There are several questions floating around as “American Idol’s” fifth season rolls to a close. Will Taylor Hicks (and his noxious “Soul Patrol” chant) continue an unlikely run to the top? Who was more surprised about Katharine McPhee advancing to the top three: the departed “rocker” Chris Daughtry or an obviously distraught Paula Abdul?
One thing that cannot be questioned is “Idol’s” starmaking potential. The series has grown into such a juggernaut that even contestants who fail to make the program can become instant celebrities. For proof just check out the March 23, 2006, issue of Rolling Stone, which featured full-page photographs of “Idol” luminaries such as Sammy Neighbors and Yuliya Matus. Heck, William Hung turned his horrifying take on Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” into a three-album recording career — a stretch that a majority of finalists have been unable to equal.
Here’s a quick rundown of a selection of former “Idol” contestants, ranging from the uber-successful (Kelly Clarkson) to the “Wait, who was that again?”
SEASON 1
KELLY CLARKSON
How she did: Winner
Currently: Most obvious “Idol” success story.
Next up: Her highly anticipated third album is expected later this year.
JUSTIN GUARINI
How he did: Runner-up
Currently: Started production on his third album with his new label 3:AM Music.
Next up: Hopefully a role in the B-movie: “From Justin to Kelly 2: I Think I’m Alone Now.”
NIKKI MCKIBBIN
How she did: Final three
Currently: Dropped by RCA after refusing to make the country record that the label wanted, she is now on Astral Records, with her rock debut due this year.
Next up: A country fair tour with Firehouse, perhaps?
JIM VERRAROS
How he did: Final 12
Currently: The openly gay Verraros (who came out after his appearance on “Idol”) has released two albums of dance pop and appeared in the independent film “Eating Out.”
Next up: A sequel to “Eating Out” is in production.
TAMYRA GRAY
How she did: Final 12
Currently: Gray is continuing her string of television appearances (“Boston Public,” “The Tyra Banks Show”) with a guest spot on “Las Vegas.”
Next up: Hopefully Gray will take a break from her extensive television guest spots to record a proper sophomore album.
SEASON 2
RUBEN STUDDARD
How he did: Winner
Currently: The oversize singer attempted to diet (losing 22 pounds) while recording his sophomore record, “The Return of the Velvet Teddy Bear.”
Next up: Expect him to tour in support of his new album and, it is hoped, unveil a fresh line of 205 jerseys.
CLAY AIKEN
How he did: Runner-up
Currently: Aiken is battling a string of controversies as he readies his highly anticipated sophomore record, expected this year. Nine disgruntled fans are considering filing suit against the singer and his record labels RCA and Sony/BMG for deceptive marketing practices. The fans allege that Aiken was marketed as a “wholesome” product, an image they no longer believe to be true after numerous tabloid reports surfaced questioning his sexual orientation.
Next up: The boyish pixie has established himself as one of the series’ breakout stars despite his runner-up status.
KIMBERLY LOCKE
How she did: Final three
Currently: Locke has signed on as a model for Lane Bryant and is putting the finishing touches on a new album.
Next up: Locke’s sophomore album, “Based on a True Story,” is scheduled for release this year.
FRENCHIE DAVIS
How she did: Disqualified after she was found to have modeled for an adult Web site.
Currently: Davis is starring in the Broadway production of “Rent,” where she has the featured solo on “Seasons of Love.”
Next up: Because it’s likely her career as a topless model is over, look for Davis (and her booming voice) to continue to find work in various musical productions.
KIMBERLY CALDWELL
How she did: Final 12
Currently: Caldwell is a correspondent for the TV Guide Channel.
Next up: She is working on her debut album with “American Idol’s” Randy Jackson and still hopes to break into film or TV as an actress.
JOSHUA GRACIN
How he did: Final 12
Currently: Like Aiken, Gracin has turned his “loser” status into a successful career in the music business.
In March he released his latest single, “Favorite State of Mind,” from his forthcoming album of the same name.
Next up: With another album on the way, could an opening slot for Rascal Flatts or Big and Rich be far behind?
COREY CLARK
How he did: Disqualified after reaching the Final 12 for not revealing an arrest conviction.
Currently: Laying low after the failure of his self-titled debut (2,500 copies sold).
Next up: Another album and, it is hoped, another round of interviews with the likes of Geraldo Rivera.
CARMEN RASMUSEN
How she did: Final 12
Currently: Rasmusen has completed recording her debut album, which should be released sometime this year.
Next up: Complete anonymity.
SEASON 3
FANTASIA BARRINO
How she did: Winner
Currently: Finished writing her memoir, “Life Is Not a Fairy Tale,” and is in the planning stages for her sophomore album.
Next up: Lost out on the role of Effie White in the 2006 film adaptation of “Dreamgirls” (a part that went to fellow “Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson), though Lifetime is still producing a film based on the singer’s memoirs (due out this summer).
DIANA DEGARMO
How she did: Runner-up
Currently: DeGarmo is on
Broadway as Penny Pingleton two-album deal with Koch Records, and she is also slated to tour with the theater production “Brooklyn the Musical” this summer.
JENNIFER HUDSON
How she did: Final 12
Currently: The Chicago-born Hudson is set to co-star as Effie White in the film production of “Dreamgirls” alongside Beyonce, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx.
Next up: A singing role next to Beyonce should jump-start Hudson’s music career in a big way. Look for her debut album soon after the film.
JOHN STEVENS
How he did: Final 12
Currently: After his 2005 debut, “Red,” only sold 18,000 copies, the 18-year-old crooner left Maverick Records and enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Next up: Unless crooners (Mel Torme, etc.) experience a pop culture rebound, it’s unlikely the mainstream will hear any more from Stevens.
LATOYA LONDON
How she did: Final 12
Currently: London landed a role in the touring theater production “Issues: We All Have ‘Em” alongside Angie Stone and Kim Fields.
Next up: A guest spot on a UPN sitcom. “Girlfriends” perhaps?
WILLIAM HUNG
How he did: Failed in the audition
Currently: Easily the most successful failure “Idol” has ever produced. Hung’s vocally challenged take on something of a cult hit, landing the 23-year-old college student a record deal with Koch Entertainment.
After three albums and appearances on “Dateline NBC” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” it appears that Hung’s 15 minutes are thankfully over.
Next up: It is hoped Hung will return to college and leave his “singing” career behind for good.
MATTHEW ROGERS
How he did: Final 12
Currently: Rogers was a football coach at Mission Viejo High School in California, but he now co-hosts “Idol Extra,” a behind-the-scenes look at the series.
Next up: Continuing to give television another shot in order to avoid two-a-days in the hot California sun.
SEASON 4
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
How she did: Winner
Currently: Underwood’s debut album, “Some Hearts,” was certified triple-platinum by the RIAA with more than 3 million copies sold — the best-selling debut of any “Idol” artist.
Next up: A Faith Hill-like career, straddling the country-pop line, is not out of the question.
BO BICE
How he did: Runner-up
Currently: Looking for a follow-up after his 2005 debut, “The Real Thing,” sold 227,000 copies its first week.
Next up: A tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd or Drive-By Truckers would be ideal, but odds are the talented Bice will continue to woo the Wal-Mart crowd with a neutered brand of pop rock.
CONSTANTINE MAROULIS
How he did: Final 12
Currently: Left his band, Pray for the Soul of Betty, and is rumored to be working on a solo disc.
Next up: The well-coifed Maroulis could make a small fortune advertising shampoos and conditioners.
SCOTT SAVOL
How he did: Final five
Currently: Working on his debut album while performing at venues such as the Shore Cultural Centre in Euclid, Ohio.
Next up: Could easily find work as a bouncer in the Flats, Cleveland’s answer to Chicago’s boozy Wrigleyville neighborhood.
MIKALAH GORDON
How she did: Final 12
Currently: The Las Vegas resident has served as a correspondent for the “The Tyra Banks Show.”
Next up: More television appearances, no doubt.
JESSICA SIERRA
How she did: Final 12
Currently: Sierra is going to be featured in a stalking campaign sponsored by the Department of Justice’s National Stalking Resource Center and the Office on Violence Against Women. Her involvement stems from a run-in with a 59-year-old Tennessee man who was arrested after leaving more than 40 voice mails for the singer.
Next up: Living in Nashville and working on her debut album with producer Nick Brophy (Rolling Stones, Avril Lavigne).
