How 'Idols' are faring

Kelly Clarkson (winner). The first "Idol" and the show's golden girl made "Since U Been Gone" the pop single of the new century. Her transition from "Idol" to star is complete.

Justin Guarini (second place). Curly-head of the bomb "From Justin to Kelly" is peddling a jazz album on his Web site.

Nikki McKibbin (third place). Dropped by RCA Victor after she refused to make a country record, she made guest shots on reality shows, such as "Fear Factor," but is still working on her first solo record.

Tamyra Gray (fourth place). Also dropped by RCA after she wanted to write her own material, Gray re-emerged in a role on TV's "Boston Public" and the 2005 feature "The Gospel," for which she also sang on the soundtrack. She recently married Sam Watters of Color Me Badd.

R.J. Helton (fifth place). Came out of the closet and put out a gospel CD.

Ryan Starr (seventh place). Although her career stalled when RCA refused to let her make a rock record, she released her song "My Religion" as an iTunes download (where it topped the chart).

Jim Verraros (ninth place). Also came out of the closet and has been making dance records.

2003: SEASON TWO

Ruben Studdard (winner). The cuddly Velvet Teddy Bear scored three hit albums and appeared on TV and movies ("Scooby Doo 2: Monster Unleashed"). He was awarded a $2 million judgment last year in a suit against his godfather and business manager, who stole his money, and lost 70 pounds.

Clay Aiken (second place). The popular North Carolina singer, who many thought was robbed of first place by a voting snafu, saw his debut CD, "Measure of a Man," sell near 3 million. His tours and CD sales are second only to those of Kelly Clarkson among "Idol" alumni.

Kimberley Locke (third place). The belter's debut CD peaked midchart, and her follow-up has been long delayed. But she has a lingerie line with Lane Bryant and just signed on as a Jenny Craig spokesman.

Josh Gracin (fourth place). The ex-Marine earned three Top Five country hits and a gold album with his debut CD. His next album, "All About Y'All," is poised for release.

Kimberly Caldwell (seventh place). Posed for men's magazine and works as a reality- show correspondent for the TV Guide cable channel. Her debut album, produced by "Idol" judge Randy Jackson, is still unreleased.

Frenchie Davis (disqualified). Thrown off the show when topless photos of her surfaced on the Internet, Davis took over a role in Broadway's "Rent."

Corey Clark (disqualified). After he was kicked off the show for failing to disclose a criminal record, Clark charged that he had an affair with "Idol" judge Paula Abdul. The Fox network investigation cleared Abdul. Clark released a CD on his own label and sold 2,500 copies.

2004: SEASON THREE

Fantasia Barrino (winner). Her million-selling debut album earned four Grammy nominations, and the leadoff track, "I Believe," was the biggest-selling single of 2004. Functionally illiterate, she dictated her New York Times best-selling memoir, "Life Is a Fairy Tale," which was made into a cable TV movie. She is touring with Jamie Foxx.

Diana DeGarmo (second place). Her CD bombed, but she has been playing the role of Penny Pingleton in the Broadway production of "Hairspray."

Jasmine Trias (third place). Her CD tanked, but she's big in the Philippines.

LaToya London (fourth place). Dropped by her label after the 2005 debut CD sold modestly. She dropped "LaToya" from her performing name and is writing songs for a second album, shopping for a label and headed into a Chicago run of the musical "The Color Purple."

Jennifer Hudson (seventh place). "Dreamgirls" made her a star. Her new album is due, and she could well win the Oscar.

William Hung (auditioned). The UC-Berkeley student's off-key Ricky Martin cover, "She Bangs," made him a star/joke.

2005: SEASON FOUR

Carrie Underwood (winner). The former beauty-pageant contestant made Faith Hill furious when she won Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year award. Her debut album sold more than 4 million copies, and she was seen cuddling with Dallas quarterback Tony Romo on the sidelines of the Cowboys-Eagles game.

Bo Bice (second place). The Southern rocker featured a guitar solo from Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora on his first single, appeared with Trey Anastasio of Phish at the Bonaroo Music Festival, took the stage with Willie Nelson at Farm Aid and sang on the latest album by Carlos Santana.

Anthony Fedorov (fourth place). The Ukrainian immigrant finished second in a special reality-TV edition of "Fear Factor" and served as a judge on MTV's "Little Talent Show."

Mario Vazquez (resigned). The former child prodigy quit the show in the semifinals. His first post-"Idol" single got radio play but never caught fire.

2006: SEASON FIVE

Taylor Hicks (winner). His debut single — "Do I Make You Proud?" — hit No. 1, and his album has sold 500,000 copies since it was released last month. The Alabaman was named People magazine's "Hottest Bachelor" last year. His ghostwritten memoirs will be published in April.

Katharine McPhee (second place). The Valley Girl will release a debut album Jan. 30. She has toured with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and admitted to problems with bulimia, a severe father and a reading disorder.

Chris Daughtry (fourth place). Last season's "rocker" released his debut album in November and has already passed 1 million sales. He played Times Square on New Year's Eve.

Kellie Pickler (sixth place). Her album, "Small Town Girl," topped the country charts the week it was released in October. A TV sitcom built around her character is in development.

Terrell and Derrell Brittenum (disqualified). The twins wound up jailed on forgery, theft and weapons charges after the first two episodes. They pleaded guilty in May and were fined $1,000 each and placed on probation.

We live in the "American Idol" era of pop music. Not since Frank Sinatra vaulted off the "Major Bowes" talent show in 1935 have amateur contests produced chart-toppers. With the sixth season of "American Idol" under way, we look at the fortunes of past contestants.