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Carrie Underwood Ranks Among 'American Idol' Elite

Carrie UnderwoodAfter nearly nine full seasons of winners, finalists and hopefuls, 'American Idol' has produced some of music's hottest stars. And now we know which of the show's alumni reign as most successful in terms of combined album sales, individual song sales and radio airplay. Billboard has officially ranked the 24 most successful 'Idol' stars ever, and not surprisingly, country music makes a strong showing.

First season winner Kelly Clarkson comes in at the No.1 spot. Known to both pop and country music fans (thanks to her hit duet, 'Because of You' with Reba McEntire), the Texas native boasts more than 10 million albums sold and radio plays exceeding four million, making her show's most successful star thus far.

Right on Kelly's heels is two-time ACM Entertainer of the Year, Carrie Underwood. With over 11 million albums sold, she has the most sales of any 'AI' star, and will quickly surpass Kelly in both album and track sales if her golden (and platinum) streak continues.

Rounding out the top five are Chris Daughtry at No. 3, teen sensation Jordin Sparks in the fourth spot and David Cook at No. 5. Country darling Kellie Pickler comes in strong at No. 7, while recent finalist Danny Gokey comes in at No. 22.

The hit TV show has not only helped launch country-music careers, it has also played host to several country acts, including Shania Twain, who served as a mentor to the contestants, and Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban, who have performed on the show. Recent 'Idol' cast-off Aaron Kelly has announced plans to pursue a country career.

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Sheila

Bo should have won

May 10 2010 at 11:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ks32player

lynnmax0531, what do you watch or listen to? Carrie Underwood has probably given back more appreciation to American Idol and those fans as well as country music than ANYONE before her. And as far as her 15 minutes......you're gonna hear from her for years to come. I never cease to be amazed..........

May 10 2010 at 9:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lynnmax0531

Enough of Carrie Underwood. Her 15 minutes are up.
If it wasn't for American Idol, she would be nowhere. She should be thanking all American Idol fans who put her where she is. Wasn't County Music Fans.

May 09 2010 at 11:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to lynnmax0531's comment
wRiTeLiKeUmEaNiT

She thanks American Idol and her fans all the time. And Carrie Underwood will be around for a long time. She's got tremendous talent, has vocals that are amazing, and I've heard nothing but good things about her character and personality. She deserves to be where she is.

May 10 2010 at 10:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mbg

I realize that this site is geared towards country music, and the article itself about album sales, but what about Jennifer Hudson? Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Grammy and Screen Actors Guild plus a few more.

May 08 2010 at 10:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
inzone

Seems you skipped over #19 Taylor Hicks who has at least two very good country tunes on his latest album. Of course he was not allowed any radio play. But even without it he did quite well. Having the album that debuted as third highest helped.
Taylor could be a real country artist instead of a pop star that has been allowed to take over country.

May 08 2010 at 9:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to inzone's comment
countrydivaaj

If Taylor Hicks were to pursue a career in country music, I'll bet he'd be a huge success. So would Bo Bice.

May 09 2010 at 1:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David

What about Fantasia?

May 08 2010 at 9:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to David's comment
pookkie57

Fantasia who ? she wins AI and never hear about her after that.And all she did was scream thats not singing.Just like when she came back on to AI and sang or should say screamed her song and the way she looked no wonder Simon had that look on his face and said what was that all about.The song (screaming song ) didn't make sense.And what gets me all these singers that go on these reality shows think their the only ones that had a bad childhood or bad life.Look again their are alot of people, kids that have it worse off then they did.So tired of hearing people telling their story how ruff they had it.and thats where they get their pitty party going on.We all have it bad and thiers alot worse out there.Fantasia should of never won I knew she wouldnt continue her so called dream,take the money and run is all she did,never hear about her same as Ruben once in a blue moon you hear about him and thats only on AI when he comes on to sing and he's another one that should of never won he wasnt all that good, just my thoughts,But look at Carrie Underwood Kellie Pickler and she didnt win shes out there we hear about her and Carrie once in awhile you hear about Kelly Clarkson and dont hear much about alot of them.but Fantasia she is a has beeen

May 09 2010 at 4:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
warcraffl6

Well YA i think they have found great talent off that show.

May 08 2010 at 9:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
barbara

love all and agree.
we just went to a carrie underwood concert in april and it was greattttttt.
still love taylor hicks even if he is not top money machine

May 08 2010 at 8:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hkai

Click on the link to Billboard above. All 24 are listed, in reverse order. Stand by for a change next year, as the amazingly talented Adam Lambert's star continues to rise!

May 08 2010 at 8:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
J. Fair

Who is # 6. You skipped it.

May 07 2010 at 6:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to J. Fair's comment
ganxiemama

Rounding out the top five are Chris Daughtry at No. 3, teen sensation Jordin Sparks in the fourth spot and David Cook at No. 5. Country darling Kellie Pickler comes in strong at No. 7, while recent finalist Danny Gokey comes in at No. 22.
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May 09 2010 at 12:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply