THEN AND NOW: Individuals who got here in second place on 'American Idol'

Guarini labored for a wedding-entertainment firm earlier than he competed on "Idol" in 2002. He informed Insider that when he requested day without work to go to Hollywood, his boss joked that he would get well-known and by no means return.

That prediction got here true when the 23-year-old positioned second behind Kelly Clarkson, one of many most profitable "Idol" contestants within the franchise's historical past.

After season one ended, Guarini and Clarkson costarred within the romantic comedy "From Justin to Kelly" (2003). Critics panned the movie, however it held a particular place within the hearts of "Idol" followers. 

His two post-show albums, "Justin Guarini" and "Stranger Issues Have Occurred," didn’t carry out properly on the charts. 

Guarini finally transitioned to Broadway. Within the final twenty years, he's starred in quite a lot of exhibits together with "American Fool," "Depraved," "Romeo and Juliet," and "In Transit." 

At present, he's in all probability most recognizable as Lil' Candy from the Dr. Pepper commercials. 

He informed Insider that he traces his "great and wild profession" in Broadway, movie, tv, commercials, and cartoons again to "American Idol." 

"The impression that I used to be in a position to be part of on that first season is priceless," Guarini mentioned.

The movie star is at present starring within the musical "As soon as Upon a One Extra Time."

When 24-year-old Aiken auditioned for "American Idol" in 2003, the judges had been blown away by the facility of his voice. 

Aiken continued to exceed expectations and had a robust voting document all through the present, however Ruben Studdard eked out a slender victory on the season-two finale. 

Since "Idol," Aiken has launched six studio albums. His first album, "Measure of a Man," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100. His first single, "This Is the Evening," additionally debuted at No. 1 — forward of Studdard's single "Flying With out Wings."

The singer has hosted a Christmas present, carried out on Broadway in Monty Python's "Spamalot," and appeared on profitable TV exhibits like NBC's "The Workplace,""30 Rock,"and "Regulation & Order: SVU."

In 2014, Aiken ran for Congress and gained the Democratic major in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District. However he misplaced within the normal election.

In January 2022, Aiken announced he'd be working for Congress once more in North Carolina's 4th Congressional District. He positioned third within the North Carolina Democratic major in Could 2022.

Aiken continues to make use of his platform to advocate for inclusion, homosexual rights, and humanitarian efforts. 

DeGarmo, who misplaced to Fantasia Barrino on season three, is likely one of the youngest runners-up in "Idol" historical past. After ending the present, she went again to highschool. 

"I went again my senior yr proper after homecoming," she informed Insider. "And I bear in mind making an attempt to sneak in, actually throughout meeting, and it was like watching a ripple impact as individuals whispered." 

Regardless of unfavorable consideration from classmates and a senior yr dotted with media appearances, DeGarmo graduated on time and set her sights on the music business. 

She launched her album "Blue Skies" in 2004 and in addition had a music on the soundtrack of Disney's "Ice Princess" (2005).

DeGarmo went on to star on Broadway as Penny Pingleton in"Hairspray" alongside different Broadway and Nationwide Tour credit. She additionally had a six-month character arc on CBS' "The Younger and the Stressed" and starred in "After the Solar Fell" (2016).

In 2013, DeGarmo married fellow "Idol" alum Ace Younger, they usually reside of their hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. 

Extra just lately, the singer launched her second studio album, "Gemini," in 2019. 

Throughout his season-four audition for "American Idol," Bice informed the judges he might present the "rock," "blues," and "soul" that had been lacking from the present. 

On its fourth season, "Idol" raised the age restrict for auditionees from 24 to twenty-eight. Bice was months away from turning 29, making him one of many present's oldest contestants alongside Constantine Maroulis and Taylor Hicks. 

All through the present, he had a robust voting document and earned reward from judges, however he in the end misplaced to Carrie Underwood. 

Because the runner-up, Bice was nonetheless signed with RCA Information, and in 2005, he launched his first studio album, "The Actual Factor," which went licensed Gold. His subsequent two albums, "See the Mild," and "3," didn't fare as properly. 

Within the final twenty years, Bice has carried out with the likes of Nickelback, Bon Jovi, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Phish. He additionally supplied songs for movie soundtracks like "Blades of Glory" (2007). 

His most up-to-date album, "Kingdom Inside," was launched in 2017.

Bice continues to be a
n energetic musician and just lately performed at World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. He additionally starred in a 2023 run of "Rock of Ages" in Florida. 

From an early age, McPhee began singing classes below the steerage of her mom, who was an expert vocal coach. By the point she was 21, she competed on "Idol" and spawned overwhelming assist from followers, which Ryan Seacrest dubbed the "McPheever." 

Though Hicks was named the season-five winner, McPhee went on to a profitable profession in music, releasing hit singles like "Terrified."

She performed quite a lot of TV roles earlier than starring as Karen Cartwright on NBC's "Smash," and Paige Dineen on CBS' "Scorpion." She additionally earned reward for her Broadway debut as Jenna in "Waitress" in 2018.

In 2021, McPhee and her husband David Foster competed collectively on the sixth season of "The Masked Singer" because the Banana Break up. The identical yr, she additionally starred on Netflix's"Nation Consolation."

The singer just lately labored on a Christmas album along with her husband, David Foster, which was launched final yr. 

From the beginning, Lewis set himself aside on season six along with his beatboxing expertise and music-mixing abilities. To his information, he informed Insider, he was the primary "Idol" contestant to rearrange his personal tracks on the present. 

After shedding to Jordin Sparks on the controversial finale, Lewis was signed by Arista Information and in 2007 launched his debut album "A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream)," which he produced himself.

Since then, he's launched three extra self-produced albums, dipped his toe into voice performing, created his personal document label, and competed on Fox's "Don't Neglect the Lyrics" to learn the Seattle Kids's Hospital. 

In 2016, he additionally went on tour with season-five "Idol" contestant Elliott Yamin.

When Lewis isn't performing as a part of his new music duo, the Personal Language, with companion KJ Sawka, he works as a music producer.

He informed Insider he just lately produced music with Ginger Gonzaga, who simply starred on the Disney+ sequence "She-Hulk: Legal professional at Regulation," and Olivia Kuper Harris.

Archuleta was simply 16 when he auditioned for season seven of "American Idol." 

For the primary time in "Idol" historical past, contestants had been allowed to play devices on stage whereas they sang, and Archuleta accompanied himself on the piano a number of occasions all through his run. 

Ultimately, Archuleta completed second behind David Prepare dinner and has since opened up in regards to the strain of competing at such a younger age and the way "traumatic" his season was for him. 

He cemented his teen-icon standing after the present when he appeared as himself on each Nickelodeon's "iCarly" and Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana."

His debut single "Crush" entered the Billboard Scorching 100 at No. 2. He launched three albums, "David Archuleta," "Christmas From the Coronary heart," and "The Different Facet of Down," earlier than saying he'd be embarking on a two-year missionary journey in Chile as a part of his membership within the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. 

He returned to music with "Postcards within the Sky" in 2017 and "Remedy Classes" in 2020.

Lately, Archuleta has talked publicly about being a part of the LGBTQ+ group and has since stepped again from his Mormon religion. 

Earlier this yr, Archuleta suffered a vocal-cord hemorrhage and has since recovered from vocal surgical procedure.

In 2022, he starred within the titular function of "Joseph and the Wonderful Technicolor Dreamcoat" on the Tuacahn Amphitheater in Ivins, Utah.

The star was just lately unmasked because the macaw on season seven of "The Masked Singer."

After wrapping up a Nationwide Tour of "Depraved," Lambert auditioned for "Idol" in 2008. 

He foreshadowed the way forward for his profession by singing Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" for the judges. And regardless of Cowell's remarks that he was too "theatrical," he acquired 4 yeses.

After Kris Allen beat Lambert on the finale, Allen informed Rolling Stone in 2009 that the runner-up deserved to win. 

Lambert went on to document his first album, "For Your Leisure," which debuted at No. 3 and was finally licensed Gold within the US and Platinum all over the world. A single from the album, "Whataya Need From Me," was even nominated for a Grammy.

Since 2014, Lambert has served because the lead vocalist for Queen + Adam Lambert and has toured with the band numerous occasions worldwide. 

He's additionally been a visitor decide on quite a lot of TV competitions, from VH1's "RuPaul's Drag Race" to Fox's "The X Issue." 

Along with his success as a singer, Lambert based the Really feel One thing Basis in 2019, which goals to assist LGBTQ+ human rights.

The singer is at present performing with and with out Queen. 

When Bowersox auditioned for season 9 of "American Idol," she informed Insider that she was experiencing "borderline homelessness."

Throughout her season, she impressed the judges along with her soulful mix of acoustic melody and rock that Cowell referred to as "excellent." 

After putting second behind Lee DeWyze, Bowersox went on to launch her debut album "Farmer's Daughter" in 2010. 

Since then, the singer has dropped three extra albums, together with a self-released album titled "Hitchhiker" that debuted earlier this yr. 

"It's not making waves in any manner, however my followers have actually been loving it," Bowersox informed Insider. 

All through her profession, Bowersox has additionally toured and collaborated with musicians like Blues Traveler, Jakob Dylan, and Caroline Glaser.

In 2022, the singer printed the kids's e-book "My Mama is a Rock Star."

On season 10, judges Cowell and Paula Abdul had been changed by Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, and 15-year-old Alaina instantly charmed them. She even acquired Tyler to hitch her in an impromptu duet of Aerosmith's "I Don't Need to Miss a Factor." 

On the season finale, Alaina sang "Earlier than He Cheats" alongside her function mannequin Carrie Underwood. However she in the end completed second behind Scotty McCreery. 

The singer was instantly signed by Interscope Information, and she or he carried out on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and made music appearances on discuss exhibits. 

In 2011, Alaina launched "Wildflower," which turned the best-selling digital album by a debut nation feminine. It debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

In 2012, she was named new artist of the yr on the American Nation Music Awards.

Her success continued in 2017 along with her second album, "Street Much less Traveled." The titular single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Nation chart, and the album went on to achieve quantity three. Her work landed her breakthrough artist-writer of the yr on the 2017 Music Row Awards.

During the last decade, she's starred in two TV films; competed on season 28 of "Dancing With the Stars;" and toured with singers like Luke Bryan, Martina McBride, and Blake Shelton. 

In 2022, Alaina appeared on CBS' "Past the Edge" however was pulled from the survival sequence as a consequence of a extreme bone contusion. 

She's at present engaged on her subsequent nation album along with taking part in at festivals and making ready to hitch Pentatonix on tour. 

Sanchez has been an expert singer since age 7, and she or he had already competed on "America's Acquired Expertise" earlier than she auditioned for season 11 of "American Idol." 

"Competing in opposition to all these different individuals toughened up my pores and skin, to organize me for 'American Idol,'" Sanchez informed Insider. 

All through her run on the present, Sanchez obtained excessive reward. After nailing Whitney Houston's "I Will All the time Love You" in her High 13 efficiency, decide Randy Jackson referred to as her certainly one of "the most effective abilities in the entire nation." 

Finally, Phillip Phillips took house the "Idol" title for season 11, however Sanchez was nonetheless signed to Interscope Information and launched "Me, You & the Music" in 2013. 

Over time, Sanchez has appeared on Fox's "Glee;" carried out in excursions and profit concert events; and located streaming success with singles like "This Love," "Tonight" and "A Entire New World."

She launched her newest single, "Baddie," in 2022.

Throughout her audition for season 12 of "American Idol," Harrison carried out an unique music that she wrote for her mom, who died in a automotive accident when she was 16. 

With a rustic background and emotional performances, the singer had a robust run on the present earlier than coming in second behind Candice Glover.

Quickly after the season ended, Harrison made her Grand Ole Opry debut in Nashville singing with new "Idol" decide Keith City. 

Put up "Idol" Harrison has launched two studio albums: "This Previous Factor" and "Chosen Household Tree." 

In 2021, she went on tour with the country-rock trio The Final Bandoleros.

Singer-songwriter Jena Irene Asciutto was 17 when she auditioned for season 13 with Adele's "Rolling within the Deep." 

She was the primary feminine Wild Card contestant to qualify for the finale, and she or he finally positioned second behind Caleb Johnson.

"I used to be simply so completely satisfied for Caleb profitable," Asciutto informed Insider.  "I needed him to win so unhealthy and I knew deep down that he was going to win simply because he had auditioned a couple of occasions earlier than." 

She launched the EP "Innocence," which hit No. 18 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart in 2016, and her first full-length album, "Chilly Fame," got here out in 2017.

The singer additionally hinted to Insider that she's switching up her focus. 

"The final 5 years I've been actually digging into a brand new style of music that I’m so in love with and it's home music," Asciutto mentioned. "It's tremendous, tremendous particular to me simply because I'm proper outdoors from Detroit, and that's the place it was born."

Beckham was two weeks into getting his grasp's diploma in schooling when he dropped out to compete on season 14 of "American Idol." 

"I used to be going to be a high-school historical past trainer and after 'Idol,' in fact, the door for music opened extensive open," Beckham informed Insider. 

He showcased his strengths in nation and gospel all through the present. On the finale, the singer carried out with Fall Out Boy, however Nick Fradiani took house the "Idol" title. 

Beckham was signed by Quincy Jones Management in 2017 and launched the only "I Want" after opening for Jon Bellion on tour. He additionally accomplished a six-week residency on the Palazzo Versace Dubai that yr.

He went on to launch his first full studio album, "Mild 12 months," in 2020.

Beckham additionally stays a fan of "American Idol" and even had a YouTube sequence devoted to breaking down "Idol" episodes after they air. 

"I've gotten near all of the contestants as a result of the contestants find yourself watching the evaluate movies," Beckham informed Insider.

ASE, previously generally known as La'Porsha Renae, went all out after studying that season 15 could be the Fox present's last season. Though she was a domestic-abuse survivor, she informed Insider that she didn't need her circumstances for use in her audition plot. 

"I didn't desire a sob story," ASE mentioned. "I didn't need America to like me for my story. I needed them to like me for my voice."

After her efficiency of Rhianna's "Diamonds" within the High 10, decide and former "Idol" winner Clarkson gushed with reward. 

"You're gonna win, should you don't win I don't perceive," the decide mentioned. 

On the finale, Trent Harmon was named the winner over ASE. However inside hours, she introduced that she was signed to Massive Machine and Motown Information. 

Her music "Battles (Gold Medal Combine)" was the official music of the US Girl's Gymnastics Workforce on the 2016 Rio Summer time Olympics. And her debut album, "Already All Prepared," was launched in 2017.

However quickly after her time on "Idol," ASE additionally drew some backlash for her feedback about LGBTQ+ points. Per The Guardian, when requested about an anti-LGBT regulation in her house state of Mississippi, she responded that she's "one of many individuals who don't actually agree with that way of life" due to how she was raised. 

In 2022, ASE launched two singles, "My Empty" and "Fallen," the latter of which promotes suicide consciousness. 

Caleb Lee Hutchinson informed Insider he auditioned for "The Voice" at age 15. Though he didn't get any chair turns, he determined to check out for "American Idol" a couple of years later when the sequence was picked up for a sixteenth season by ABC. 

Hutchinson's nation attraction carried him right through a season stuffed with praiseworthy performances, together with his rendition of "Wagon Wheel" alongside Darius Rucker. 

When season 16 whittled all the way down to Hutchinson and his competitor, Maddie Poppe, he introduced that the 2 had been courting to wild applause. Poppe took house the prize on the finale. 

After "Idol," he launched a self-titled EP produced by Sugarland's Kristian Bush. Final yr, he additionally launched two singles: "Who I Am" and "Slot Machine Syndrome." 

Hutchinson and Poppe are nonetheless collectively, and he even appeared in her music video for her music "One That Acquired Away."

In 2022, Hutchinson launched a shock EP referred to as "Songs I'll By no means Play Once more," which has a Halloween vibe. 

On season 17, Aranda turned the primary and solely "Idol" contestant to play seven unique songs all through his run. 

After singing the unique music "Poison" in his High 6 efficiency, decide Lionel Richie informed him that "watching you sing your songs is every little thing." 

On the finale, Aranda positioned second behind nation crooner Laine Hardy. 

Since "Idol," he's launched two studio albums below the stage identify Scarypoolparty. His newest, "The Act of Forgiveness," dropped in 2021. 

He's additionally launched a couple of EPs, together with "Los Angeles" in 2021.

Dibesh Pokharel, who goes by the stage identify Arthur Gunn, wowed judges proper out of the gate when he auditioned for season 18 with Sticky Fingers' "Eddy's Tune" and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain." 

Gunn and his fellow contestants had their "Idol" journey interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. After the High 20 had been chosen, most contestants returned house and filmed their performances remotely. 

On the finale, Gunn competed and positioned second behind singer-songwriter Simply Sam. 

Since "Idol," Gunn has been quickly releasing music, together with three studio al
bums: "Arthur Gunn," "Khoj," and, most just lately, "Inform Me, How Do You Sleep at Evening?" 

Willie Spence was 21 when he auditioned for season 19 of "American Idol" with a stirring cowl of Rhianna's "Diamonds." 

Judges Richie, Bryan, and Katy Perry sang their praises for Spence all through the competitors. 

On finale evening, Spence beat out Grace Kinstler however misplaced to nation singer Chayce Beckham. 

Since then, in August, he launched the only "The Residing Years" with Briana Moir. 

On October 11, Spence died in a automotive accident at 23. 

Hunter Wolkonowski, recognized by her stage identify HunterGirl, labored in music remedy with veterans earlier than auditioning for the present earlier this yr.

She took judges unexpectedly by performing Rascal Flatt's "Riot" and singing the refrain half a key increased.

"It's my fifth yr doing this and that's my favourite feminine nation voice I've heard in 5 years," Bryan praised. 

All through the season, HunterGirl continued to impress the judges. However on the finale, she misplaced to Noah Thompson.

After season 20 wrapped up in Could, Huntergirl carried out on the Grand Ole Opry with Shane Stevens, Paul Sikes, and Rufio Hooks. 

In 2022, she launched her first post-"Idol" single, "Hometown Out of Me," and extra just lately, she launched "Lonely Outta You."

The singer is at present opening for various massive nation stars throughout the nation. 

Earlier than making her "Idol" debut, Megan Danielle competed on season 18 of "The Voice," making it to the highest 9. 

Her "American Idol" journey began off on a excessive word when Christian singer Lauren Daigle shocked her at her audition. Danielle was performing the singer's music "You Say."

The Georgia native impressed the judges all through the competitors, ending along with her last efficiency of her unique music "Dream Woman." Ultimately, she got here in second behind Iam Tongi.

Since ending on "Idol" earlier this month, Danielle has frolicked selling the present and formally releasing "Dream Woman."

This story was initially printed on November 5, 2022, and most just lately up to date on Could 24, 2023.