Top - Idol Earner

**Slaymeplease** · 06-04-2009, 09:38 AM

Carrie Underwood earned an estimated $14 MILLION last year, making her the year’s top earner among American Idol contestants, according to Forbes magazine. The tally reflects her touring income, recording royalties and endorsement deals. Jennifer Hudson comes in second with an estimated $5 million, followed by Kelly Clarkson with $4.2 million. Kellie Pickler came in fifth, with $2.3 million, due to strong album sales and her Sexy Hair product endorsement deal.
SOURCE: CMT.com
Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - CARRIE UNDERWOOD is the richest “American Idol” alum, according to Forbes’ new list of the top earning “Idol” graduates for this year.
The 26-year-old Grand Ole Opry member, who took the crown during the 4th season of the show, has estimated $14 million earnings in the last year alone. Her wealth comes from her touring income, recording royalties and sizable product endorsement payments.
SOURCE: AllHeadline News

**Bill5461** · 06-05-2009, 10:48 AM

She'll have some competition this year with Sanjaya being on reality tv and all...LOL

**Slaymeplease** · 06-09-2009, 05:19 PM

The only season of Idol I ever watched at all was the one that Carrie won. Lucky me. I remember thinking when she won that the other guy - Bo Bice should have won. I guess everyone else was right and I was wrong. What ever happened to that guy anyway?

I am surpirsed that she has out sold/earned Kelly Clarkson - is that her name. Anyway the girl who won the first idol. She had quite a head start on Carrie.

Hey where is SMG? I know I've been away and quite busy but SMG doesn't seem to be around either?

**Bill5461** · 06-10-2009, 06:59 AM

I'm thinking that the ranking you first posted was just for calendar year 2008. I think overall Kelly Clarkso is the top money maker, only because she's had so many years head start.

**Slaymeplease** · 07-22-2009, 08:19 AM

Carrie Underwood may have won American Idol’s fourth season, but she is definitely Idol’s first with her paycheck. According to a recent study by FORBES, Carrie Underwood is the highest paid American Idol. She earned this title after grossing a total of $14 million in 2008 alone.
Since taking the 2005 winning crown on Idol, Underwood has been on a non-stop flight of success. Shortly after her win, she landed an endorsement deal with Skechers shoes. Her two albums have sold over 10 million copies and produced 10 chart-topping singles making her the first country artist to have 10 #1 singles from their first two albums. Her first album Some Hearts is the best-selling female solo debut album in country music history.
Winning on Idol was only the tip of the iceberg for wins for the Oklahoma native. Underwood has won a good amount of prestigious music awards including FOUR GRAMMYS, FIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS, AND14 BILLBOARD AWARDS JUST TO NAME A FEW. Most recently her eighth Academy of country music award landed her the highest honor of entertainer of the year.
Her top earnings may also have something to do with the over 300 concerts Underwood has played since her Idol victory. Don’t assume though her hefty paycheck has turned this country star into a diva; Underwood’s next concert will be free as she is scheduled to perform in a special Salute to the Troops show at Fort Campbell in August.
Coming in after Underwood in Idol alum earnings is season three contestant, Jennifer Hudson, who may not have won the Idol title, but did win the Oscar for her performance in Dream Girls. This past year Hudson earned a total of $5 million.
Following Hudson in third place is the original Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, who made $4.2 million in 2008. Like Underwood, Clarkson is also a multiple Grammy winner and her latest single “All I ever wanted” debuted at No.1 on the Billboard music charts.
Will Carrie Underwood hold the top paycheck next year as well? Only time will tell, but if she continues to go at the rate she’s going; odds are most definitely in her favor.
Looks like 2009 Idol winner Kris Allen has a lot to live up to amongst his fellow idols.
SOURCE: Examiner.com

**Bill5461** · 07-22-2009, 07:20 PM

Who'll even remember 2009 Idol winner Kris Allen in a year from now?

Looks like I stand corrected on Kelly, thanks for the news slayme

06-04-2009, 09:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Slaymeplease Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 1,870 My Profile	Top - Idol Earner Carrie Underwood earned an estimated $14 MILLION last year, making her the year’s top earner among American Idol contestants, according to Forbes magazine. The tally reflects her touring income, recording royalties and endorsement deals. Jennifer Hudson comes in second with an estimated $5 million, followed by Kelly Clarkson with $4.2 million. Kellie Pickler came in fifth, with $2.3 million, due to strong album sales and her Sexy Hair product endorsement deal. SOURCE: CMT.com Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - CARRIE UNDERWOOD is the richest “American Idol” alum, according to Forbes’ new list of the top earning “Idol” graduates for this year. The 26-year-old Grand Ole Opry member, who took the crown during the 4th season of the show, has estimated $14 million earnings in the last year alone. Her wealth comes from her touring income, recording royalties and sizable product endorsement payments. SOURCE: AllHeadline News

07-22-2009, 08:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
Slaymeplease Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 1,870 My Profile	Congrats to Carrie - Top Idol Earner Carrie Underwood may have won American Idol’s fourth season, but she is definitely Idol’s first with her paycheck. According to a recent study by FORBES, Carrie Underwood is the highest paid American Idol. She earned this title after grossing a total of $14 million in 2008 alone. Since taking the 2005 winning crown on Idol, Underwood has been on a non-stop flight of success. Shortly after her win, she landed an endorsement deal with Skechers shoes. Her two albums have sold over 10 million copies and produced 10 chart-topping singles making her the first country artist to have 10 #1 singles from their first two albums. Her first album Some Hearts is the best-selling female solo debut album in country music history. Winning on Idol was only the tip of the iceberg for wins for the Oklahoma native. Underwood has won a good amount of prestigious music awards including FOUR GRAMMYS, FIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS, AND14 BILLBOARD AWARDS JUST TO NAME A FEW. Most recently her eighth Academy of country music award landed her the highest honor of entertainer of the year. Her top earnings may also have something to do with the over 300 concerts Underwood has played since her Idol victory. Don’t assume though her hefty paycheck has turned this country star into a diva; Underwood’s next concert will be free as she is scheduled to perform in a special Salute to the Troops show at Fort Campbell in August. Coming in after Underwood in Idol alum earnings is season three contestant, Jennifer Hudson, who may not have won the Idol title, but did win the Oscar for her performance in Dream Girls. This past year Hudson earned a total of $5 million. Following Hudson in third place is the original Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, who made $4.2 million in 2008. Like Underwood, Clarkson is also a multiple Grammy winner and her latest single “All I ever wanted” debuted at No.1 on the Billboard music charts. Will Carrie Underwood hold the top paycheck next year as well? Only time will tell, but if she continues to go at the rate she’s going; odds are most definitely in her favor. Looks like 2009 Idol winner Kris Allen has a lot to live up to amongst his fellow idols. SOURCE: Examiner.com

06-05-2009, 10:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bill5461 Scarlett Mod Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 16,356 My Profile	She'll have some competition this year with Sanjaya being on reality tv and all...LOL

06-09-2009, 05:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Slaymeplease Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 1,870 My Profile	The only season of Idol I ever watched at all was the one that Carrie won. Lucky me. I remember thinking when she won that the other guy - Bo Bice should have won. I guess everyone else was right and I was wrong. What ever happened to that guy anyway? I am surpirsed that she has out sold/earned Kelly Clarkson - is that her name. Anyway the girl who won the first idol. She had quite a head start on Carrie. Hey where is SMG? I know I've been away and quite busy but SMG doesn't seem to be around either?

06-10-2009, 06:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bill5461 Scarlett Mod Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 16,356 My Profile	I'm thinking that the ranking you first posted was just for calendar year 2008. I think overall Kelly Clarkso is the top money maker, only because she's had so many years head start.

07-22-2009, 07:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bill5461 Scarlett Mod Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 16,356 My Profile	Who'll even remember 2009 Idol winner Kris Allen in a year from now? Looks like I stand corrected on Kelly, thanks for the news slayme

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