How the three “American Idol” runners-up compare:
Justin Guarini
Age when voted off: 23
Hometown: Doylestown, Pa.
Style: Early Michael Jackson meets ‘N Sync-era Justin Timberlake.
Pop star potential: Didn’t stand a chance with that hair.
Post-show buzz: With only 42 percent of the vote, Justin couldn’t find a ray of the spotlight through Kelly Clarkson’s shadow.
Fallback career: Would fit perfectly in any Old Navy ad. Or as Sideshow Bob’s stand-in.
Reality
LOSER: Dropped by RCA Records after album tanked (selling only 140,000). “From Justin to Kelly” was a “Gigli”-size bomb. Justin is planning a comeback with a new funky/R&B CD, although he hasn’t landed a recording contract yet.
Diana DeGarmo
Age when voted off: 16
Hometown: Snellville, Ga.
Style: LeAnn Rimes meets Celine Dion.
Pop star potential: She’s got the pep, the personality and the pipes to pop.
Post-show buzz: Deserves the “most improved almost-Idol” award for showing poise under pressure and proving she can connect with the audience. Said she’ll start working on a record immediately.
Fallback career: Simon Cowell always commented on her cutesy routines. If Disney ever revives the Mouseketeer Club …
Reality
WINNER: With Britney now a woman and no longer a girl, and Christina too dirrty for tween tastes, this bubbly blond from the South could fill the void.
Clay Aiken
Age when voted off: 24
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Style: Jon Secada meets Peter Cetera.
Pop star potential: The incredibly close vote proved America already embraced Clay’s big heart and even bigger voice.
Post-show buzz: Clay’s transformation from big-eared geek to cool crooner created a nation of loyal Claymates.
Fallback career: A lanky theatrical type, he missed his calling as a circus ringmaster. Or the next Richard Simmons.
Reality
WINNER: Debut album sold 2.5 million copies, outperforming the debut albums of Clarkson and Ruben Studdard.
