Arguably one of the most popular singing reality shows of the world, American Idol has gone on for 19 seasons. Throughout this time, the show has turned lesser-known singers into popular celebrities, Broadway icons, and Grammy winners.
From Kelly Clarkson to Chris Daughtry, these contestants have become a part of modern American pop culture. Many like Adam Lambert, Clay Aiken, and David Archutela have had minor acting credits appearing in guest roles for popular TV shows. On the other hand, Jennifer Hudson is an exception as she went on to pursue a serious acting career after her 2006 film debut Dreamgirls.
Kelly Clarkson - The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019-)
The first-ever American Idol winner not only had a successful singing career but she also hosts her own talk show that has been on air since 2019. The Kelly Clarkson Show often features its titular host engaging in a feel-good conversation with her guests, while also performing cover songs for her audience.
With more than 200 episodes, the talk show has garnered three Daytime Emmy wins with Clarkson receiving the Emmy for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host.
Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls (2006)
Dreamgirls, much like the Broadway musical it is based on, is largely a work of fiction set in the backdrop of a nascent R&B music scene from the 1960s to the 1970s. However, it does bear intentional resemblances to the story of the musical trio The Supremes, and the Motown record label.
Largely playing out as a musical, Dreamgirls is an interesting interpretation of greed, music, and culture that's bolstered further by its talented acting ensemble. Starring alongside Beyoncé Knowles and Eddie Murphy, Season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson portrayed the singer Effie White. Hudson drew massive acclaim for her performance and earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Adam Lambert - Glee (2009-2015)
Adam Lambert built a successful career as a pop artist after finishing as a runner-up on American Idol Season 8. Since then, he has also dabbled in acting including a recurring role in Ryan Murphy's musical series Glee.
He plays an NYU student called Elliott Gilbert who debuts in the show after joining the cover band, Pamela Lansbury. Lambert's audition for this band made for an iconic moment in Glee's history as he performs the Lady Gaga hit "Marry The Night." Apart from showing off his vocal prowess, Lambert swings on chandeliers to make the performance as memorable as it can be.
Carrie Underwood - Sesame Street (1969-)
In 2009, Season 6 winner and country singer Carrie Underwood voiced a parodied version of herself on the puppet show Sesame Street. Christened as Carrie Underworm, the character is described as a 'worm celebrity' who inaugurates a racing event by performing the so-called 'Worm Anthem.'
Underwood maintained her relationship with the Muppets as she appeared in an advertisement for the 2011 Country Music Awards along with Miss Piggy and country star Brad Paisley. Underwood also had a guest appearance in an episode of How I Met Your Mother.
Clay Aiken - Phineas And Ferb (2007-2015)
In a Phineas and Ferb episode titled "Summer Belongs To You," Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken guest-starred to sing a motivational tune along with Chaka Khan.
The episode finds the titular brothers attempting to travel all across the globe at the same speed as Earth's rotating, creating the longest and 'funnest' summer day of all time in this process. Even though the young inventors feel a bit discouraged initially, Aiken and Khan's duet gives them a much-needed boost of inspiration.
Katherine McPhee - The House Bunny (2008)
After emerging as the runner-up on Season 5, Katherine McPhee also took towards acting, starting with the 2008 comedy The House Bunny. Starring Anna Farris in the lead role, the film revolved around a former Playboy bunny who associates herself with a sorority house as their 'house mother.'
The Zeta Alpha Zeta house is mainly dominated by socially awkward students. McPhee plays one such member of the sorority called Harmony Bowels. Often dressed in generic hippie clothing, she's also revealed to be pregnant. McPhee also scored a leading role on NBC's musical series Smash.
David Archuleta - Hannah Montana (2006-2011)
Singer David Archuleta had already acquired fame at a young age with the singing show Star Search. As for his tenure on American Idol Season 7, he finished second.
Archuleta also made an appearance on the Disney Channel teen series Hannah Montana in the Season 3 episode "Promma Mia." He also gets to sing a duet with Miley Cyrus who initially ditches her prom date for this opportunity. The song, "I Wanna Know You" also ended up finding popularity outside of the show, peaking at 74 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Chris Daughtry - Batman: Dying Is Easy (2021)
After securing fourth place in Season 5, Chris Daughtry fronted his rock band Daughtry. The singer has been pretty vocal in his interest regarding the DC character Batman. In fact, he even recorded the song "Drown In You" for the 2011 video game Batman: Arkham City.
His love for Batman carried on with an acting role in a crowdfunded fan film. Released this March, Batman: Dying Is Easy featured Daughtry portraying the supervillain, Hugo Strange. He's joined by other iconic antagonists like The Joker (Aaron Schoenke) and The Riddler (Doug Jones).
Ruben Studdard - Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004)
Ruben Studdard, the Grammy-nominated winner of Season 2, has had brief roles in TV shows like All Of Us, Eve, and 8 Simple Rules. But when it comes to films, his most popular cameo was in Scooby-Doo 2. Towards the film's end-credits sequence, Studdard sings the Earth, Wind, and Fire disco hit "Shining Star" as Scooby and his gang perform a retro-style dance routine.
Despite the film still maintaining some popularity, it largely received negative reviews and earned a Razzie for Worst Sequel.
Lauren Alania - Dancing With The Stars (2005-)
Season 10 runner-up Lauren Alania's tryst with reality television continued with Dancing With The Stars' Season 28. She competed in the dance show along with her partner Gleb Savchenko, with the couple placed fourth by the finale.
As is the case with her fellow competitors, Alania and Savchenko explored a wide variety of dancing styles including Tango, Paso Doble, Jive, and Quickstep. In the final episode, they performed the Foxtrot on "Jolene" along with a freestyle performance on "Country Girl."