‘Idol’ Income: Forbes Reveals Show’s Top Earners

Published: Friday 22nd Jul 2011 by Rashad

Though  ‘American Idol’ has been a ratings winner since its debut in the early 2000s, some of the show’s alums have been ‘winning’ in other ways.  As the show is gearing up to look for its next Idol, Forbes magazine has reported ‘The Top-Earning American Idols’.  You may be surprised at some of the entries.

Although the alums featured on the list nearly brought in a whopping $50 million collectively, see who came out on top after the jump:

A.I.’s Top Earner List:

1. Carrie Underwood – 20 million
2. (tie) Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry – 6 million
4. Fantasia Barrino – 4 million
5. Jordin Sparks – 3 million
6. Kelly Clarkson – 2.5 million
7. Jennifer Hudson – 2 million
8. Kellie Pickler – 1.8 million
9. Clay Aiken – 1.5 million
10. Katharine McPhee, David Archuleta, David Cook – 1 million

*List compiled based on activity from May 2010-May 2011*

Read more here.

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  1. YuMx2 July 22, 2011

    Soo Carrie is almost making more than everyone combined! Thats impressive!

  2. me July 22, 2011

    hahahaha kerry call that number

  3. Mcbp July 22, 2011

    You better get that Money FANTASIAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!

  4. KAT DELUNA FAN July 22, 2011

    Jennifer Hudson can thank Donald Trump.Go girl !!

    Jordan sparks gettin those papers,better performer than some girls
    GO GIRL

  5. MISHKA July 22, 2011

    How come Carrie made $ 20 million? For what I know, all she did last year was choosing her wedding dress. Incredible.

  6. jloration July 22, 2011

    Woo, girl Carrie got 20 more millions in the bank!
    But we’ve barely seen her least heard from her since last year…

    *********************
    Don’t forget to get some deluxe “JLOVE”

    Available @jenniferlipezdotcom

  7. lost1wons July 22, 2011

    this is not f***** accurate, how the hell is jordin sparks makin more than J. Hud, a f***** Oscar winner, whose done movies and albums?

  8. that s*** July 22, 2011

    DONT NO ONE WONT THAT FLOP ASS JLO CD GURL SIT DOWN

  9. jloration July 22, 2011

    @MISHKA: Exactly

    My favorite out of them all remain the soulful Ms. Hudson, Ms. Barrino; for the guys i’ll say Daughtry.

    *********************
    Don’t forget to get some deluxe “JLOVE”

    Available @jenniferlipezdotcom

  10. jloration July 22, 2011

    @THAT S***: LOOL, do i press you that much? What’s your problem? LOL i see why you’re carrying that name, cool.
    Now back to the topic!
    Just like i said to the kitty kat, your lack of that JLOVE is apparent, so there you go (see below)

    *********************
    Don’t forget to get some deluxe “JLOVE”

    Available @jenniferlipezdotcom

  11. Jay July 22, 2011

    Poor ruben

  12. JJFan1814 July 22, 2011

    FANTASIA, YOU GO GIRL!!! I am shocked that Kelly isn’t higher!! She’s the 2nd successful idol behind Carrie!!!!

  13. RIHANNA BEYONCE FAN NOT STAN July 22, 2011

    Everbody is doing well. Congrats

  14. butterfly July 22, 2011

    Lool @ JLORATION

    for the list, i’m not a fan of these people

  15. TAYLOR SWIFTS NUMBER 1 FAN July 22, 2011

    Carrie underwood <3

  16. that s*** July 22, 2011

    jlo one fan that b**** cd flop men is a flop fan is a flop sit

  17. fantasiafan July 22, 2011

    go Fantasia

  18. that s*** July 22, 2011

    these american idol hos not even flops they slops lollllllll all them ugly fantasia look nasty

  19. LJ July 22, 2011

    @Mishka

    Carrie toured all last year for her ‘Play On’ album, she starred in ‘Soul Surfer’ and on top of that she has lucrative endorsements with Olay and Vitamin Water.

    In addition, that wedding that you speak of, brought in more money because she signed an exclusive deal with People magazine for the pictures.

    And that’s just what I can name off the top of my head.

  20. Tasian July 23, 2011

    Go Tasia!!! Call her what you wanna but her fans are standing up & making sure she’s making that MONEY!!!

  21. TJ July 23, 2011

    No suprised about Carrie. I am suprised about Fantasia making more than Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Huson..

  22. JHUD’s July 23, 2011

    This can not be correct. J-Hud has an endorsement deal with Jenny Craig has been in 3 blockbuster type movies, and has an album out. I’m gon need to see the Carfax for this one?

  23. MuzikJunkie July 23, 2011

    You better work Tasia!

  24. Legendtina4life July 23, 2011

    Yes, miss JHud!!

  25. JDot July 23, 2011

    Looks right to me
    Country music fans BUY country music and buy concert tickets. Carrie will be making 20 million plus for the next 20 years.
    All Jennifer Hudson has is a Weight Watchers endorsement, she did not make any movies this year, her album was a flop and her tour was canceled. What yall think they send her checks just because she has an Oscar on her shelf?
    Fantasia has been headlining her tour non stop and plus she got MTV money for her reality show

  26. Travis July 23, 2011

    I am also shocked about Fantasia’s income. I forgot she went on tour that probably gave her a boost. Proud of her she had a rough here and came back strong with a grammy and $4 mill can’t hate on that.

    Surprised how high Jordiin Sparks is too.

    Jenn didn’t do any “blockbuster” movies from May 2010 to May 2011 as it states.

    Carrie is killin it. Congrats to all that made it. Hard work pays off.

  27. Diane July 23, 2011

    Congrats Fantasia. That’s my baby. Take yo shoes and step on those h***. Jennifer, please stop making boring as songs.

  28. nice_gurl July 23, 2011

    I’m surprised that Jennifer Hudon isn’t #2 or #3 and Fantasia is higher than her.

  29. Yellow Gorillah July 23, 2011

    Get That PAPER Fantasia GURRRL

    And Ch… I thought Jennifer Would be a lot higher.

  30. RAY RAY July 23, 2011

    JHUD IS LOWER BCOS OF THE TIME PERIOD USED, ITS NOT HER OVER ALL NET WORTH

  31. Shayshay July 23, 2011

    This is up until may of this year when jhud JUST released her album, the next list she will be higher. She’s got movies coming out, het weightless book deal, I’m sure she’ll tour plus her wightwatchers money. She didn’t nothing much last year but film movies n get skinny. Get that dough tasia and carrie!

  32. Diane July 23, 2011

    Fantasia makes better songs than Jen. I’m still playing Fantasia’s 1st album and Bittersweet is on constant rotation. Man of the House and I’m Doing Me is also better than anything Jen has on her 2nd album. Jen needs better songs or she is going to wind up like Christina who has a nice voice but does not have great songs.

  33. Bouncy Baby! July 24, 2011

    im ver pleased with fantasia, love her songs and thought kelly clarkson will be higher.

    love jhud but not her songs.

  34. dee July 25, 2011

    EVERYBODY TRIED TO KNOCK FANTASIA SHE BOUNCED BACK HARD AS HELL NEW MOVIES COMING OUT FANTASIA IS DOING HER THING SHE’S GOOD

  35. B4REAL02 July 25, 2011

    Thats cuz Country Music fans actually support their artists (buy the album)

  36. Justus July 25, 2011

    For those who question why some make more than others, because the real money is touring and branding! Carrie and Jordin tour nonstop, always doing shows and performances. Most everyone else has been hiatus during the time frame of this financial tracking. Also Carrie is the face of Neutrogena, I believe or some other beauty product, I can’t remember, but Ive seen the commericial and I think she is in a drink ad too.

  37. dee July 25, 2011

    FANTASIA IS KILLING RIGHT NOW WHO SAID SHE WAS BROKE THATS A LIE LOL SHE BOUNCED ALL THE WAY BACK

  38. Tracey August 20, 2011

    Yeah Katharine!

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