* Finished: Runner-up, Season 8
* Notable achievements: Released seven studio albums, multiple Grammy nominations, headlined tours worldwide
2. Carrie Underwood
* Finished: Fourth place, Season 4
* Notable achievements: Released seven studio albums, multiple Grammy Awards, multiple chart-topping singles
3. Jennifer Hudson
* Finished: Seventh place, Season 3
* Notable achievements: Academy Award winner, Golden Globe winner, Grammy Award winner, successful film and music career
4. Chris Daughtry
* Finished: Fourth place, Season 5
* Notable achievements: Released five studio albums, multiple chart-topping singles, successful concert tours
5. Kellie Pickler
* Finished: Sixth place, Season 5
* Notable achievements: Released five studio albums, multiple chart-topping singles, television personality
6. Clay Aiken
* Finished: Runner-up, Season 2
* Notable achievements: Released six studio albums, successful tours, Broadway performances, author
7. David Archuleta
* Finished: Runner-up, Season 7
* Notable achievements: Released four studio albums, toured internationally, successful LDS missionary work
8. Katharine McPhee
* Finished: Runner-up, Season 5
* Notable achievements: Released four studio albums, starred in several television shows and movies, Broadway performances
9. Allison Iraheta
* Finished: Third place, Season 8
* Notable achievements: Released two studio albums, toured with Aerosmith, opened for Ozzy Osbourne
10. Lauren Alaina
* Finished: Runner-up, Season 10
* Notable achievements: Released three studio albums, multiple chart-topping singles, toured with Blake Shelton