The fertile "American Idol" stable of singers has produced some of the more interesting singers of the past decade. With the show's Season 11 finale less than a week from now, it's high time to first take a look at how the singers from the last season has fared (so far).
Before we crown either Jessica Sanchez or Phillip Phillips, let's see how Season 11 "Idol" champ Scotty McCreery and runner up Lauren Alaina is doing, along with some of the more lucky contestants who didn't win but got a recording contract after all.
Note: The criteria in ranking these singers are based mainly on available sales found on their respective Wikipedia pages, YouTube channels, and Twitter accounts. Period covered was from the time they were eliminated from the show in 2011 until this week. Enjoy! :)
1. Scotty McCreery
The 19-year-old country crooner has proven worthy of his win a year after he bagged the "Idol" title. Scotty's debut album "Clear as Day" (2011) debuted with 197,000 copies in the US and has so far sold more than 1 million copies--a feat that none of the top two contestants of the last two seasons have done. Earlier in Idol's current season, Scotty performed on the show as he received his Platinum award from Jimmy Iovine.
I initially wanted Lauren to win over him last year but it seems that Scotty has won me over. I've enjoyed listening to his album and could not wait for him to release follow-up singles and win several "Best New Artist" awards. While he has gone to the Philippines for a show, along with the rest of the Top 11 last year, I do think he'll be embraced by the Filipino market when he decides to come back on his own.
YouTube Hits:
* "I love you this big" - 8.1 million views
* "The trouble with girls" 7.6 million views
Twitter followers (@ScottyMcCreery): 524,661
2. Lauren Alaina
Lauren's debut album "Wildflower" (2011) is a breath of fresh air. It debuted at #5 on the US albums chart with 69,000 copies. It has sold 278,000 copies so far, according to Soundscan. While this is a healthy number, I was hoping more people would buy it, especially with songs such as the emotional "Like my mother does" and the more upbeat "Georgia Peaches" (which she performed on the show's current season a few weeks back).
I do think Lauren is making some nice moves though. She's been touring as front act for many big names. This should help her get more experience, perhaps write her own material, hone her performing skills, and come back with an even more kick-ass album sometime early next year. I do think the album can carry two more singles which should help it sell at least 400,000 copies when all is said and done.
YouTube Hits:
* "Like my mother does" - 1.8 million views
* "Georgia peaches" - 1.4 million views
Twitter followers (@Lauren_Alaina): 303,598
3. James Durbin
James wasn't one of my favorites during his season, but he is to be admired for working hard, releasing an album faster than third-placer Haley Reinhart (James placed 4th). His album, "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster (2011)" was released in November 2011 and has "cleared 100,000 copies" in the US, as the singer informed viewers of "American Idol" when he appeared to perform earlier in Season 11.
Jame's "Season 10 Highlights: James Durbin" has sold 71,000 copies in the US. I'm not going to lie and say I see a bright future for James, but he needs to work a little harder if he wants to stay around for album number two. Hit singles wouldn't hurt him either. It's a good thing he continues touring, a great way to introduce himself to potential fans who may not have seen his run on the show.
YouTube hits:
* "Stand up" (Trailer) - 21,700 views
* "Love me bad" (Trailer) - 39,200 views
Twitter followers (@DurbinRock): 167,387
4. Pia Toscano
When Pia was eliminated at 9th place, she went right at work, releasing a single, "This time," just weeks after her "shocking" exit. Out of the Season 10 graduates who has released an official single, Pia is the only one who did not perform this season. Her song, "This time," has sold 65,000 copies.
While she is the first of the Season 10 contestants to release new material, it's interesting to note that she hasn't yet released a full studio album. In her Wikipedia page, it says her debut album should be out by "summer 2012." Well, it's summer now and there's no concrete release date for it yet. If she does not get a hit single out of that album, she'll be one of the many "Idol" contestants who have fallen into the blackhole of the music industry.
YouTube hit:
* "This time" - 7.0 million views
Twitter followers (@PiaToscano):202,405
5. Haley Reinhart
Haley remains to be my favorite contestant from "Idol" season 10. Her album, "Listen up!," is scheduled for release today (May 22) in the US. Sales of her debut single, "Free" (which she performed earlier in the current season), has been relatively soft at 61,000 copies. Hopefully, sales will pick-up with publicity from the album's release.
In 2011, Haley released "Baby it's cold outside," a Christmas duet with Casey Abrams. It has sold 25,000 copies. Her "Season 10 Highlights: Haley Reinhart" has sold 59,000 copies in the US. I do hope we see good numbers from the first week sales of "Listen up!." I see the album racking up at least 20,000 copies, which should place it in the top 25 of the albums chart. To make it really big, though, I believe Haley would benefit from a collaboration with a major star ala "No Air" by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown.
YouTube hits:
* "Free" - 985,000 views
* "Baby, it's cold outside" - 292,455 views
Twitter followers (@HaleyReinhart): 186,372
6. Stefano
I wasn't sure if Stefano (who has dropped his last name, Langone) would get a record deal after he placed 7th on Season 10. But thank God he did. His single, "I'm on a roll (feat New Boyz & Rok Mafia)" was released in April 24. The same week, he performed it in Season 11, which helped it sell 20,000 copies in its first week. No dates have been set for an album release date but it shouldn't be later than August.
Randy Jackson, on one of Stefano's performances in Season 10, said that Stefano has the most radio-friendly voice ready to record an album. I believe him on this one. With good looks and an even better voice, I do see big things for Stefano. His song, "I'm on a roll," in my opinion, is the best first single among Season 10 contestants.
YouTube hit:
* "I'm on a roll" (Lyric Video) - 261,152 views
Twitter followers (@Stefano): 90,337
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- I feel the "American Idol" fever for the first time ever
* Scotty McCreery photo from dragexius.blogspot.com
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