American Idol Superstars 2013

Even though there are new singing competition shows on that are getting attention, none of them are getting close to the standard that has been set by American Idol. While people might be gossiping about X-Factor and The Voice, the reality is that, they are complete failures at finding or creating new music superstars. In the many seasons that these shows have been on, there hasn't been a single finalist or winner to even make a ripple in the real world.

The American Idol winners and finalists, on the other hand, can be found actually working and thriving in the music business. Many of them have become viable stars on their own apart from their initial American Idol exposure. They are winning awards, appearing on TV shows, starring in movies, getting radio airplay and the public is buying their music! Just look at the impact the American Idol Superstars had in 2013: 

The Season 11 Miss American Idol winner Phillip Phillips was all over the radio with his two hit songs Home and Gone Gone Gone. According to the Billboard Year End charts he had the #14 album of the year! He was even nominated as the Favorite New Artist at the American Music Awards.  

The Season 10 Miss American Idol winner Scotty McCreery released his third album and saw it come in at #1 on the Billboard Country albums chart. At the American Country Awards he actually won the award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. 

The Season 8 Miss American Idol 1st Runner Up Adam Lambert started appearing on the hit TV show Glee where his distinctive singing, dancing and acting style is being put to use every week. 

The Season 5 Miss American Idol 1st Runner Up Katharine McPhee completed her starring role in the musical drama series Smash. 

The Season 5 Miss American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler is a consistent award nominee for her country music and this year she ended up winning the Mirror Ball trophy on Dancing With The Stars. 

The Season 5 Miss American Idol finalist Mandisa has totally dominated the Gospel world with the release of her album Overcomer. She has earned three Grammy nominations for her music this year. 

The Season 3 Miss American Idol winner Fantasia released her 4th studio album and has also received impressive critical acclaim including three Grammy nominations. 

The Oscar winner and Season 3 Miss American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson starred in the movie Winnie Mandela that is now streaming on netflix. 

The Season 2 Miss American Idol winner Ruben Studdard was a contestant on this season of the Biggest Loser and he has already lost over 100 pounds. Even though he has been eliminated, by the end of the season he hopes to lose another 100 pounds. 

The Season 1 Miss American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson started out the year by winning her third Grammy (Best Pop Album) and she ended the year with the very successful release of her holiday collection, Wrapped in Red topping the charts and also allowing her the opportunity to have her own Christmas TV special. 

American Idol Grammy Nominations

The nominations for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards were announced, and an impressive eight nominations went to three Miss AMERICAN IDOL finalists and one IDOL judge. 

The Season 3 Miss American Idol winner, Fantasia, got three nominations: 

Best Traditional R&B Performance for "Get It Right" 

Best R&B Song for "Without Me" feat. Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliot

Best Urban Contemporary Album for Side Effects of You

This makes Fantasia an 11-time Grammy nominee! She won the award once in 2010 for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “Bittersweet.”

The Season 1 Miss American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson, got one nomination: 

Best Country Duo/Group Performance "Don't Rush" feat. Vince Gill

Kelly will be going up against Idol judge Keith Urban in this category for his song "Highway Don't Care" with Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift

This is also Kelly Clarkson's 11th nomination, and she's won three times before!

The Season 5 Miss American Idol 8th Runner Up, Mandisa, also has three nominations: 

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance "Overcomer"

Best Contemporary Christian Music Song "Overcomer"

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album "Overcomer

Mandisa has received three Grammy nominations previously in her career, and that number has now doubled to six.  

The Grammy Award winners will be announced on January 26, 2014.