Last year was a big year for American Idol alumni and Forbes has released the top-earning Idols from 2013.
Carrie Underwood tops the list with a whopping $31 Million, one of her biggest years since winning America Idol. She released her album Blown Away in 2012 and then launched the album, playing in 100 shows during Forbes’ scoring period. She also made bank from endorsement deals like Olay.
Video: Who is the top-earning American Idol alum?
The original Idol winner Kelly Clarkson had a milder year at $7 Million (if one can call $7 Million mild), but that was still enough to put her in the No. 2 spot.
Coming in at No. 3 (with $5 Million) is 2012 Idol winner Phillip Phillips. Perhaps the fastest winner to gain such success, Phillips has scored big with his first album and playing over 90 shows on the road during the Forbes’ scoring period. Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert tied Phillips after releasing his album Trespassing and appearing on Fox’s Glee.
The Top 10 is completed by the usual suspects, but let me point out one more thing. For all those people who ask “what happened to Taylor Hicks?” here’s your answer: He’s doing just fine. He ranks at No. 7 on this list at $2.5 Million. From his Las Vegas show to his restaurant in Alabama, the Season 5 Idol champion is doing just fine.
Here’s the compete list courtesy of Forbes:
1. Carrie Underwood, $31 Million
2. Kelly Clarkson, $7 Million
3. Phillip Phillips, $5 Million (tie)
3. Adam Lambert, $5 Million (tie)
5. Daughtry, $4 Million
6. Scotty McCreery, $3 Million
7. Taylor Hicks, $2.5 Million
8. Fantasia, $1.5 Million (tie)
8. Kellie Pickler, $1.5 Million (tie)
10. Katharine McPhee, $1 Million (tie)
10. Jennifer Hudson, $1 Million (tie)