Is is better to win or place second on American Idol?

@tthom64 (535)
United States
May 20, 2008 10:08am CST
Looking back at all the seasons, do you think it's better for an artist's career to win American Idol or come in second?
2 people like this
4 responses
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
21 May 08
I'm not sure. I have liked a lot of singer this year and in the past years that didn't win. Like last year Blake Lewis was wonderful to me. Also in season 5 Chris Daughtry was my favorite and look at him know he has gone far.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
21 May 08
Maybe Brooke White or Syeshia since she did make 3rd. I looked Brooke White a lot I hated to see her voted off. The week before she was voted off she did mess up though. So I knew it was coming. Syeshia will be either a good singer or a good actress in Broodway.
@tthom64 (535)
• United States
21 May 08
Yeah, Daughtry is the best example of someone who didn't even make it to the finale and still took off like a rocket. Of Brooke, Carly, Jason, and Syesha, who do you think has the best chance of pulling a Daughtry?
@tthom64 (535)
• United States
22 May 08
Agreed. I think Syesha should definitely head for Broadway. She had by the far the most expressive style of singing and dancing at the same time. Neither Brooke, Jason, or either David showed that kind of dual talent. I really hope Brooke pulls a Daughtry cuz I think she was great and it would just make me happy to see her so happy. She just needs the right song, etc. and I think she can do it.
• United States
20 May 08
I think it varies and depends on the artist and their personality. I think Bo Bice was better off not being tied to the contract (I think he would be doing much more by now had he not been stuck in bed for months on end!) I think David Cook will do better not tied to an Idol contract. I think David Archuleta will benefit from being under the contract- his age, his inexperience and his dad could be issues if he isn't "protected" by people who know what they're doing and a good contract that will guide him. Winning didn't hurt Carrie Underwood at all! lol.
@tthom64 (535)
• United States
21 May 08
You make some good points. Some of the number 2's (and 3's) have done just as well or better than the winners, but both Carrie and Kelly seemed to have fared pretty well with the contracts. I seem to remember there being some rumors that Kelly thought the contract was holding her back at one point. Don't know if they were really true. I think Jordan Sparks probably has done better with the Idol contract, so maybe you're right. David A. is young like her, maybe he would be better off with Idol and on his own for now.
• United States
22 May 08
it really depends on the artist... for this season, david cook will be a hit even if he lost. mariah carey & lionel richie wants to release cook's version of "always be my baby" & "hello" respectively. as for david archuleta, i just dont know... he's really a balladeer & caters to tweens.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 May 08
Well, looking back over the 6 seasons before this, there are good and bad for who have Won as the Idol and for those who have came in 2nd would Idol have done more for them? You know this is a Good one. Take Kelly Clarkson. I never really did watch this season until the reruns, and think it helped her. Then with Rueben Studdard I think it just depends on what type of Music you listen too, and then Clay was runner up, and he has done well. 3rd Season you have Fantasia and Diana Degarmo. Personally one of the biggest disappointments overall of all seasons. Then 4th season was Carrie Underwood who has done tremendous, and I am sure will continue to do Great for many yrs. to come. Bo Bice is holding his own, but was not right for American Idol winner so we are better off. Then another disappointment for Winners and runner ups was season 5. Everyone else who were runner ups are doing better and more than Taylor Hicks and Katherine McVee. So not sure if Taylor will ever do anything. Then with season 6, it is still too early to tell. But this yr. I think actually agree with everyone else, David Cook will do great even if he does not win, where David Archuletta might actually need this type of thing to help him boost his Career. Tonight and tommorow night will definately tell everything so only time will tell. But can anyone ever do better than Carrie has? It will probably be a long time.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
21 May 08
I agree. It seems like Carrie Underwood has been the best American Idol as far as her singing career has went and all of the awards she has won with singing country.
@sdj3rd (65)
• Philippines
20 May 08
i think it doesn't matter if you place 1st or 2nd, what matters is your viability as a commercial artist, you may win the contest but you may not be the record breaking artist recording companies are looking for.
@tthom64 (535)
• United States
21 May 08
Like Taylor Hicks. I really liked him and wasn't upset that he had won. But he doesn't appear to have the commercial viability of some of the other's that season. Haven't heard much from Kathryn McPhee either.