American Idol is a great competition series that gives opportunities to many aspiring singers where they can find success in the music industry, which is their dream. And while I would say all the winners have deserved their wins and are talented, there's so many runner-ups who also could have easily taken first place. And even if they didn't win on the show, some have become bigger than even the winners. Here's 5 American Idol runner-ups who became bigger than the winners they lost to:
- Season 3 - Jennifer Hudson, winner Fantasia Barrino
- Season 5 - Katharine McPhee and Chris Daughtery, winner Taylor Hicks
- Season 7 - David Archuleta, winner David Cook
- Season 8 - Adam Lambert, winner Kris Allen
5 American Idol runner-ups who became bigger than the winners
Starting out with American Idol season 3, the winner of the season is Fantasia Barrino. The artist has gone on to have a very successful music career with her debut single "I Believe" being the best-selling single in the U.S. in 2004. She's also well-known for starring in The Color Purple. Her achievements are great and well deserved.
Though if you ask me which name is a little more familiar to people from American Idol, Jennifer Hudson's name would come up before Fantasia's. She's the youngest EGOT, a very successful music career, ventures into acting, and now has her own daytime talk show despite her not even being a runner-up, but seventh place on Idol.
Katharine McPhee, who was the immediate runner-up, and Chris Daughtry, who came in fourth place, both competed on season 5 alongside winner Taylor Hicks. McPhee is known for her music, but has really established herself as an actress now and become known more in that world in film and television, but most notably on stage as Jenna Hunterson in Waitress. Daughtery ended up becoming the most successful recording artist from the season and has since formed his band, Daughtry.
There were two Davids in American Idol season 7, with David Cook winning but second place winner David Archuleta becoming a bit more famous. Though both did find some success after the competition series and they're sort of almost tied, if that's the right word, in terms of who might be a little more known than the other. Archuleta being 16 years old at the time could have contributed to his success a little more, resonating with fellow teens. But still, both are so talented!
One of my favorite contestants was runner-up Adam Lambert in season 8, who came in behind winner Kris Allen. The one who took home the win was not able to get gold album status, and has still done music though I'll be honest, he isn't as big as Lambert has become. He has released multiple songs and albums, some of which have reached No. 3 in the Billboard 200, and has even taken the Broadway stage to play the Emcee character in Cabaret. Most notably though, he tours with rock band Queen as their lead singer, which is I'm sure a dream come true for an artist in his genre.
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