Scotty McCreery
The deep-voiced reigning winner is leaving no room for doubt concerning his relevance. Since being crowned the "Idol" champ last May, McCreery has become the most successful victor from the show since 2008 winner David Cook. His debut record "Clear as Day" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in October with 197,000 sold, and has since sold 879,000 copies (according to Nielsen SoundScan). Additionally, the 18-year-old, whose boyish, aw-shucks charm won over the largely-teenaged crop of voters, has landed two singles within the top 25 of Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, with lead single "I Love You This Big" even nearly cracking the Top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100 at No. 11. Upcoming: a slot opening for Brad Paisley and The Band Perry during the first quarter of 2012.
Lauren Alaina
She may have lost "Idol," but don't count out Lauren Alaina just yet. The 17-year-old crooner, who garnered comparisons to past "Idol" contestants Carrie Underwood and Kellie Picklerduring her stint on the show, released debut album "Wildflower" in October. The album opened at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 69,000 copies in its first week. The record's overall tally currently sits at 228,000 copies moved (according to Nielsen SoundScan), and has produced two Top 40 singles on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. But it hasn't been all green pastures for Alaina -- in November, she flubbed the lyrics to the National Anthem prior to a Thanksgiving NFL game. Still, with a spot opening for Jason Aldean on the superstar's My Kinda Party tour upcoming, we're sure she isn't dwelling on the past too much.
Haley Reinhart
Reinhart, a favorite of many "Idol" viewers who grew weary of the eventual top two's country aesthetic, has been relatively quiet compared to Scotty and Lauren. Fans can still expect an album soon, though -- in fact, very soon. The as-of-yet-untitled record's first single will be released on March 1, and if earlier interviews are any indication, expect the album, released through 19 Entertainment/Interscope Records, to be steeped in R&B/soul with a jazz slant, which is not too far from her tenure on the show (though we'd take some occasional rock, too -- after all, remember "The House of the Rising Sun," anyone?!). The raspy-voiced Illinois native also released a duet, "Baby It's Cold Outside," with fellow "Idol" contestant/frequent partner-in-crime Casey Abrams last November.
James Durbin
The heir apparent to the "Idol" glam rock crown Adam Lambert left behind, Durbinreleased debut album "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster" in November through Wind-up Records. The record debuted at No. 36 on the Billboard 200 chart, moving 28,000 copies in its first week. To date, Durbin's debut, "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster," has sold 81,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan - ahead of his "Idol"-released show highlights EP, which currently stands at 71,000. Lead "Disaster" rock single "Stand Up" enters Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart at No. 40 this week, making Durbin and Chris Daughtry the only "Idol" alums ever to reach the rock airplay tally. On top of all that, Durbin and longtime partner Heidi, with whom he fathered son Hunter, were married this past New Year's Eve.
Casey Abrams
One of "Idol"'s most eclectic contestants ever, Abrams always had viewers wondering what he would pull next, whether it was performing '40s jazz standard"Nature Boy" with his signature upright bass, or enraging hoards of grunge fans with his decidedly un-Casey-like rendition of"Smells Like Teen Spirit."Earlier this month, Abrams announced via YouTube (in song, no less!) that he had been signed to Concord Music Group. Few details are known at this point, but if the bearded wonder's video is any indication, he thinks "it will be pretty good." Well, that's swell.
Stefano Langone
The soulful 22-year-old was the comeback kid of last season, returning from near-elimination to pull off a berth in the Top 13 via a stunning wild card performance of "I Need You Now" and maintaining momentum, finally placing seventh. Apparently Hollywood Records noticed, as the singer inked a deal with the label earlier this month. Reportedly, the singer's debut will feature a number of pop/R&B tunes, some of which may be sung partly in Spanish. Could Langone become "Idol"'s first contestant to resonate in the Latin market?
Pia Toscano
Years after the show has met its end, Pia Toscano's early elimination will still reign as one of the most shocking moments in the show's history. But don't feel too sorry for the 23-year-old. The New York native was signed to 19 Entertainment / Interscope in July, and released debut single "This Time" a week later, which reached No. 16 on Heatseekers Songs and No. 36 on Pop Digital Songs. She has since performed the song on a variety of TV engagements, including "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Live with Regis and Kelly." Toscano's first album with Interscope is set to drop this year, and she has reportedly worked with production team Rock Mafia ( Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez,Sick Puppies) on a few songs.
Chris Medina
The "Idol" hopeful didn't even make it to the live show portion of season 10, butMedina has nonetheless accomplished more than quite a few of his peers that made it into the Top 13. The Chicagoan, who touched the hearts of many following the story of his fiancée, who suffered a brain injury from a car accident, released first single "What Are Words" the day after he was eliminated in February. Though only making a small ripple on American airwaves (No. 83 on the Hot 100), the song found resonance in across the sea in Scandinavia, reaching No. 1 in both Norway and Sweden and remaining there for 11 and eight weeks, respectively. His debut album of the same name was released in November on Eccentric Music.
