Season two "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken has parted ways with RCA. A source tells Billboard Aiken left the label a couple of months ago, on the heels of his 2008 album, "On My Way Here."

That set sold just 159,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Aiken's 2003 debut, "Measure of a Man," sold 2.78 million.

The artist joins a slew of second place finishers -- Katharine McPhee, Diana DeGarmo, Justin Guarini, Blake Lewis and Bo Bice, among them -- let go from their major-label deals post-"Idol."

Aiken is not currently on the road but will make a guest appearance on the April 8 episode of "America's Next Top Model," where he will serve as a guest judge.


billboard.com

I predict he will be on Gone Country 4

yay!

DROPPED!

LFRRRRR. Bo Bice Mo Mice No Nice Lo Lice To Tice Zo Zice.

dang.... now Archie is the only runner up that hasn't been dropped by their label lol

So far .. maybe.

I wouldn't be surprised if Archie was dropped, but we'll have to see wait and see about that.

He is in danger. I wouldn't be surprised either. His flop album and flop single are not helping him.

I agree. Crush only peaked so high because of single sales first week. It RAPIDLY died and fell down the charts after the first week. "Too Not Over You" def flopped, but his album I wouldnt say flopped ... it is selling OK +600K is pretty good .. but David Cook's album is +900K and his single def flopped IMO. But I can probably see him being dropped .. but I think since their is siuch a wierd David Mania I think they will keep him for another album and then if that flops drop him.

It's painfully obvious that Idol is not producing an endless stream of successful artists. So far, this is the entire list of viable artists the show has produced:

Kelly Clarkson
Carrie Underwood
Jennifer Hudson (so far) (And the only Idol loser to win a Grammy, which is a good sign)
Daughtry (we'll see if they strike gold twice)
David Cook (jury is still out, but doing OK so far)

Fantasia, Ruben, Jordin, and Taylor are over with. Too bad, I've grown quite fond of 'Tasia. Maybe after the Color Purple movie comes out, she'll have a rebound.

LMAO, Archie will not be dropped. Kid is a star.

^ Jordin isn't over with.... all 3 of the singles from her album were hits! she'll have more success yet

How is Jordin done?

Cook is doing pretty well, a platinum album and platinum single speak for themselves.

The same could've been said for Aiken lol

LMAO. They are so similiar, like twin sisters

So in 10 years he will have starred in some obscure broadway musical and told the world he's gay.

Kind of sad. American Idol doesn't even promise their winners that they'll be successful. The only two who I can say have been so are Carrie and Kelly, and even Kelly had that one embarrassing album we won't mention.

...and have a baby

Jordin is way more successful then David Cook. I have no idea where you get the idea Jordin is over with.