Remember that one singing show that pretty much defines the early 2000’s? It’s been over a decade since American Idol has made a huge cultural impact and launched the career of some of the biggest artists we know today. As the fifteenth and final season of the show looms in, let’s see which Idol alumni are the highest earners of the lot in 2015 according to Forbes Magazine.
5. Kelly Clarkson ($4 million)
Kelly Clarkson is the winner of the first season of American Idol. Her debut single, “A Moment Like This”, ranked one the Billboard Hot 100 and was the best-selling single of 2002. Kelly released her seventh studio album Piece By Piece last year through RCA Records though she didn’t perform on as many live shows to promote it as we’d hoped. That could have made the pop singer ranked higher on the list.
4. Phillip Phillips ($5 million)
25-year-old folk rock singer Phillip Phillips is the winner of the eleventh season of the show. His major hit, “Home”, was the highest-grossing single of all American Idol coronation songs. He also played 83 live shows around North America for his latest album Behind the Light (2014).
3. Daughtry ($6 million)
Although Chris Daughtry was placed fourth on the fifth season of American Idol, he signed with RCA Records in only a matter of days after the elimination and formed his current band, Daughtry. Chris is ranked third with $6 million earned as he played 91 live shows in 2015, more than any other alumni on the list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0S1CEFXh9g
2. Carrie Underwood ($8 million)
American country royalty Carrie Underwood is the winner of the fourth season of American Idol (2005). She has broken several records and won a great number of country music awards throughout her career. She was also a previous top ranker of Forbes’s list in 2013 and 2014. In October 2015, Carrie released her fifth record Storyteller which has sold over 150,000 units. Listen to her hit from the album below.
1. Adam Lambert ($10 million)
And the Idol who’s earned the highest pay in 2015 is one Mr. Adam Lambert. Season 8’s runner-up has earned over $10 million despite his departure from RCA Records in 2013. As with Daughtry and Phillips who brought in megabucks from touring, since 2014 Adam has also been collaborating and embarking on a worldwide trek with legendary rock band Queen as the lead vocalist. The two championing acts will keep doing that throughout 2016 as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUef6VzJJw8
