Now that 2007 is coming to a close, I thought it might be interesting to try and figure out which former American Idol contestant had the best year -- was it Carrie, with all her awards success? Chris, with his huge-selling album? Fantasia, who took Broadway by storm?
I think we can all agree that the best year was had by Jennifer Hudson -- an Golden Globe, Oscar, and SAG award; a role in the Sex and the City movie; a role opposite fellow Oscar winner Forrest Whitaker in Winged Creatures; IT girl status; an album on the way; and now the news that she will star opposite Queen Latifah in The Secret Life of Bees. Yeah, pretty hard to top that.
But who comes next?
Of course I want to know what you think as well, so please take the poll below!
Here are my picks:
1. Carrie Underwood
This is the year Carrie Underwood went from successful Idol alum to complete and total superstar. Her music crossed over from country to pop; she picked up every award imaginable; she dated high profile, very goodlooking guys; and she released a second CD without skipping a beat. There was no topping Ms. U. this year.
2. Chris Daughtry
His album is, as of now, the biggest seller of 2007 (despite the fact that it was released in '06), and he recently picked up 3 American Music Awards and 4 Grammy nominations. Yeah, he's rockin' it.
3. Fantasia
'Tasia didn't just appear on Broadway this year -- she took it by storm. Totally rejuvenating The Color Purple, she also released her sophomore CD, had a couple of hit singles on the R&B charts, and picked up 3 Grammy nods in the process. Not too shabby.
4. Kelly Clarkson
Sure, My December didn't have nearly the success of it's predecessor Breakaway, but it was just certified platinum and spawned a Top 25 single in "Never Again." She also released a duet with Reba McEntire of "Because of You" that went to the top of the country chart and earned her a Grammy nomination, and embarked on a sold-out tour this fall. All in all, not quite the disaster of a year some pundits would have you believe.
5. Kellie Pickler
Surprising just about everyone, Kellie released a CD that people actually wanted to listen to, and she's produced three chart-ing country songs, in addition to touring. Throw in a couple of award nominations, and all of a sudden this dumb blonde seems pretty smart.
6. Elliott Yamin
At this time last year it wasn't clear Elliott would even release a CD, but now that he has, he's become the second most successful alum from '05. The album has gone Gold, and debut single "Wait for You" was a Top 5 smash.
Outside the Top 6:
Katharine McPhee (disappointing CD sales, but will make movie debut early next year)
Clay Aiken (where are ya, Clay?)
Tamyra Gray (getting good reviews for her work in the Broadway musical Rent)
Taylor Hicks (very disappointing CD sales)
Bo Bice (released a sophomore CD to very little fanfare)
Poll closes December 31, 2007 at 11:59PM
Click to visit Idol Thought's AMERICAN IDOL CENTRAL for show recaps and rankings, news on former contestants, best-of lists and much more
Friday, December 21, 2007
Which Former Idol Had the Best 2007?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
23 comments:
Taylor Hicks has had a TERRIFIC year, dude! Where have you been? Check out www.soulthing.blogspot.com for EVERYTHING Taylor's been up to! Remember, the album has been certified platinum and was ranked #74 on the Year End Top 200 Totals from Billboard Magazine. Disappointing my ass! LOL! He's currently wowing Indonesia on the Asian Idol Finale and tearing up the city of Makati in the Philippines with 3 concerts!
Get real, dude! Taylor is here to stay my friend!
Bo Bice's sophomore CD "See The Light" kicks major a**. Bo wrote all the songs... and EVERY song on that album is AWESOME! I can't say that about any other CD in my entire collection. The CD is available at Walmart or as a download everywhere online. His management dropped the ball on the promotion, but that album definitely deserves attention!
Bo's music video of his single, "Witness", was #1 on VH1 Top 20 Countdown for three weeks in a row. Check it out at vh1.com or on YouTube!
Taylor had a INCREDIBLE year! He had 2 successful cross-country tours, a platinum CD, a DVD waiting to be released, a successful autobiography, and is now touring the Phillipines, and writing his sophomore CD. This man doesn't count success in CDs sold, but in how happy he's made his fans...he has millions of very happy fans.
The man,the voice,the music ! Taylor Hicks easily scores my vote.His album was a huge success,his concerts were outstanding.This is an artist who is just about the music, the key word being great music!
2007 was a great year for Bo Bice. Besides releasing his sophomore album "See The Light", he opened his own Studio, Label and Publishing Co. He also wrote the theme song for Blades of Glory comedy movie. Not too shabby for this hippie rocker dude.
I think we can all agree that the best year was had by Jennifer Hudson--
Not by a long shot. Carrie is clearly no. 1 this year. She sold 3 million copies of SH and CR, had 3 hit songs including BHC which was mega successful, won 2 grammys including 1 of the big four for best new artist plus got noms for next year, announced a co-headlining tour which is unprecedented for idol, opened for big stars, dominated the country awards shows, got on the Enchanted soundtrack, starred on idol gives back/finale/ and guest appearance, Carrie Music Television takeover, Movies Rock gig, and stuff like that.
Jennifer did well but followed in others footsteps who made Dreamgirls. Carrie owned 2007 doing original material and dominated all year long.
"Carrie owned 2007 doing original material and dominated all year long."......That might be true but Jennifer Hudson should be an option for this poll!
Clay is a VERY busy guy, he is narrating AI2 Rewind, and got a very good credit for his work. They are showing a lot of stuff not seen in the orginal season2.He also Released a CD in September and did a summer tour.He also appeared on Are you Smarter Than a Fith Grader and won $300,000.00 for his Buble/Aiken Foundation.
He filmed a TV special in November that will air Christmas Day called The Capital One Holiday on Ice in Las Vegas. His Christmas tour finishes up tonight, 12/22/07.After the Christmas Tour wraps up he is heading to Mexico with UNICEF, he is spending Christmas there to help flood victims.
He starts He starts Spam-o-Lot Janurary 18th. The box office said Spam-o-lot sold in excess for 1 million dollars the first week after they announced Clay would be joining the show. Clay also sold out a whole train Jan 18th between Raleigh and NY.
Then we have the new CD in the spring, and then another Summer tour. 2008 is going to be a great year for Clay, Clay is doing great, and his star is still shinning very brightly.
Bo Bice probably has a very little fanfare but a very loving, caring and grateful one. In my opinion and based on the circumstances 2007 was a good year.
You put Elliot into successful CD sales but not Taylor? WTF?? I love both of them, but Taylor WAY outsold Elliot...shame on you for portraying the WINNER of AI in such a poor light....it's no wonder he can't get a break with all the negativity that just ISN'T true...you've now joined the ranks as part of the problem, not part of the solution ~ how bout checking those facts before you post them dude...
Bo's CD is great too...
Don't count out Bo Bice. He has released an amazing, hot southern rock CD. See The Light is the real Bo. It is the clearest, uncanned CD I've ever listened too. He has'nt had any promotion and yet his video, Witness, has been #1 for three weeks on VH1. Bo wrote every song and produced it is his own studio. Bo also sang Blades of Glory for the movie. Bo will have a 30 year career and we're so lucky.
I would definitely say success is based on definition. Not all these people are trying to do the same things, therefore trying to compare them is crazy. Some didn't put out a CD in 2007, so of course their sales are less. Some are recording, so their time is taken up.
I to think Carrie and Jennifer had great years and was thrilled for both of them. I think Elliott did well since many thought he may have been left out and would disappear. Taylor seemed to get little credit yet was touring a bunch, pulling in a few thousand for concert shows while Chris was still just doing a few hundred at bars. Yes, Chris is doing great now, but it took a while.
Kellie P continuest to show up places and was set to tour with some big names, which will be great. Kelly C -- well, the CD wasn't what it should have been and a tour was cancelled, but apparently Reba's husband plans to reinvent her as the nice next door girl again, so we'll see. Clay has just completed his second tour of the year, and is leaving on his 2nd Unicef trip of the year. While that is not "music" related and therefore doesn't interest some people, it does not mean he is doing nothing, as that work means as much to him as singing and touring. He also did a huge gala that raised several hundred thousand for his foundation in the spring as well as the TV celebrity edition to raise money, and he made more than any other celebrity. Plus work on the new CD and Spamalot. Sorry you don't see that as being busy for a year. Since you were looking for where he had been, you just need to look elsewhere besides the goofy award shows for him. Not is not really his thing, as he has shown for several years now. Guess you also missed those Kimmel and GMA appearances talking about Unicef.
Who earned the most money as a SINGER? Who is doing well touring? CD sales make the record label money but not the artists. Most people don't know that.
How do you measure success? Is it endorsing pimple cream? Is it being in demand for TV, and I don't mean commercials? Is it doing multiple concert tours each year?
What criteria are you using exactly?
My goodness, the Taylor and Bo fans are a defensive group! I thought it was Clay fans that were notorious for this kind of behaviour.
Hahahha The Soul Patrol are spamming this poll because it is the only poll they can force Taylor even on never mind win. You're hysterical. Will you all never learn you can't force Taylor down peoples throats. He is a joke and your continually spamming votes for him makes him look all the more foolish. 2007 belongs to Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry!
Daughtry fans are not going to spam a vote that means nothing.
3 AMAS, 11 Billboard Awards, 5 Grammy Nominations four for them 1 for the producer of the CD, 2 Peoples Choice Award Nominations. These are the important things. Not this poll.
How could a loser like Taylor Hicks win a poll for having the best year when he's only selling about 200 CD's a week, and is giving free concerts in malls now???? All I can say is that his 10 fans must be bored and spamming this poll. The sad part is that they actually believe that if Taylor wins in a poll that it actually means that he's really a success no matter how few cd's he sells. Oh well, this is just another reason why I don't vote in polls! Daughtry and Carrie had the best year in 2007, and that is a FACT!
Taylor Hicks is a wonderful talent and 2008 looks to be a banner year for him - with the release of a spiffy new DVD "Whomp At The Warfield", filmed at the legendary Warfield Theater in SF. It will be out in the Spring of 2008, followed by a kick-butt new CD and an Asian and Europeon tour. He was just awarded the "Outstanding Achievement Award" from the folks at the Liberty Bowl and will be getting the "American Music Award" from the Alabama Hall of Fame in February. Love Taylor and can't wait to see him rock in 2008 in style! :)
Well, when Taylor wins anything, Daughtry fans seem to show up and write mean words for all to read, which I hope Chris Daughtry himself does not condone. It goes along with their "Daughtry Domination Plan" that I see them write about on fan boards. Daughtry is doing well, so why not just enjoy it without throwing his list of awards around, and making degrading comments about others. It sounds defensive to me. There is plenty of success to spread around for all of the Season Five Finalists. It was a talented group! The vote is over, and we know who won the title, and for good reason.
I agree with the earlier poster who said success can be measured in many different ways. Be it Carrie and Daughtry's incredible sales and awards year, Clay's charitable work, Taylor's concert tour success, Jennifer Hudson's leap to movie stardom, and on and on. There is more than one way to measure success.
Does an entertainer have to guage his success ONLY on the number of CDs sold? Taylor has had more success than he ever thought was possible. He just received the "Outstanding Achievement Award" from the Liberty Bowl, which is "presented to an individual or group who has exhibited excellence in their chosen field. Some past recipients include Little Richard, B.B. King, Lou Rawls, Clint Black and Alabama." He will be honored by his home state in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in February. He's just got back from Asia...and on & on & on... this man hardly ever stops. Chris and Carrie have had fantastic years, but nothing can beat the "hardest-working man in show biz". (and no, I'm not spamming the site with votes...)
Taylor has always been slammed by Idol bigwigs and the media ever since his win in May 2006, there are a good many people out there who don't "get" him or his style. Success isn't always measured in album sales, music videos on MTV or major awards, and Taylor's successes as a performing artist with two hit US tours and a successful mini-run in Asia prove that. He'll be around for many years to come, you'll see
Some of you Taylor fanatics are hilarious. Sure, he is busy and earning small awards. But, come on...did you get 3 frickin' grammys? Besides awards, Some Hearts hit 6 million sales and Carnival Ride hit 2 million.
Carrie's awards in 2007:
People's Choice Awards
•Favorite Country Song: "Before He Cheats" (Won)
•Favorite Female Singer (Won)
Grammy Awards
•Best New Artist (Won)
•Best Female Country Vocal Performance: "Jesus, Take The Wheel" (Won)
•Best Country Song: "Jesus, Take The Wheel" (Won)
CMT Music Awards
•Video Of The Year: "Before He Cheats" (Won)
•Female Video Of The Year: "Before He Cheats" (Won)
Academy of Country Music Awards
•Top Female Vocalist (Won)
•Album of The Year: "Some Hearts" (Won)
•Video of The Year: "Before He Cheats" (Won)
Country Music Association Awards
•Female Vocalist of the Year (Won)
•Single Of The Year: "Before He Cheats" (Won)
American Music Awards
•Favorite Country Female Artist (Won)
•Favorite Country Album: "Some Hearts" (Won)
•T-Mobile Text-In Award (Artist of the Year) (Won)
Post a Comment