Long article but here's the Kelly parts...
'American Idol' Tenth Anniversary: 345 Billboard No. 1s, From Kelly Clarkson to Phillip Phillips
Today, June 11, 2012, marks the tenth anniversary of "American Idol," and in that time the music competition TV program has racked up some jaw-dropping numbers: Many episodes have drawn over 30 million viewers; and a record-setting number of 132 million votes were cast for the most recent season finale. But the impressive numbers aren't just restricted to viewers and votes, they also apply to the Billboard charts, where the Idols have earned an astonishing 345 No. 1s (including four new ones in the current chart just this week) across the broad array of tallies compiled every week in different musical genres. Those 345 titles have spent an aggregate 1,142 weeks in pole position.
The 345 Idol No. 1s are spread among 29 Idol finalists (see below) and one non-finalist (William Hung, whose "Inspiration" led the Top Independent Albums chart for two weeks in 2004). Just five Idols are responsible for almost two-thirds of the 345 chart-toppers. First season winner Kelly Clarkson has 73 No. 1s, followed by Carrie Underwood (62), Daughtry (featuring Chris Daughtry from season five) (38), Fantasia (31) and Ruben Studdard (16).
Kelly Clarkson's single "Breakaway" is the third longest-running Idol No. 1, with a 28-week rule on Adult Contemporary Audience (and a 21-week reign on the Adult Contemporary list).
Clarkson has made chart news twice with leaps to No. 1. Her first single, "A Moment Like This," made a 52-1 leap the week of Oct. 5, 2002, breaking a 38-year-old record set when the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" rocketed 27-1 on April 4, 1964. Clarkson still owns the record for the biggest jump to No. 1, set the week of Feb. 7, 2009, when "My Life Would Suck Without You" soared 97-1. Clarkson also rewrote chart history in 2005, when her "Breakaway" album hit its 52nd week on The Billboard 200. It became the first title in five years to spend every one of its first 52 weeks on the chart in the top 20.
American Idol No. 1s by contestant
Kelly Clarkson 73
Carrie Underwood 62
Chris Daughtry (Daughtry) 38
Fantasia 31
Ruben Studdard 16
Jennifer Hudson 15
Mandisa 15
Clay Aiken 12
Adam Lambert 9
David Cook 8
Kimberley Locke 8
Scotty McCreery 7
Josh Gracin 7
Jordin Sparks 7
Kris Allen 4
David Archuleta 4
Kellie Pickler 4
Elliott Yamin 4
Taylor Hicks 3
American Idol Finalists 2
Bo Bice 2
Jason Castro 2
Bucky Covington 2
Blake Lewis 2
Chris Sligh 2
Paris Bennett 1
Diana DeGarmo 1
Lee DeWyze 1
Tamyra Gray 1
Phillip Phillips 1
William Hung 1
http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/indus...07284952.story
