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As I glance at the Kelly Clarkson poster on my wall, I realize how incredible it is that such wild success can come from a show that sends others right back to anonymity. This is the follow up to the season one article, that is long in coming. Like I said in the last article, you cannot judge success based on Kelly Clarkson's record sales. IF you do, we are all abysmal failures. If a person is loving what they are doing and more importantly doing something with their talent, then good on them!
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I am a very harsh critic, but when it comes to discussing life after Idol I have a bit of a soft spot. Sure, you made me cringe while you were on the show, but I have many friends trying to "make it" and I may join them at some point...so I guess in this case I like to look at the big picture and be supportive. Like last time, if you know something I don't about one of these people, email me at Jlynn206 at aol.com and let me know!
Researching Season 2, was...well...fascinating. It brought me to a list of Latter-Day Saints singers, which was pretty much all of the Osmonds, Carmen Rasmusen, Jon Peter Lewis!, and get this, Gladys Knight! I did not know that! Really, Gladys? I also ended up on Lindsey Cardinale's page cause she's on Carmen's myspace friend list! (As is Katelyn Tarver from American Juniors....) Anyway, I don't know if I missed a couple of the rounds for the Top 32, but I COULD not, even if my life depended on it, remember some of these people. Seriously, Sylvia Chibiliti? Who the hell is that? I'm wondering if I was in a show at the beginning or something. If you can recall these people, do email me and remind me who the heck they are. Anyway, read on to see what these exciting, albeit forgettable, people are doing now!
1. J.D. Adams: "All in Love is Fair" Best remembered by me as Kimberly Caldwell's boy toy. He had a decent enough voice, but not even his pretty boy looks could get him by. If you couldn't get through Charles and Julia, then you can't get passed anybody, let's be honest. The most current information I could find was that he appeared on the Christmas album that many Idol alumni are on.
*Christmas in the Fishbowl 2004
2. Clay Aiken: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" "This is the Night" As if I had to list songs to remind you of who Clay is.... A novel could be written here about this talented man, but I will keep it to the basics. He has the second highest sales behind Kelly of the Idol alumni, however, unless he kicks it up a notch he may be easily surpassed by Carrie, as she is appealing to various genres. "Measure of a Man," which came out before Ruben's album was a smash hit. Like other idol alumni, Clay is struggling to get airplay, though Adult Contemporary has treated him nicely. It's hard to imagine that this guy was a wild card, as Ruben and Kim (the rest of the top 3) got chosen his initial week. He holds many records, such as fasted selling single and best opening for a solo artist. He has toured like crazy, and done extremely well on that front with tours such as, Independent (with Kelly), The Joyful Noise Tour, and The JukeBox tour. I saw him tour with Kelly and he was amazing! He had a Christmas Special, appeared on Scrubs, wrote a memoir, appeared on Oprah and Doctor Phil, started a foundation, released successful Christmas singles, won numerous Billboard awards and American Music awards, and has survived much controversy.
*Pick up his new cd "A Thousand different Ways," which does include some new material amidst the covers, it's already Gold!
*He is on tour right now! Also, catch him on "Days of Our Lives" and the American Music Awards!
-His official site: Official RCA website
- His Myspace
3. Juanita Barber: "What about the Children" She was Frenchie Davis's replacement, and those were already huge shoes for her to attempt to fill. She was also the one who through the huge fit when her room was not chosen in Hollywood. When she sang her song after being brought back, there was quite the scuttle after the judges didn't like it...leading her to say America chose the wrong judge, and this priceless banter:
Simon: Because it didn't sound very good.
Juanita: How didn't it sound very good?
Simon: Because you sang it.
If you need to talk to others about Juanita, feel free to discuss her on Voteforthe worst.com HERE.
4. Rebecca Bond: "Caught up in the Rapture" I can't remember her very well, but according to reviews written at that time, she was beautiful and poised....that's all I could find.
5. Kimberly Caldwell: "I Feel the Earth Move" "Come to My Window" Kimberly was known for her cool, raspy tone and her apparent cat fight with Julia DeMato in the Hollywood rounds. Kim was beautiful on the show, and she's managed to get even more gorgeous since. She has a cool new short hair cut, a movie coming out in 2007 entitled "Wrong Turn," her debut cd is in the works, and she is a news correspondent for the TV Guide Channel. I remember Randy promising her he'd help her get a CD out, I don't know if he was good on his word or not. It's certainly taken years. She's currently on some show on VH1 that I still don't quite understand called, Celebrity Paranormal Project...something about an insane asylum.
* "Who Will You Run To" available at Walmart.com 2006 and itunes
*Visit her official site
6. Sylvia Chibiliti: "Didn't We Almost Have it All" I've got nothing.
7. Corey Clark: Did Paula Abdul sleep with him? Did she coach him? Could he have even won with her coaching, I mean honestly? Had he not gotten kicked off for lying, would he REALLY have won had Paula been helping him with song selection? I mean, seriously. And that's all I have to say.
* "Out of Control" & "Wiggle and Shake"
8. Samantha Cohen: "Something he Can Feel" Okay, if she's now a photographer or a renowned lute player she's doing very well, but something tells me those are different Samantha Cohen's.
9. Candice Coleman: "Piece of my Heart" I recall actually liking this girl a little. I found an article on her after she was booted off idol and she apparently has a son named Harrison and she vowed to continue writing her own music. Here's to hoping we get to hear it someday!
*Voices United for UNHCR
10. Equoia Coleman: "The Way We Were" If you can remember, this was the girl who got bit by a spider and had to audition at one point on crutches. Now, she is a featured vocalist in a gospel group called the Echoes of Truth.
11. Chip Days: "Song for You" Rock With You" I remember this guy bopping around during the Michael song, and I actually thought he would definitely get through. At the very least, before Carmen. I can't find a thing on him.
12. Julia DeMato: My favorite deer in the head lights contestant who also looks a lot like Lindsey Cardinale. She had a great voice, albeit a limited range, but she just wasn't ready for that big stage. She looked constantly fearful. I saw the Idol tour that year, and she was surprisingly much more confident on stage without the pressure of a competition, she even pulled of a Christina Aguilera song. She had a short job as a judge on Meow Tv. She and her fiancé had a song. She had a bit of a run in with the law, something about alcohol and a couple other choice things and that's the last we've really heard. Hopefully, she's pulled herself together and is ready to get going.
* "Let it Rain" download only 2004
13. Meosha Denton: "How do I Live" No information.
14. Patrick Fortson: "Unbreak my Heart" No information.
15. Jennifer Fuentes: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" After Idol, Jennifer took two years to try an figure out what she really wanted to do with her life. She went to school and saved some money and heard about an audition for Ringling Brothers and went for it. She got the part of Featured Vocalist and co-ringmaster, and she just signed on for another two years. The new 123rd edition of the Circus features a story line, new video screens, and non stop action that kids will adore. Jennifer is the first person you see as the show starts, she says her vocals have vastly improved because of this experience.
*Read an article about HERE.
16. Louis Gazzara: "How am I supposed to Live Without You" Only 18 when he competed on Idol, Louis went on to attend Catholic University. No word yet if he graduated or not, I think this would be year four. Also no word on if he is still singing, other than for a 2002 benefit.
17. Josh Gracin: "Piano Man" "Amazed" I never would have thought this guy would have the kind of success he's had, I may not be a fan (I loathe country) but it couldn't have happened to a nicer, more sincere guy. He had an adorable wife and a cute kid, and he looked absolutely upset that he got to stay and Trencye got voted off. He has had more success than anyone else who didn't reach the top 2, thought if Dream Girls is as amazing as everyone says, Jennifer Hudson might have something to say about that in the near future. His first CD went gold and spawned a number one smash hit and 2 other top ten hits. He contributed to the Herbie Fully Loaded soundtrack and a new Disney compilation cd. Him and his wife are expecting their third child. Grab his newest cd in the new year!
*Self titled ("I Want to Live," "Nothin' to Lose," "Brass Bed. ), All about Y'all in 2007, single "Favorite State of Mind" 2006
* Visit his official site: joshgracin.com
18. Charles Grigsby: "Overjoyed" "You Can't Win" Yes, yes....he sang a song called "You Can't Win" the night he was voted off......leading him to take lead position from Ryan Star who sang "Last Dance" the night she got voted off, for worst song title choice. Elliott could have taken it from Charles, had he got voted off the night he sang "I wanna go home, please let me go home....etc..." Anyway, Charles was an underdog, against all odds kind of guy. He truly sang "Overjoyed" well, apparently even though he had a severe stomach virus at the time. His cd apparently did okay, and you can buy it!
*Self titled EP, sang on "I Aint Ready" 2005
19. Ashley Hartman: "Touch Me in The Morning" The judges gushed about her beauty, and they were right. Check out her web site, because she's definitely Hotty McHotness. After idol, she got a recurring role on a new show that eventually blew up, you might have heard of it, it's called the OC. Her character, Holly Fisher, continued on an episode of season 2. She then landed a role in the horror film "Abominable," had a guest spot on the short lived series "Quintuplets," and began a rocking modeling career. Ashley also started her own talent agency with her friend and it is very successful! Stars like Chad Michael Murray, Hayden Christianson, "Spider Man's" James Franco, Jared Padalecki, and other idol alumni like Kimberly Caldwell, and American's Next Top Model winner Nicole Linkletter, are clients there.
Her official site.
Her agency.
20. Kimberly Kelsey: "It's All Coming Back to me Now" I remember her very well, and I recall thinking she sang pretty well. I can't find a thing on her unless she's become a scientist. If she has, than she's doing very well at it.
21. Patrick Lake: "When I See You Smile" He was the first "rocker" in the history of American Idol, (unless you are among the few who count Nikki McKibbon and Ryan Star as ACTUAL rockers) and I really liked him. He didn't completely wow me vocally or anything at all, but it was SO nice to hear a new sound for Idol amongst all of the pop vocal runs. We wouldn't hear that rockin' of a sound again until 2 season later with the rise of Bo and Constantine. Bo, obviously the only authentic rocker of the bunch. An annoying thing was, that everyone who came in third for their week got brought back to the wild card round EXCEPT Patrick, not cool! Not cool at all. Yeah, and there's no new info.
22. Kimberley Locke: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" "I Can't Make You Love Me" KLo has seriously not stopped working since Idol finished. There seems to be a third place finisher curse, think Nikki, Vonzell....but Kimberley said, whatever! And she's really accomplished so much. Consider the fact, that she is on Tyra this week, and is already taping an episode of the Megan Mullaly show, where she will sing "Jingle Bells" her latest Christmas release. Kimberley has done very well on adult contemporary and single charts. FOUR singles off her first album charted, and 8th World Wonder was number 1! Her holiday release of "Up on the Housetop" was number one for four straight weeks on the AC charts. She has a new single "Change," look for it in January! Her new album "Based on a True Story," should be out for the new year too! She is still signed with Ford Models and is the spokes model for Lane Bryant. She also find time to work with countless charities!
*One Love, "8th World Wonder," "Wrong", "I could" soundtrack to The Perfect Man, many Disney compilation cds, newest release "Supa Woman" on itunes, and Jingle Bells
*Visit her Official site.
23. Vanessa Olivarez: "Out Here on My Own" "You Keep Me Hanging On" Vanessa was eliminated first, completely for no other reason than a bit of scripted rudeness with Ryan. She sang well, performed well, and a lot better than many others on that season. After the show, she went to Canada to pursue a music career. Her single "The One" was number 9 in Canada, and she then starred as the leading role in the Toronto production of "Hairspray." From there, she joined the musical group Butterfly Stitch. They are doing very well! GO LISTEN to their music, it's awesome! I'm so buying the album!
*Single "The One" 2003, "Butterfly Stitch" 2005, "As Vain as You" 2004
*Visit Beautiful Stitch's Site.
24. Bettis Richardson: "Thank You" No information.
25. Jordan Segundo: "For Your Love" Okay, I vaguely remember him, but having just gone to his web site, can I say that he is in fact gorgeous! He is doing extremely well still in Hawaii, and performed for President Bush there, with Kenny Loggins, and at a Laker's Game. He also appears in commercials and is a spokesperson for the Clean Water campaign. He has won numerous awards in Hawaii, and has also delved in reporting and hosting. Aside from all of this he manages to have time to be in school and help with charities.
*self titled- 2004, single "Be the One" 2004
*Visit his official site.
26. Hadas Shalev: "You Light up My Life" She spoke up against Corey during the scandal, and other than that has been singing with the Sunlight Orchestra, unless there is another Hadas Shalev....which I don't think there is who is young, female and sings.
27. Nasheka Siddal: "Open My Heart" No information.
28. Jacob John Smalley: "Anytime" No information.
29. Rickey Smith: "Endless Love" I loved Rickey! I adored him on the tour, and I thought he was so fun with a great set of pipes....alas.....there is no new information...Hercules.....
30. Ruben Studdard: "Ribbon in the Sky" "Super Star" The only person who could have really beat Ruben was Frenchie...and well...we all know how that went down. Ruben has won many awards and his first cd hit the million mark in pre-sales alone. He then put out a successful gospel album. I think we will get to see everything Ruben is capable of on his newest album, "The Return" released in October. He has had 6 singles on the chart and is sure to have more to come. He has also dealt with a lot of his health issues, which is awesome! I was never a huge Ruben fan, but glad to hear all is going well.
*Soulful, I Need an Angel, The Return
*His official site.
31. Trenyce: "Proud Mary" "I Have Nothing" Trenyce was all over the news making all sorts of mysterious broad claims during the Corey Clarke scandal, and I don't think it did her any favors. She has appeared on many talk and news shows and is still continuing her pursuit of a music career. She was really incredible live on the tour, and I hope things start happening for her.
32. George Trice: "Unchained Melody"
*His official site: (No new information)
FOUR PULLED for Wildcard Round:
1. Aliceyn Cooney: "Angel"
2. Janine Falsone: "We Belong"
3. Olivia Mojica: "I Wish My Name was Arbie" Olivia has apparently been very busy. She joined the band "The Watchdogs" in 2004 and is signed with Jaelus Records.
4. Carmen Rasmusen: "You Can't Hurry Love" "Wild Angels" This girl truly was the bane of my existence for this season. Whether it was her pitchy inconsistencies or her eye popping vibrato, her great moments were always surrounded by not so great ones. (She was awfully young though.) She was brought back from complete obscurity and butchered a LeeAnn Rimes song. It was like Simon was picking someone he could make the most horrific comments about. And he did. Recall, "If you were my child singing at a party, I'd tell you to shut up." However, this girl was the sweetest most wholesome thing to ever touch the Idol stage. A member of the Latter Day Saints, she was never allowed to show any skin, and rumor had it that her church had to approve of each outfit.
*She released a self titled cd that Idolhead Ed sent me that I could never listen to all the way through, lest I spontaneously combust. In 2006, she released a second cd "Somewhere." She appeared in a Latter Day Saints version of Pride and Prejudice....I didn't know they made Latter Day versions of classic literature....go figure.... She also appeared on Fear Factor with Anthony Federov, and married the Governor of Utah's son.
Others:
Frenchie Davis- After being disqualified, she went on to Rent on Broadway, did a west coast tour of DreamGirls, and is back on Broadway with Rent again!
Josh Strickland- Tarzan in Original Broadway Cast
Quiana Parler- Cd "Use your Gift" 2005
There you have it folks! Some of these kids are really busy, still in the public eye, and the rest I'm sure are very busy as well, we just don't get to know about it. If you have any new information, email me!
Jlynn206 at aol.com
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