American Idol's Biggest Losers

Sometimes the losers win big!

Jennifer HudsonSeason 3Winner: Fantasia - Lost in the buzz surrounding Fantasia and the viewer’s love for William Hung was the soulful singer from Chicago. Hudson didn’t win season 3 of American Idol, but the Oscar-winning talent has since become one of the most widely acclaimed stars from the talent show.Photo: By Frank Micelotta/Fox/PictureGroup

1 / 11

Jennifer HudsonSeason 3Winner: Fantasia - Lost in the buzz surrounding Fantasia and the viewer’s love for William Hung was the soulful singer from Chicago. Hudson didn’t win season 3 of American Idol, but the Oscar-winning talent has since become one of the most widely acclaimed stars from the talent show.Photo: By Frank Micelotta/Fox/PictureGroup

William HungSeason 3Winner: Fantasia - Sure, eventual Season 3 winner Fantasia won crowds over with her powerful pipes, but California native William Hung captured the hearts of American Idol fans with his earnest but off-key rendition of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs.” Hung quickly became a fan favorite who, despite losing, went on to sign a record deal with Koch Entertainment. The singer has put out three solo albums and appeared in television ads and foreign sitcoms. He bangs!Photo: By Scott Gries/Getty Images

2 / 11

William HungSeason 3Winner: Fantasia - Sure, eventual Season 3 winner Fantasia won crowds over with her powerful pipes, but California native William Hung captured the hearts of American Idol fans with his earnest but off-key rendition of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs.” Hung quickly became a fan favorite who, despite losing, went on to sign a record deal with Koch Entertainment. The singer has put out three solo albums and appeared in television ads and foreign sitcoms. He bangs!Photo: By Scott Gries/Getty Images

/content/dam/betcom/images/2011/05/Music-5.16-5.31/052611-music-idol-pia-toscano.jpg

3 / 11

Pia ToscanoSeason 10Winner: Scott McCreery - The New York City native was at the heart of this season’s controversy. After her unexpected elimination, fans, judges, and even Tom Hanks were up in arms. Now the singing beauty is already being courted by record labels looking to capitalize on her talent. Photo: By Frank Micelotta/Fox/PictureGroup

Sanjaya MalakarSeason 6Winner: Jordin Sparks - The judges hated him, but the viewers voted for him. Hate him or love him, Sanjaya Malakar is easily one of the most recognized stars of American Idol. Following his loss, ratings on the show dropped and the Washington native went on to star on the reality television show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me out of Here.Photo: By Nancy Ostertag/Getty Images

4 / 11

Sanjaya MalakarSeason 6Winner: Jordin Sparks - The judges hated him, but the viewers voted for him. Hate him or love him, Sanjaya Malakar is easily one of the most recognized stars of American Idol. Following his loss, ratings on the show dropped and the Washington native went on to star on the reality television show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me out of Here.Photo: By Nancy Ostertag/Getty Images

Adam LambertSeason 8Winner: Kris Allen - It didn’t take long for the season 8 runner-up to bounce back from his loss on American Idol. In November 2009 Lambert released his debut album, For Your Entertainment, which debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Top 200. The Grammy-nominated singer stirred controversy during a performance at the American Music Awards when he kissed his male bass player.Photo: By Kevin Winter/Getty Images

5 / 11

Adam LambertSeason 8Winner: Kris Allen - It didn’t take long for the season 8 runner-up to bounce back from his loss on American Idol. In November 2009 Lambert released his debut album, For Your Entertainment, which debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Top 200. The Grammy-nominated singer stirred controversy during a performance at the American Music Awards when he kissed his male bass player.Photo: By Kevin Winter/Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT
Kimberly LockeSeason 2Winner: Ruben Studdard - After finishing third to runner-up Clay Aiken and eventual winner Studdard, Locke went on to release two albums, One Love (2004), Based on a True Story (2007), while gaining more notoriety as a contestant on the popular VH1 reality show Celebrity Fit Club.Photo: By Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

6 / 11

Kimberly LockeSeason 2Winner: Ruben Studdard - After finishing third to runner-up Clay Aiken and eventual winner Studdard, Locke went on to release two albums, One Love (2004), Based on a True Story (2007), while gaining more notoriety as a contestant on the popular VH1 reality show Celebrity Fit Club.Photo: By Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

General Larry PlattSeason 9Winner: Lee DeWyze - Lee DeWyze? In one of the most unsung seasons of the American Idol franchise a little known political activist turned his audition song “Pants On the Ground” into a viral hit. General Larry Platt became a instant celebrity when his plea for young men to pull up their sagging jeans was turned into a single that sold over 100,000 copies on iTunes.Photo: By Michael Becker/FOX/PictureGroup

7 / 11

General Larry PlattSeason 9Winner: Lee DeWyze - Lee DeWyze? In one of the most unsung seasons of the American Idol franchise a little known political activist turned his audition song “Pants On the Ground” into a viral hit. General Larry Platt became a instant celebrity when his plea for young men to pull up their sagging jeans was turned into a single that sold over 100,000 copies on iTunes.Photo: By Michael Becker/FOX/PictureGroup

David ArchuletaSeason 7Winner: David Cook - At sixteen, Archuleta became the youngest ever contestant on American Idol. Soon after falling short of victory the teen sensation released his single “Crush” off his debut self-titled album, which has sold over 900,000 copies worldwide.Photo: By Kevin Winter/Getty Images

8 / 11

David ArchuletaSeason 7Winner: David Cook - At sixteen, Archuleta became the youngest ever contestant on American Idol. Soon after falling short of victory the teen sensation released his single “Crush” off his debut self-titled album, which has sold over 900,000 copies worldwide.Photo: By Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Chris DaughtrySeason 5Winner: Taylor Hicks - No American Idol victory, but Daughtry has a #1 album to prove that he’s one of America’s favorites. The singer’s debut, Daughtry, was a hit with critics and fans alike and helped him surpass the fame of eventual season 5 winner Taylor Hicks.Photo: By Michael Becker/PictureGroup

9 / 11

Chris DaughtrySeason 5Winner: Taylor Hicks - No American Idol victory, but Daughtry has a #1 album to prove that he’s one of America’s favorites. The singer’s debut, Daughtry, was a hit with critics and fans alike and helped him surpass the fame of eventual season 5 winner Taylor Hicks.Photo: By Michael Becker/PictureGroup

Blake LewisSeason 6Winner: Jordin Sparks - The beatboxing singer played second fiddle to Jordin Sparks in season 6, but he eventually got his time to shine with the release of his debut album A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream), in December 2007. Photo: By Michael Buckner/Getty Images

10 / 11

Blake LewisSeason 6Winner: Jordin Sparks - The beatboxing singer played second fiddle to Jordin Sparks in season 6, but he eventually got his time to shine with the release of his debut album A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream), in December 2007. Photo: By Michael Buckner/Getty Images

Clay AikenSeason 2Winner: Ruben Studdard - In the closest and most nail-biting American Idol finale, Aiken lost to Southern teddy bear Ruben Studdard. Still, Aiken didn’t walk away looking like your typical second place finisher. In fact, his stardom would eventually surpass Studdard’s as he went on to release albums, perform at sporting events and act in film and television.Photo: By Vince Bucci/Getty Images

11 / 11

Clay AikenSeason 2Winner: Ruben Studdard - In the closest and most nail-biting American Idol finale, Aiken lost to Southern teddy bear Ruben Studdard. Still, Aiken didn’t walk away looking like your typical second place finisher. In fact, his stardom would eventually surpass Studdard’s as he went on to release albums, perform at sporting events and act in film and television.Photo: By Vince Bucci/Getty Images