Underwood reigns as 'American Idol' top money earner
BY RITA SHERROW World Television Editor
Sunday, May 22, 2011
5/23/11 at 7:39 AM
A look at David
Cook’s recent
interview and performance
at STAR
101.5 in Seattle, Wash.
Carrie Underwood performs her
latest single, “Mama’s Song.”
Read about all things Carrie
Underwood.
It's official. Carrie Underwood reigns supreme as the biggest "American Idol" winner, and former Tulsan David Cook is ranked ninth out of the top 10.
A look at David Cook’s recent interview and performance at STAR 101.5 in Seattle, Wash.
Carrie Underwood performs her latest single “Mama’s song.
Checotah's Underwood surpassed Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson as the biggest earner last Monday when her album sales topped 12,296,000 and a tally showed she has moved more than 18.5 million digital tracks since winning Season 4 of the Fox series, hollywoodreporter.com posted Thursday. Sales data in the article was provided by Nielsen SoundScan.
Although Clarkson has a larger presence on the international concert circuit, Underwood has pulled in twice as much tour revenue with her performances in mainly the United States and Canada - more than $66 million compared to approximately $32 million, said the article citing Billboard BoxScore.
Underwood's visibility has also substantially increased with a supporting role in the spring film "Soul Surfer," which grossed some $39 million at the box office; performances and hosting duties on several awards shows; a Fox Christmas special; and with guest-star roles on popular sitcoms, including CBS' "How I Met Your Mother."
The rest of the top 10 hasn't changed much since last year, the website reported.
"American Idol" is celebrating its 10th year with the release of its first compilation album titled "American Idol 10th Anniversary – The Hits," featuring hit songs of past "Idol" contestants, including Underwood's "Before He Cheats" and Cook's "Light On."
"Idol" wraps up its season with a live two-part finale with finalists Scotty McCreery, 17, and Lauren Alaina, 16, performing at 7 p.m. Tuesday and a 7-9:07 p.m. results show Wednesday, featuring special performances, surprise guests, a top 13 reunion and the crowning of the next "American Idol." It airs on Fox, channel 23, cable 5.
Making bank
1. Carrie Underwood
Season 4 winner
Album sales: 12,296,000
Digital track sales: 18,482,000
Concert revenue: $66,762,207
She's heading down under for her first promotional trip to Australia this summer in advance of the release of "Play On: The Deluxe Edition" and will perform at the Grand Ole Opry on June 7 in Nashville, Tenn.
2. Kelly Clarkson
Season 1 winner
Album sales: 10,674,000
Digital track sales: 17,254,000
Concert revenue: $32,681,389
The first winner set the bar high with numerous hits among her 18 singles.
3. Chris Daughtry
Season 5, fourth place
Album sales: 6,104,000
Digital track sales: 11,127,000
Concert revenue: $19,159,287
He didn't win on the show, but he's a major winner on rock radio.
4. Clay Aiken
Season 2, runner-up
Album sales: 4,990,000
Digital track sales: 581,000
Concert revenue: $17,754,872
He and Ruben Studdard co-headlined a successful tour.
5. Fantasia
Season 3 winner
Album sales: 2,809,000
Digital track sales: 1,325,000
Concert revenues: $466,631
After a short run on Broadway in "The Color Purple," she launched the reality show "Fantasia For Real," which became a No. 1 rated series on VH1.
6. Ruben Studdard
Season 2 winner
Album sales: 2,556,000
Digital track sales: 445,000
Concert revenues: N/A
Studdard produced four albums, earned a Grammy nomination and co-headlined a tour with Clay Aiken.
7. Jordin Sparks
Season 6 winner
Album sales: 1,275,000
Digital track sales: 9,547,000
Concert revenue: $1,141,629
Records show her presence on pop radio amounts to nine tracks sold for every album.
8. Jennifer Hudson
Season 3, seventh place
Album sales: 1,160,000
Digital track sales: 1,964,000
Concert revenues: $1,055,971
After winning an Oscar and a Grammy, she lost more than 80 pounds and became the spokeswoman for Weight Watchers in 2010.
9. David Cook
Season 7 winner
Album sales: 1,324,000
Digital track sales: 4,196,000
Concert revenue: $1,012,335
He made a platinum-selling debut, releases his new album "This Loud Morning" on June 28 and performs on "Idol" on Tuesday. He also has a lucrative endorsement deal with Skechers.
10. Kellie Pickler
Season 5, sixth place
Album sales: 1,322,000
Digital track sales: 3,319,000
Concert revenues: N/A
The "Small Town Girl" made country fans stand up and take notice with her 2006 debut album and toured with Brad Paisley in 2007 and Taylor Swift in 2009.
- The Hollywood Reporter
Original Print Headline: Underwood reigns as top 'American Idol' money earner
Rita Sherrow 918-581-8360
rita.sherrow@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Carrie Underwood performedat Tulsa’s BOK Center last October.MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
David Cook
|
