http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/indus...05194142.story
Carrie Underwood Surpasses Kelly Clarkson as Biggest 'Idol' Earner
May 19, 2011
By THR staff
Simon Cowell predicted it during season 4 and in 2011 it came true -- Carrie Underwood is now officially "American Idol's" top earner, surpassing season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson. In the new issue of the Hollywood Reporter, which features a 21-page package celebrating "Idol's" tenth anniversary, THR breaks down the show's most successful graduates.
1. Carrie Underwood
Season 4 winner
Album sales: 12,296,000
Digital track sales: 18,482,000
Concert revenue: $66,762,207
2. Kelly Clarkson
Season 1 winner
Album sales: 10,674,000
Digital track sales: 17,254,000
Concert revenue: $32,681,389
The singer who started it all, Clarkson's 18 singles, many of them hits, set the Idol bar high.
3. Chris Daughtry
Season 5, 4th place
Album sales: 6,104,000
Digital track sales: 11,127,000
Concert revenue: $19,159,287
He turned out to be a winner at rock radio with a string of chart-topping singles.
4. Clay Aiken
Season 2, runner up
Album sales: 4,990,000
Digital track sales: 581,000
Concert revenue: $17,754,872
His debut was a hit, and while Aiken has kept a low profile of late, public outings like his recent co-headlining trek with Ruben Studdard proved successful.
5. Fantasia
Season 3 winner
Album sales: 2,809,000
Digital track sales: 1,325,000
Concert revenues: $466,631
After a 2008 stint on Broadway in The Color Purple, she launched a reality show, Fantasia For Real, which became VH1's No. 1 rated series.
6. Ruben Studdard
Season 2 winner
Album sales: 2,556,000
Digital track sales: 445,000
Concert revenues: N/A
Four albums, a Grammy nomination and a co-headlining tour with Aiken has kept Studdard on the radar.
7. Jordin Sparks
Season 6 winner
Album sales: 1,275,000
Digital track sales: 9,547,000
Concert revenue: $1,141,629
Her massive presence on pop radio translates to 9 tracks sold for every album.
8. Jennifer Hudson
Season 3, 7th place
Album sales: 1,160,000
Digital track sales: 1,964,000
Concert revenues: $1,055,971
After winning an Oscar and Grammy, she lost over 80 pounds and became the spokewoman for Weight Watchers in 2010.
9. David Cook
Season 7 winner
Album sales: 1,324,000
Digital track sales: 4,196,000
Concert revenue: $1,012,335
Soon to follow his platinum-selling debut with June 28's This Loud Morning, Cook also tours regularly and scored a deal with Skechers.
10. Kellie Pickler
Season 5, 6th place
Album sales: 1,322,000
Digital track sales: 3,319,000
Concert revenues: N/A
Pickler made big waves on the country scene with her 2006 debut album, Small Town Girl. Tours with Brad Paisley (2007) and Taylor Swift (2009) followed.