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This article provides a list of albums recorded by alumni of the popular American televised singing competition American Idol in the post-Idol career. It only lists main albums released in the alumni's post-Idol career. American Idol compilations, individual artist's pre-Idol recordings, EPs, and compilation albums are not listed here, however, the numbers in parentheses may include sales from these releases. For complete list of releases including those not listed here for each artist, please see their individual discography pages (linked here in the total number in parentheses). Sales figure listed are for U.S. only.

Contents

Artists with RIAA certified albums

This first list only includes contestants with at least one certified album for units shipped in U.S. (Gold, Platinum, and/or Multi-platinum). Total albums sold listed in this pages for each artist is shown first. The numbers in parentheses are for sales for all albums including EPs and compilations which may not be listed here.

Idol Contestant
Total Sales		 First Album Second Album Third Album Fourth Album Fifth Album Sixth Album
1. Carrie Underwood
(Season 4, Winner)
13,062,000		 Some Hearts
(November 15, 2005)
Arista Nashville
7,204,000[1]
7x Platinum[2]
Peak: #2		 Carnival Ride
(October 23, 2007)
Arista Nashville
3,263,000[1]
3x Platinum[2]
Peak: #1		 Play On
(November 3, 2009)
Arista Nashville
2,109,000[1]
2x Platinum[2]
Peak: #1		 Blown Away
(May 1, 2012)
Arista Nashville
486,000[1]
N/A
Peak: #1
2. Kelly Clarkson
(Season 1, Winner)
11,545,000
(11,563,000)[3]		 Thankful
(April 15, 2003)
RCA
2,747,000[4]
2x Platinum[5]
Peak: #1		 Breakaway
(November 30, 2004)
RCA
6,219,000[6]
6x Platinum[5]
Peak: #3		 My December
(June 26, 2007)
RCA
829,000[7]
Platinum[5]
Peak: #2		 All I Ever Wanted
(March 10, 2009)
RCA
944,000[8]
N/A
Peak: #1		 Stronger
(October 24, 2011)
RCA
806,000[1]
Gold[9]
Peak: #2
3. Chris Daughtry
(as Daughtry)
(Season 5, 4th Place)
6,652,000
(6,664,000)[10]		 Daughtry
(November 21, 2006)
RCA
4,881,000[8]
4x Platinum[11]
Peak: #1		 Leave This Town
(July 14, 2009)
RCA
1,329,000[8]
Platinum[11]
Peak: #1		 Break the Spell
(November 21, 2011)
RCA
442,000[1]
Gold[12]
Peak: #8
4. Clay Aiken
(Season 2, Runner-Up)
4,969,000
(5,032,000)		 Measure of a Man
(October 14, 2003)
RCA
2,785,000[13]
2x Platinum[14]
Peak: #1		 Merry Christmas with Love
(November 16, 2004)
RCA
1,416,000[15]
Platinum[14]
Peak: #4		 A Thousand Different Ways
(September 19, 2006)
RCA
531,000[13]
Gold[14]
Peak: #2		 On My Way Here
(May 6, 2008)
RCA
165,000[13]
N/A
Peak: #4		 Tried and True
(June 1, 2010)
Decca/Universal
68,000[16]
N/A
Peak: #9		 Steadfast
(March 26, 2012)
Decca/Universal
4,000[17]
N/A
Peak:#120
5. Fantasia Barrino
(Season 3, Winner)
2,842,000[10]
 Free Yourself
(November 23, 2004)
J Records
1,821,000[4]
Platinum[18]
Peak: #8		 Fantasia
(December 12, 2006)
J Records
530,000[19]
Gold[18]
Peak: #19		 Back to Me
(August 24, 2010)
J Records
458,000[20]
N/A
Peak: #2
6. Ruben Studdard
(Season 2, Winner)
2,579,000
(2,582,500)		 Soulful
(December 9, 2003)
J Records
1,791,000[21]
Platinum[22]
Peak: #1		 I Need an Angel
(November 23, 2004)
J Records
483,000[23]
Gold[22]
Peak: #20		 The Return
(October 17, 2006)
J Records/19
238,000[23]
N/A
Peak: #8		 Love Is
(May 19, 2009)
Hickory Records
50,000[24]
N/A
Peak: #36		 Letters from Birmingham
(March 13, 2012)
Shanachie
17,000[25]
N/A
Peak: #150
7. David Cook
(Season 7, Winner)
1,443,000
(1,448,800)		 David Cook
(November 18, 2008)
RCA
1,325,000[26]
Platinum[27]
Peak: #3		 This Loud Morning
(June 28, 2011)
RCA
118,000[8]
N/A
Peak: #7
8. Kellie Pickler
(Season 5, 6th Place)
1,401,000
 Small Town Girl
(October 31, 2006)
BNA Records
877,000[20]
Gold[28]
Peak: #9		 Kellie Pickler
(September 30, 2008)
BNA Records
451,000[20]
N/A
Peak: #9		 100 Proof
(January 24, 2012)
BNA Records
73,000[1]
N/A
Peak: #7
9. Jennifer Hudson
(Season 3, 7th Place)
1,280,000[10]		 Jennifer Hudson
(September 30, 2008)
Arista Records
839,000[4]
Gold[29]
Peak: #2		 I Remember Me
(March 22, 2011)
Arista Records
421,000[30]
Gold[29]
Peak: #2
10. Jordin Sparks
(Season 6, Winner)
1,222,000
(1,300,000)[10]		 Jordin Sparks
(November 20, 2007)
Jive
1,045,000[4]
Platinum[31]
Peak: #10		 Battlefield
(July 21, 2009)
Jive
177,000[32]
N/A
Peak: #7
11. David Archuleta
(Season 7, Runner-Up)
1,078,000
(1,108,000)[10]
 David Archuleta
(November 11, 2008)
Jive Records
765,000[33]
Gold[34]
Peak: #2		 Christmas from the Heart
(October 13, 2009)
Jive Records
246,000[35]
N/A
Peak: #30		 The Other Side of Down
(October 5, 2010)
Jive Records
67,000[33]
N/A
Peak: #13
12. Scotty McCreery
(Season 10, Winner)
1,059,000
(1,302,000)		 Clear as Day
(October 4, 2011)
Mercury Nashville
1,059,000[1]
Platinum[36]
Peak: #1
13. Adam Lambert
(Season 8, Runner-up)
938,000
(1,118,000)[10]		 For Your Entertainment
(November 23, 2009)
RCA
838,000[8]
Gold[37]
Peak: #3		 Trespassing
(May 15, 2012)[38]
RCA
100,000
N/A
Peak: #1
14. Josh Gracin
(Season 2, 4th Place)
797,000[10]		 Josh Gracin
(June 15, 2004)
Lyric Street
703,000[32]
Gold[39]
Peak: #11		 We Weren't Crazy
(April 1, 2008)
Lyric Street
86,000[20]
N/A
Peak: #33		 Redemption
(November 8, 2011)
Average Joe's
4,000[40]
N/A
Peak: N/A
15. Taylor Hicks
(Season 5, Winner)
757,000
(780,000)[41]		 Taylor Hicks
(December 12, 2006)
Arista Records
705,000[4]
Platinum[42]
Peak: #2		 The Distance
(March 10, 2009)
Modern Whomp Records
52,000[32]
N/A
Peak: #58
16. Bo Bice
(Season 4, Runner-Up)
746,000
(755,000)[10]		 The Real Thing
(December 13, 2005)
RCA
673,000[4]
Gold[43]
Peak: #4		 See the Light
(October 23, 2007)
StratArt
62,000[44]
N/A
Peak: #150		 3
(May 18, 2010)
Saguaro Road
11,000[45]
N/A
Peak: #154
17. Elliott Yamin
(Season 5, 3rd Place)
696,000[10]		 Elliott Yamin
(March 20, 2007)
Hickory Records
RED Distribution
527,000[46]
Gold[47]
Peak: #3		 Sounds of the Season
(October 14, 2007)
Hickory Records
81,000[48]
N/A
Peak: #32		 My Kind of Holiday
(October 7, 2008)
TRP Records,
Fontana Distribution
27,000[49]
N/A
Peak: #162		 Fight For Love
(May 5, 2009)
Hickory Records
49,000[46]
N/A
Peak: #26		 Let's Get to What's Real
(March 27, 2012)
E1/Purpose Music Group
2,000[50]
N/A
Peak: N/A

Artists without RIAA certified albums

The following is a list of other American Idol alumni album sales and reflects that commercial success can be achieved through association with American Idol and with post-Idol promotion, although the degree of success varies considerably. This list only includes contestants who have numbers available, and again does not include EPs, American Idol compilations, or pre-Idol recordings, numbers in parentheses however may include sales from these releases:

Rank Former Contestant Total Sales Albums
18. Mandisa
(Season 5, 9th Place)
 587,000
(590,000)
19. Katharine McPhee
(Season 5, Runner-Up)
 456,000[10]
20. Bucky Covington
(Season 5, 8th Place)
 433,000[10]
21. Kris Allen
(Season 8, Winner)
 347,000
(365,000)[10]
22. Blake Lewis
(Season 6, Runner-Up)
 319,000
(372,000)[10]
23. Lauren Alaina
(Season 10, Runner-up)
 281,000[1]
(383,000)
24. Kimberley Locke
(Season 2, 3rd Place)
 241,000[10]
25. William Hung
(Season 3, Auditioner)
 240,000[41]
26. Crystal Bowersox
(Season 9, Runner-up)
 205,000[60]
(222,000)[10]
27. Danny Gokey
(Season 8, 3rd Place)
 204,000[61]
28. Diana DeGarmo
(Season 3, Runner-Up)
 168,000[62]
29. Lee DeWyze
(Season 9, Winner)
 149,000[63]
(171,000)
30. Justin Guarini
(Season 1, Runner-Up)
 146,000
(146,000)
31. Tamyra Gray
(Season 1, 4th Place)
 123,000[57]
32. James Durbin
(Season 10, 4th Place)
 109,000[64]
(180,000)
33. Allison Iraheta
(Season 8, 4th Place)
 103,000[65]
34. Jason Castro
(Season 7, 4th Place)
 72,000
(85,000)
35. Chris Sligh
(Season 6, 10th Place)
 64,000
(65,700)
  • Running Back to You (2008) #190 - 54,000[67]
  • The Anatomy of Broken (2010) did not chart - 10,000[68]
36. LaToya London
(Season 3, 4th Place)
 58,000[57]
37. Phil Stacey
(Season 6, 6th Place)
 58,000
(58,500)
38. Mario Vazquez
(Season 4, Top 12)
 56,000[69]
39. Melinda Doolittle
(Season 6, 3rd Place)
 53,000[56]
(56,400)
40. Carly Smithson
(as a part of We Are The Fallen)
(Season 7, 6th Place)
 41,000[70]
41. Casey James
(Season 9, 3rd Place)
 38,000[1]
42. George Huff
(Season 3, 5th Place)
 33,000
(52,000)
  • Miracles (2005) did not chart - 29,000 [57]
  • George Huff (2009) did not chart - 4,000 [56]
43. Kristy Lee Cook
(Season 7, 7th Place)
 32,000[71]
44. Brooke White
(Season 7, 5th Place)
 31,000
(48,000)[72]
45. Constantine Maroulis
(Season 4, 6th Place)
 25,000[74]
(32,500)
46. Paris Bennett
(Season 5, 5th Place)
 22,300
47. R. J. Helton
(Season 1, 5th Place)
 22,000[57]
48. John Stevens
(Season 3, 6th Place)
 21,000[57]
  • Red (2005) did not chart
49. Michael Johns
(Season 7, 8th Place)
 20,000[56]
50. Haley Reinhart
(Season 10, 3th Place)
 20,000[1]
51. Jasmine Trias
(Season 3, 3rd Place)
 14,000[57]
52. Ace Young
(Season 5, 7th Place)
 10,000[44]
53. LaKisha Jones
(Season 6, 4th Place)
 7,000[56]
54. Jim Verraros
(Season 1, 9th Place)
 4,300[57]
  • Rollercoaster (2005) did not chart
55. Carmen Rasmusen
(Season 2, 6th Place)
 3,100[57]
56. Kimberly Caldwell
(Season 2, 7th place)
 3,000[53]
57. Ayla Brown
(Season 5, Top 16)
 3,000[76]
58. Corey Clark
(Season 2, 9th Place)
 2,600[57]
59. Tim Halperin
(Season 10, Semifinal)
 2,000[77]
  • Rise and Fall (2011) did not chart
60. Jon Peter Lewis
(Season 3, 8th Place)
 1,600
  • Stories from Hollywood (2006) did not chart - 1,100[57]
  • Break the Silence (2008) did not chart - 500 [78]
61. Michael Sarver
(Season 8, 10th Place)
 1,000[79]
  • Michael Sarver (2010) did not chart
62. Josiah Leming
(Season 7, Hollywood round)
 1,000[45]
  • Come On Kid (2010) did not chart

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Mansfield, Brian (2012-05-30). "Haley Reinhart, Kris Allen albums make their chart debuts". Idol Chatter (USA Today). http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/05/haley-reinhart-kris-allen-albums-make-their-chart-debuts/1. Retrieved May 30, 2012. 
  2. ^ a b c RIAA Search - Carrie Underwood
  3. ^ Trust, Gary (2011-10-23). "Ask Billboard: 'Idol'-izing Carrie Underwood, Lauren Alaina". Ask Billboard. Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/column/chartbeat/ask-billboard-idol-izing-carrie-underwood-1005430162.story#/column/chartbeat/ask-billboard-idol-izing-carrie-underwood-1005430162.story. Retrieved October 24, 2011. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Washington Post 05-23-2011
  5. ^ a b c RIAA Search - Kelly Clarkson
  6. ^ Grein, Paul (2012-03-16). "Chart Watch Extra: Top Albums Of Last 10 Years". Yahoo! Music. http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-extra-top-albums-last-10-years-181452729.html. Retrieved 2014-03-21. 
  7. ^ Keith Caulfield (March 23, 2012). "Chart Moves: Gotye's Album Hits Top 10, Kelly Clarkson's Strong Sales, Florence + the Machine's 'Smash' Single". Billboard. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/chart-moves-gotye-s-album-hits-top-10-kelly-1006555552.story. 
  8. ^ a b c d e Mansfield, Brian (2012-05-02). "'Idol' album sales: Who's up, who's down?". Idol Chatter (USA Today). http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/05/idol-album-sales-kelly-clarkson-carrie-underwood/1. Retrieved May 2, 2012. 
  9. ^ "American album certifications – Kelly Clarkson – Stronger". Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%22Stronger%22.  If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "American Idol's All Time Top 24 (2012)". Billboard.com. February 28, 2012. http://www.billboard.com/column/reality-check/top-24-american-idols-of-all-time-1004088662.story#/features/top-24-american-idols-of-all-time-1004088662.story. 
  11. ^ a b RIAA Search - Daughtry
  12. ^ "American album certifications – Daughtry – Break the Spell". Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%22Break+the+Spell%22.  If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  13. ^ a b c d e f Idol Chatter 01-19-2011 01-12-2011 numbers posted in comments section of Idol chatter 01-19-2011
  14. ^ a b c RIAA Search - Clay Aiken
  15. ^ Idol Chatter 12-29-2010
  16. ^ Mansfield, Brian (2012-01-25). "Kelly Clarkson's 'Stronger' hits the half-million mark". Idol Chatter (USA Today). http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/01/kelly-clarksons-stronger-hits-the-half-million-mark/1. Retrieved January 25, 2012. 
  17. ^ Mansfield, Brian (2012-04-04). "McCreery's 'Clear as Day' takes the top 'Idol' album spot". Idol Chatter (USA Today). http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/04/mccreerys-clear-as-day-takes-the-top-idol-album-spot/1. Retrieved April 04, 2012. 
  18. ^ a b RIAA Search - Fantasia
  19. ^ Fantasia Moves Forward Despite Personal Challenges
  20. ^ a b c d Idol Chatter 08-03-2011
  21. ^ Ask Billboard: Idol Worship
  22. ^ a b RIAA Search - Ruben Studdard
  23. ^ a b Ruben Studdard Reconnects With 'Love Is'
  24. ^ Does Winning Idol Even Matter Any More
  25. ^ "‘American Idol’ Finalists: From Sanjaya to Taylor Hicks, Where Are They Now?". The Daily Beast. 2012-05-21. http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2012/05/21/american-idol-finalists-from-sanjaya-to-taylor-hicks-where-are-they-now-photos.html#slide71. Retrieved May 21, 2012. 
  26. ^ Yahoo Chart Watch 07-06-2011
  27. ^ RIAA Search - David Cook
  28. ^ RIAA Search - Kellie Pickler
  29. ^ a b RIAA Search - Jennifer Hudson
  30. ^ "BILLBOARD BLAST: TOP 200 BEST SELLING US ALBUMS OF 2011". This Goes In. 2012-01-05. http://www.thisgoesin.com/billboard-blast-top-200-best-selling-us-albums-of-2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012. 
  31. ^ RIAA Search — Jordin Sparks
  32. ^ a b c Idol Chatter 12-08-2010
  33. ^ a b Chart Watch 02-20-2011
  34. ^ RIAA Search - David Archuleta
  35. ^ Idol Chatter 01-07-2011
  36. ^ "American album certifications – Scotty McCreery – Clear as Day". Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%22Clear+as+Day%22.  If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  37. ^ RIAA search - Adam Lambert
  38. ^ http://www.rcarecords.com/news/global-superstar-adam-lambert-release-sophomore-album-trespassing-may-15th-2012
  39. ^ RIAA Search - Josh Gracin
  40. ^ Mansfield, Brian (2011-11-30). "Daughtry's 129,000 sales 'Spell' a top-ten debut". Idol Chatter (USA Today). http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2011/11/daughtrys-129000-sales-spells-a-top-ten-debut/1. Retrieved November 30, 2011. 
  41. ^ a b Top 24 American Idols Of All Time
  42. ^ RIAA Search - Taylor Hicks
  43. ^ RIAA Search - Bo Bice
  44. ^ a b c Idol Chatter 12-31-08
  45. ^ a b c Idol Chatter 09-22-2010
  46. ^ a b Idol Chatter 03-04-2010
  47. ^ RIAA Search - Elliott Yamin
  48. ^ Idol Chatter 1-16-2008
  49. ^ a b Idol Chatter 03-12-2009
  50. ^ Mansfield, Brian (2012-04-18). "James Durbin sales up 520 perfect after 'Idol' appearance". Idol Chatter (USA Today). http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/04/james-durbin-sales-up-520-perfect-after-idol-appearance/1. Retrieved April 18, 2012. 
  51. ^ a b Idol Chatter 03-30-2011
  52. ^ Idol Chatter 12-22-2010
  53. ^ a b Chatter 04-27-2011"
  54. ^ "‘American Idol’ Finalists: From Sanjaya to Taylor Hicks, Where Are They Now?". The Daily Beast. 2012-05-21. http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2012/05/21/american-idol-finalists-from-sanjaya-to-taylor-hicks-where-are-they-now-photos.html#slide76. Retrieved May 21, 2012. 
  55. ^ Keith Caulfield (May 30, 2012). "John Mayer Earns Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/column/chartbeat#/news/john-mayer-earns-third-no-1-album-on-billboard-1007183752.story. Retrieved May 20, 3012. 
  56. ^ a b c d e f Idol Chatter 01-15-2010
  57. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Idol Chatter 1-10-2008
  58. ^ Idol Chatter 7-30-2008
  59. ^ Idol Chatter 12-10-2008
  60. ^ American Idol: With Scotty McCreery's Successful Debut, Did Universal Learn From Sony's Mistakes?
  61. ^ Idol Chatter 03-16-2011
  62. ^ Chart Watch Extra: The American Idol Alumni Association
  63. ^ "‘American Idol’ Finalists: From Sanjaya to Taylor Hicks, Where Are They Now?". The Daily Beast. 2012-05-21. http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2012/05/21/american-idol-finalists-from-sanjaya-to-taylor-hicks-where-are-they-now-photos.html#slide77. Retrieved May 21, 2012. 
  64. ^ Mansfield, Brian (2012-04-25). "'Idol' album sales: Who's up, who's down?". Idol Chatter (USA Today). http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/04/idol-album-sales-whos-up-whos-down/1. Retrieved April 25, 2012. 
  65. ^ USA Today. August 18, 2010. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/08/no-idol-albums-in-the-top-40-this-week/1. 
  66. ^ Idol Chatter 11-09-2010
  67. ^ Idol Chatter 10-14-2009
  68. ^ Idol Chatter 02-23-2011
  69. ^ Billboard 20 Jan 2007
  70. ^ WE ARE THE FALLEN: First Episode Of 'Interrogation Video Blog' - Sep. 7, 2010
  71. ^ Idol Chatter 01-07-2009
  72. ^ Bonus sales numbers -- and free downloads, too
  73. ^ Mansfield, Brian (2011-08-31). "Four Season 10 Idols stay in the top 200". Idol Chatter (USA Today). http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2011/08/four-season-10-idols-stay-in-the-top-200/1. Retrieved August 31, 2011. 
  74. ^ Idol Chatter 5-21-2008
  75. ^ Idol Chatter 6-11-2008 archived post
  76. ^ Idol Chatter 6-25-2008
  77. ^ Mansfield, Brian (10-05-2011). "The Billboard 200: Where are the Idols?". Idol Chatter (USA Today). http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2011/10/the-billboard-200-where-are-the-idols/1. Retrieved October 5, 2011. 
  78. ^ Idol Chatter 8-20-2008
  79. ^ Idol Chatter 08-04-2010

External links
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