American Idol, The Voice, The X Factor, and so many other singing competition shows have gifted musicians their big breaks. However, in reality, many of the singing competition winners who stole these shows still had a long road ahead, considering a win doesn’t mean instantaneous fame.
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Given that winning a singing competition doesn’t guarantee success, it is impressive to see the winners of a show carry their momentum onto their next musical endeavor. Very few have successfully been able to achieve this feat, and as a result, many of them have fallen into obscurity. However, there are a select few who have been able to transcend their singing competition win and make a name for themselves.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson is a singer/songwriter, media personality, and in general, just one of those individuals America has come to know since her 2002 American Idol win. Thanks to her win, Clarkson has enjoyed a career that many musicians dream of. The woman has a talk show, after all! Who would have thought winning American Idol would have led to that?
Outside of her television show, Kelly Clarkson has proven that she is far more than just a personality. Thanks to her three no. 1 hits, three Grammy Awards, and four no. 1 albums, Clarkson has shown the world she is a world-renowned musician and it’s all thanks to her American Idol start.
Carrie Underwood
Surely you saw this one coming from a mile away. Frankly, Clarkson and Carrie Underwood might be interchangeable and could compete for the most “successful” American Idol winner of all time. Nonetheless, Underwood has her own talent and has become a worldwide household name, all (debatably) primarily thanks to one thing: Her consistent appearance on Sunday Night Football.
Of course, Underwood’s career extends far beyond her three-minute song ahead of the NFL’s game of the week. Her 28 no. 1 hits, four no. 1 albums, and eight Grammy awards have solidified Underwood as a huge talent of the 21st century. However, none of it would have seemingly happened if it wasn’t for her 2005 American Idol singing competition win.
Danielle Bradberry
It is only fair to digress from American Idol, as several other singing competition winners have made quite the name for themselves following their win. When it comes to The Voice, the most notable, without question, is Danielle Bradberry. After winning Season 4 of the show in 2013, Bradberry has gone on to make quite the career for herself. It might not match Clarkson and Underwood, but still, it is quite impressive.
Despite not having a no. 1 hit, no. 1 album, or a Grammy award, Bradberry’s songs and albums have done very well on the charts. Particularly, her song “Heart Of Dixie” charted at no. 16 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and charted at no. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Photo by Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
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