season:
"I watched the first episode! I'm looking forward to seeing when people get narrowed down. I know how nervous they all are. I think it's awesome a show can be on top for so long . . .”
Click HERE to view and listen to a clip from her interview last year on CBS’ The Early Show when she sang “Inside Your Heaven" following it’s release. (realplayer required)
Brittenum Twins Barred from
While Terrell and Derrell Brittenum may have wowed the judges in their American Idol audition, the producers always have the last word: and their word to the alleged lawbreakers is “Don’t come to
I auditioned with the “And I Am Tell You” in front of them*. The “Lady Marmalade” was a SONG that was REQUIRED BY THE PRODUCER, for us, "the contestants" to learn within an hour, to perform in front of Nigel, the producer, NOT RANDY SIMON AND PAULA, as they made it seem. Also, furthermore the auditions did not consist of "one day" of auditioning, there were 3 auditions previous to the audition leading to Randy, Simon, and Paula.*a reference to Randy, Paula, and Simon According to that article, a few other things seemed weird, such as the "Hollywood" ticketing of David Hoover, the bouncing, animal-loving, shoeless, tall guy. Reality TV Mag looks into it and discovers that David Hoover, aka Mr. Dubious, happens to sing a lot better than his performance on TV (maybe nerves?), and ponders as to whether or not the judges were aware of his previous work highlighted on his website (complete with CD samples). So, how much is real, and how much is fake? How much did they know, and when did they know it? As Arsenio used to say, it's just one of those things that make you go, "Hmmmmmmm!" Let the Senate sub-committee hearings begin!|W|P|113808796033875224|W|P|Just How "Real" are the Auditions?|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
IdolsRising.com's profile on Clay Aiken, season-two runner up, has finally been updated . . . thanks to the many Clay fans who insisted on it, and especially to Lauren, who alerted me to specifics to add. Click HERE to go directly to that link.
As I update each profile, Clay's profile will serve as the template for the updated, more info-packed articles. Be sure to add any information you want listed on your favorite idol under their profile! Check out our Profile Directory to locate your favorite Idol!|W|P|113807860518717756|W|P|Clay Aiken - Updated|W|P|admin@queertexan.com |W|P|Clay Aiken can go suck it bigtime, like he did with John Paulus.
Brittenum Twins Update
Year Five "Hollywood" bound contestants Derrell and Terrel Brittenum were re-joined Friday when Derrell, the until-then fugitive, turned himself in Friday related to charges of buying a car with a stolen identity. American Idol continues to refuse to state whether the brothers appear on any future episode of their hit show.
Their lawyer states that they had nothing to do with buying their car with someone else's credentials.
Sierra's Stalker
Jessica Sierra's stalker, Daniel Young - in jail without bond, saw another court appearance today. Young left 38 messages on Sierra's voice mail, many that made Sierra feel threatened. Jessica placed 10th among finalists in the fourth season of American Idol.|W|P|113805335790747759|W|P|Idol Justice: Brittenum, Sierra Stalker|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
Want more Carrie? Want LIVE Carrie? Well, you have to watch FOX TV this tomorrow (Sunday, 1/22/06) during the NFC Championship game where she'll perform the National Anthem. Check it out . . . the game starts 6:30/5:30 Eastern/Central standard time.|W|P|113786706138043826|W|P|Carrie Underwood "Torches" the NFC|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has blasted American Idol 5 for homophobic language, and is asking for a meeting with the show's producers. The reason: Simon asked one contestant to shave his beard and put on a dress (essentially calling him a "girl"), while Randy asked another if he actually was a girl. In Simon's case, it was obvious that the remark was mean-spirited, but Randy's question seemed honest enough -- after all, the young man was dressed in girl's clothing, had a girl's hair style, and appeared feminine enough to actually appear to be one.
However, there's always more to it than that -- obviously, these two auditions were "sensational" enough out of the tens of thousands of auditions they did for this week's two shows to warrant airplay, which means the show's producers might have been counting on gay prejudice, or anti-gay fervor, for those segments to be funny. And, obviously, Simon Cowell's overt prejudice needs to be looked into: he seems to wait until contestants leave the room to make fun of their weight problems, but it's open season if they're slightly feminine.
So, GLAAD cried foul. Good for them. This issue needs a little light on it.
Yes, this season does seem a little meaner . . . but, is it me, or is this "meanness" coming from the judges?|W|P|113786624019928845|W|P|Idol Judges Slammed for Homophobia|W|P|admin@queertexan.com |W|P|A morning show brought up a good point this morning. Isn't GLADD jumping the gun here and perpetuating the stereotypes they rail against so vehemently. Neither of these guys claimed to be gay. The first guy was very shocked at Simon's suggestion and gave the impression that he didn't know why he would even offer it up. The other guys went on and on about getting tired of people thinking he was a girl while dressing every bit like one. There are effeminiate men in this world who are not gay. There are cross-dressing men in this world who are not gay. I wasn't even in the realm of thinking "gay" with the first guy until Simon opened his mouth. One does not necessarily equal the other, but GLADD is implying that. They are reinforcing 2 steretypes that they have denounced over and over again by rallying around 2 people that we don't even know what their sexual identity is. They can't have it both ways.
Jennifer Fuentes, second season semi-finalist, has finally landed some show-biz work -- as vocalist and co-ringmaster of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus! No cruise ship crooning for her, Jennifer will now be singing to lions and sweaty kids, amidst the aromas of cotton candy and elephant manure. It's show-biz work . . . but, I'm sure it's not what she imagined! Ugh!|W|P|113779220919131679|W|P|Fuentes Now a Circus Star|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
Tarzan Idol exposed!
Playbill.com, a theatrical press giant, is now claiming that a third American Idol finalist is now working on Broadway. Josh Strickland will star in the new Disney musical on that famed street, and according to that publication, he was a “national finalist” on American Idol, a claim repeated on Broadway.com in his “star file.”
Josh Strickland may have participated in American Idol, and he may have gone to Hollywood, but he is not profiled on any American Idol website as ever having been a “finalist,” a term usually saved for the “final” group of contestants that America votes on. In fact, he is not on their website at all (any season) as having been a contestant or “rest of the best,” idolonfox.com’s profiles for finalists and semi-finalists.
We wish Mr. Strickland the best, but we hope he’s more truthful in his resume from now on!
Clarkson Songs Cleared
Kelly Clarkson, season one champ, has agreed to allowing her songs to be performed on American Idol, according to a report on ChicagoTribune.com. A spokesperson for her label said the dispute arose because he wasn’t aware that her management team was in negotiations with the show over song performance.
American Idol Reruns
American Idol is officially going into syndication through the Tribune and Sinclair-owned TV stations, only covering 55% of the US. Also, a new report from Magna Global USA shows that such syndicated shows have a negative impact on the original show’s ratings – we’re hoping that it doesn’t! (Media Daily News)|W|P|113777725107685235|W|P|Idols in the News (1/20/06)|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
One day after American Idol returns, the media is abuzz with Idol-related news. Here’s a few stories: Clarkson Nixes Bad Press Clarkson’s publicist responded to media reports that she’s refusing to allow material on the 5th season of the show, with Simon Cowell joining in on the condemnation of her supposed snub.
So what happened? The publicist stated that there was no refusal, that the two sides were in standard negotiations over the broadcasting of her licensed music, and that Kelly was “happy to hear her song, Since U Been Gone on American Idol. . .” according to a report on Billboard.com.
Sounds good to me, so why the fuss? Perhaps a little pressure from the boys at the Fox show to make the negotiations go their way, perhaps?
Idol Attracts Record Viewers 35 million people tuned into American Idol Tuesday night, their best premiere yet and Fox’s highest ratings “ever for entertainment programming in total viewers and its second-best numbers in adults 18-49.” (Billboard)
Jessica Sierra Attracts Stalker Jessica Sierra, (10th place, year four), was surprised to discover that one of her fans meant her harm: in the form of multiple threatening messages on her voice mail, and “showing up at her grandmother's Florida house uninvited,” according to a report filed by the Miami Herald. The man was charged, and arrested.
Tennessee Twins (Year Five) In Jail So, I guess this means they didn't survive Hollywood, a segment yet to be aired on American Idol 5. Instead of progressing to another round, Terrell and Derrell Brittenum have been arrested for buying a car using another man's identity last June, according to a report filed by Canada.com. Let the Year Five Scandals begin!
|W|P|113769805343146014|W|P|Idols in the News (1/19/06)|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
Welcome to our site! We've had a lot of new visitors recently, so here's the short version of who we are and what we do (long version, see "About IdolsRising.com" on the right). Idolsrising.com ranks all former American Idol contestants based on their real-world show business success after their time on the show. Our primary ranking list is the TOP TEN, which as you can imagine, details the top ten most successful contestants (Kelly, Clay, Ruben, Carrie, etc.), then the contestants fall down to the Ladder, a list ranking those who've done show biz work since, but haven't made the Top Ten. Everyone Else -- those who've done no real show biz work; Waiting in the Wings -- a short list of those contestants with major deals in the works.
We also profile each contestant whose accomplishments placed them on the first two lists, and their profiles are searchable on those lists, or by the Profile Directory (located at the bottom of the Rating Lists section). Everyone in all four past shows - who at least made it to the semi-finals - is on one of those four lists.
Thirdly, we're a real-time blog, which means you can check with us for all the latest American Idol news, gossip, reviews, etc, and for recaps on the show itself. Check back with us often!
New this week: the Profile Directory, and a TON of new links!
Hope you like what you see -- drop us a line before you leave!
-Jay Ketcherside, editor|W|P|113760387397962309|W|P|Your IdolsRising.com!|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
Kelly Clarkson is still refusing to license her music to Fox's American Idol, according to a new AP article. Simon, the mouthy judge, Cowell has issued a rebuke as well, saying:
"I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there. No matter how talented Kelly Clarkson is, she would not be in the position she's in now without winning this show. And forget the way she feels about us or the producers or anybody else, or the terrible songwriters she alleges she was with which sold her millions of records. It's the public who bothered to pick up the phone to vote for her. If she refuses to give songs to be used on the show, it's like saying to every person who voted for you, `you know what? Thank you. I'm not interested in you anymore.'"While I can certainly understand their frustration, I wonder what Kelly's side to this is? Surely it's not as arrogant as AI's producers are making it out to be. And, if they were so great, why were Kelly, Clay, and then Mario Vazquez so eager to unload them at the first opportunity (the last two requiring legal help to do so)?|W|P|113760674907701597|W|P|Kelly's Still Refusing . . . Part 2|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
|W|P|I'm a performer with a fairly well known English band.Not many of the people who get to Hollywood are great singers; a lot of them in the auditions hit many bum notes. There is this great thing called AutoTune which ends up making decent singers sound very good; listen to a Christina Aguilera record and you can hear it clearly at work.
There are always the exceptions; but that girl who was criticizing was not excellent; good, yes; but not spot on.
Carrie Underwood, whose debut album, Some Hearts, is now double platinum, has now passed up Fantasia for total records sold, making her our new #4 on IdolsRising.com's TOP TEN list!
Watch out Ruben . . . she's on your heels!|W|P|113747075320404161|W|P|Carrie Bumps Fantasia on TOP TEN list|W|P|admin@queertexan.com"Not willing to take chances, Fox moved late last year to secure up to six more seasons of the program. A recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission notes the network is on the hook for $99.5 million in license fees to CKX Inc. for the next four seasons, which are guaranteed, and then $77 million for another two years, assuming "Idol" gets the ratings at which automatic renewals kick in."Discussing fame itself, he says:
"The competitors--even "Idol" winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino and Carrie Underwood--come and go as far as their talents take them. The show has proven it is bigger than any of them."Regardless of who the 5th season official winner is, it's obvious that the richest and most popular will always be the show itself.|W|P|113735438972737387|W|P|The Real American Idol|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
Constantine Maroulis (solo) – spring/summer ‘06
Mario Vazquez – early ‘06
Vonzell Solomon – March ‘06
Anthony Fedorov – late summer ‘06
Nadia Turner – summer ‘06
Although she made a career for herself crooning to other people's tunes, first year winner Kelly Clarkson isn't allowing some of her music to be aired on American Idol 5, according to executive producer Nigel Lythgoe in an article by Reality TV Magazine.
"In this season of conflict, there also appears to be some potential problems with past contestants. In regards to Kelly Clarkson, Lythgoe said “it appears that Kelly isn’t clearing some of her music for American Idol which is very strange.” Lythgoe went on to add that he wasn’t sure if Kelly was aware of this and that he felt things would be worked out."Let's see: in the season four finale, the executive producers decided it would be best to do Saturday Night Live skits to exonerate one host of possible extracurricular activities with a particular Idol contestant, and mock those who tried out and couldn't sing ala' Gong Show style. I don't know . . . maybe they could have had a more professional finale, featuring past winners, all of whom were working their asses off to make a career? It seems to me that the whole point of the show is to sell the idea that "you can be a star," and part of that could be highlighting the careers of those who've gone on before . . . but, maybe I'm wrong. The highlight of last year's finale was Carrie and Bo -- the rest of it was elephant manure. So, I'm not surprised that a contestant who no longer needs the show doesn't want to participate . . . number one, she's not asked to participate in a way that promotes her career (wasn't the last time she sang on the show season-friggin'-two???), and number two . . . the producers keep upping the Gong Show gimmick. And secondly, the whole world knows about the draconian contracts . . you know, the reason Mario quit? Maybe she feels she's paid enough, and Americans generally don't appreciate the whole British concept of eternal subservience . . . we're more quid-pro-quo, and it doesn't seem that they've scratched her back in a very long time. But, I can't wait to see the show anyway . . . but, if a producer happens to read this: less cowbell, okay?|W|P|113721353325702179|W|P|Kelly Won't Clear Music for Idol|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
|W|P|I agree, Kelly has been very successfull without the show probably the most successful of the all to date .
Julia DeMato, second season finalist, is trying to avoid jail time for a drunken driving/drug possession arrest that happened in early December last year. If she finishes a alcohol education and community service program, the charges will be dropped.
When it's all finished, she will join the small, but interesting list of ex-cons and ex-felons that have made it on to America's number one show. Unlike Scott Savol or Corey Clark, she waited until after the show to get a record!
Julia, currently #30 on our LADDER, has had one bit of success since the year Studdard swept the show: she's been a judge on Oxygen's Meow TV.|W|P|113720771999116639|W|P|DeMato Dodges Detention|W|P|admin@queertexan.comAce Young
|W|P|well that kind of kills the surprise doesn't it? (not blaming you, i'm just saying lol)"toy(ed) with contestants about whether they're in the winning or losing group as they nervously wait for their results each week."Nigel also said to expect more coverage of contestant infighting (it won't be edited out this year -- just the curse words), and to see more of the judge's spats. I dunno . . . to me, I know they showed the one fight between Simon and Paula last year, but I'm not sure I'm interested in Extreme Idol -- I kinda like American Idol myself. But that's just me. Also reported, they will not change the often tinkered with semi-finals/finalist format from last year. It will be boys against the girls among the semi-final 24, with the final twelve being 6 boys and 6 girls. I think that part worked great, but I still miss the "wild cards," since it was a benefit to a few people (Clay Aiken, the most notable).|W|P|113712282227925869|W|P|Lean, Meaner American Idol|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
|W|P|yeah i agree... i like AI because the people on it do NOT act like the people on other reality shows. They're generally classy and usually don't show any type of fighting. I think it's impossible to imagine that everyone always got along, but I think for the most part they did. I know Clay completely bonded with Kim L, Ruben, and Carmen and then later with Kelly when they toured together. btw speaking of my man, did you get my email? ;)
Carrie Underwood, season four winner, is breaking all kinds of records. Her album, Some Hearts, has just broke 2,000,000 in US sales, making it a certified Double Platinum. This makes hers the best American Idol debut in that show's history, and it's also the best debut Country album in history as well.
Check out a review of her new album by the Nashville Scene.
Watch out Kelly! At this rate she'll catch up in no time! Already, she'll be jumping up on our Top Ten list at the next update (end of the month).|W|P|113708204844652779|W|P|Underwood Breaks Records|W|P|admin@queertexan.com |W|P|no it doesn't.. Clay Aiken shipped double platinum in ONE WEEK lol.
Year Three runner-up Diana DeGarmo has had a very good year -- very good considering that her post-Idol album had Guarini-like sales leading to her departure from her Idol-appointed record company. Early this month, her USO tour was written up in headlines everywhere, and this week, it was reported by Playbill that DeGarmo will join Tony Award winning Melba Moore to head the touring version of Broadway's "Brooklyn."
Diana may not have made her star on Billboard, but she's definitely brighter on Broadway!|W|P|113691234553182007|W|P|Diana DeGarmo to Star in "Brooklyn"|W|P|admin@queertexan.comAmerican Idol has made more music stars than any other talent show in entertainment history. Alumni from this show have sold more albums, and their tunes have hit more radio waves, and made it on more play and sales charts than any other “new artist” engine out there. Anyone who has made it to the semi-finals of that show has a greater chance of a show-biz career than just trying to get an audition with a music executive on their own, or by appearing on other talent-search productions.
IdolsRising.com exists to check out just how that’s all going for the former winners, finalists, and semi-finalists of the show. We’ve researched each and every one of them, created a personal profile for those who’ve found some success (no matter how little), and have ranked them according to their celebrity power and success!
Our ranking categories include:
- The Ladder
The Rules:
Each entry will list their qualifying information. Such information includes record sales, air play, TV appearances, movie parts, etc. What it will not list is their appearances on American Idol during the season in which they participated as a contestant, or on any media where they were promoting their career, or discussing their time on American Idol. TV appearances, for example, are limited to shows where the former contestant appeared as a character in a series or movie, comedy or drama, or as a contestant in a TV game or non-AI reality show. Talk shows or news programs aren’t applicable at all, unless the former contestant is performing work as an anchor, host, correspondent, etc. Qualifying information will also not include prior show business work (before their time on the show) in any industry.
Music work history will include any albums, singles, compilations, and videos that are made for general sale to the public. Home-made tracks or videos that don’t qualify for radio play, or are only available by download are not applicable. TV shows and movies must have been broadcast or transmitted to the general public via broadcast, cable, or satellite networks, or through theaters, or for sale as DVDs. Work that has not been broadcast or transmitted, or has not yet been published or released, will not be used as criteria for our rating purposes.
Artists or fans cannot pay to have a former contestant’s rating changed or improved, or sponsor their listing. To prevent any perception of favoritism, former contestants of American Idol and fan clubs/sites for these former contestants may not purchase advertising for this website.
- The Ladder:This is a mixed categorized / non-categorized list, picking up where the Top Ten left off. Artists in this category without work that can be rated will not have a place assigned to them, and will be listed alphabetically under the categorized artists. These are mostly artists who’ve done some celebrity work, made record deals, cut albums, been on TV, radio, or film, due to their time on American Idol, but haven’t done enough (or done well enough) to make it in the Top Ten.
So, how do you categorize them?
The work categorized is the work listed under each artists entry, and only the work performed after their time on the show will be considered – not show-biz work they did before. Work will also not consist of tour dates, musical appearances on TV shows, or any sort of promotional work done to promote their artistic endeavors. Appearances as a contestant on American Idol do not count as work that can be categorized, nor will albums or singles recorded by contestants while they were still part of the show.
What if you miss something?
Hey, can I write for Idols Rising?
If that’s all you wanna do, simply reply to any post . . . we love fan mail.
So, what makes you so special?
Plus, I have the experience listed in the FAQ before. In 2001, I created a message board network for former members of a particular religious sub-sect, which has since evolved into a non-profit organization, working now as a support and recovery network for people who felt manipulated or abused by that sect.
What is your affiliation with American Idol?
|W|P|Will you make mentions for past contestants that were cut in Hollywood (or earlier) yet got recognition? |W|P|I will only cover, at least on the ranking charts, the contestants that at least made it to the semi-finalist round. If other contestants make the news, I'm likely to cover it, but I won't include them on my charts. Reason? There's just so many people I can keep up with! LOL! |W|P|Oh, and the other reason I'm only starting with the semi-finalists (and not the "Hollywood" ticket holders) is because this is the group of contestants that the public actually gets to vote on. |W|P|Give Carrie time and she will make Simon's predictions true. I believe she will sale more albums than any previous American Idol. She's just awesome! |W|P|Just updating the Clay facts -- Clay has done 6 tours total, not 3. He did the American Idol 2 tour, then the Independent Tour with Kelly. He also did a summer solo tour (which had no name, so it's known as the "not a tour tour" among the fans), this summer's Jukebox tour, and Joyful Noise 1 and 2. |W|P|Yeah, Carrie would have beat out Kelly if Kelly didn't have so many albums and singles out. Carrie only has one album out and is at #4 on this (GO CARRIE!). I'm sure that she with time she will become #1. I have a question... Why does it say Carrie has sold more than 2 albums? Well duh she has sold more than TWO! I'm sure everyone that has come out with a album has sold more than TWO. I think they made a type there... I <3 CARRIE!!
|W|P|Hey, me.Thanks for the word up on the typo . . . fixed.
JK
|W|P|Did you blog about Diana's two new theatre gigs? |W|P|I adore the extremely talented and nice Justin Guarini. What a class act he's been in spite of all the crap he's had unfairly thrown his way. It's frustrating to see lesser talents who were far less popular strive while he's become a target of unwarranted abuse. Glad to see you acknowledge it.Time for the nonsense to end and for him to garnish the accolades he deserves... in every way.
|W|P|Have you seen that site? It includes Lisa Leuschner's album - with a second one coming soon. |W|P|Which site? |W|P|Kewl. Thanks for the info. I'll move her up to the Ladder on the next update. |W|P|http://www.hadasmusic.com/ That's Hadas Shalev's site - amazing |W|P|The purpose of Claymate Restaurant is too relax, have fun, and rant if you want to if your having a bad day, make friends, and talk about our bf 24/7! This is also a place where non Clay fans can get together and chat. We want to make everybody who joins comfortable to talk about anything, and start topics of there own. The Claymate Restaurant is where we can serve food and drinks and just enjoy other peoples company and have a good time |W|P|My site carries information, videoes and pictures about Tay Hicks. He's one of the most unique contestants to hit this show.Last season I blogged for Bo Bice;
Bo Bice; Rising Star
I'd love to be linked with your site, you cover all the Ai contestants.
I have you in my link section.
Thanks.
|W|P|http://coldheartedtruth.com/?blog=7Overall American Idol page with a bit of reality television on the side... piggy backed onto a more nationaly prominent Polical Blog it has a built in audience...
|W|P|ADVERTISE FREE AT LOW-ADS.COM now ! |W|P|ADVERTISE FREE AT LOW-ADS.COM now ! |W|P|Would be nice if we had internet american Idol. www.beatyourprice.com
Kelly Clarkson has done something no other Idol contestant has been able to do -- transcend the show itself into superstardom, making her the only contestant to ever really achieve the fame promised by Fox TV’s American Idol. We bow to the Queen . . . Kelly Clarkson!
8.2 - IdolsRising Score
Music
Albums:
Breakaway (2004) Five times platinum selling album (5 million US), over 9 million copies worldwide.
Thankful (2003) Double-platinum selling album (2.5 million US), over 4 million copies sold worldwide.
Singles:
A Moment Like This (2002) platinum
Miss Independent (2003) gold
Breakaway (2004) double platinum
Since U Been Gone (2004) five times platinum
Behind These Hazel Eyes (2005) double platinum
Because of You (2005)
Movies
From Justin to Kelly (2003), starring role.
Television
American Dreams (NBC), starring as Brenda Lee, one episode.
Multiple music promotion appearances.
Awards
Too many to list. But, here’s some highlights . . .
Grammys:2 in 2006 (Breakaway, Since U Been Gone)
2004, nominated (Miss Independent)
AMA’s: 2005, winner – Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist
People’s Choice: 2006, winner – Favorite Female Performer
MTV VMA’s: 2005, winner – Best Female Video
2005, winner – Best Pop Video
Bio (Wikipedia)
Official Site|W|P|113616934480988686|W|P|Kelly Clarkson|W|P|admin@queertexan.com
Clay Aiken has been one of the most successful American idol contestants – despite himself. When we first saw him on the second season, his confidence was almost humorous (he told Simon and the others that he knew from watching Year One that he could have either won, or placed second). He was gawky, red-headed, freckle-faced, and we “all knew” that this would be one of those “gong-show” auditions . . . Clay placed a very close second to that year’s winner, Ruben Studdard, who also suffered from the same “image problem,” and both slammed the airways and the sales charts with their singles – with Clay not only besting Studdard, but also Kelly Clarkson’s debut (the first champ) on the charts. Clay’s single went on to be the fastest selling single since Elton John’s Diana tribute (Candle in the Wind 1997), while his album became the fastest-selling debut of a new artist in ten years.
Clay is currently #2 on our Top Ten list of most successful former American Idol contestants.Awards: American Music Awards 2003 – Fan’s Choice Award, winner Billboard Awards 2003 – Besting Selling Single, Best Selling Christian Album (won both)
2004 -- The Joyful Noise Tour (28 cities in November, December) The Not a Tour Tour (50 cities in July through September) The Independent Tour (w/ Kelly Clarkson, February through April)
Official SiteFan sites (the best)
|W|P|He won't be stalled long!!!!!!!Barb in MI
|W|P|When did he say he could have won or placed second? I've not heard that. When and in what circumstances did he utter those words? |W|P|You forgot to add how he got it on with some Army Ranger in a motel over Christmas... unprotected, I might add. What a gay slut. Come read about it on my site, dolls!