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American Idol

The most famous 'American Idol' finalists who didn't win

Bill Keveney
USA Today
Jennifer Hudson, a Season 3 'American Idol' finalist, won an Oscar in 2007 for her performance in 'Dreamgirls.'

As American Idol's last Top 10 group begins competing Thursday (Fox, 8 p.m. live ET/delayed PT), it's a good time to look back at finalists who didn't win but made a mark, either on the show or afterward.

Take a look at memorable Idol non-winners from the 14 previous seasons. Why so much concentration on the early years? To paraphrase a quote attributed to bank robber Willie Sutton, that's where the viewers were.

Jennifer Hudson advanced to the finals, completing the Top 12 live on 'American Idol's' Season 3.

Jennifer Hudson, 7th place, Season 3 (2004)

Hudson's early ouster angered fans, but it sure didn't stop her. In her first film, Dreamgirls (2006), Hudson won a supporting-actress Oscar for a role that featured her electrifying performance of And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.

Hudson won a 2008 Grammy for best R&B album and stars in a Broadway revival of The Color Purple that opened late last year. She appeared recently in Fox's Empire and Spike Lee's Chi-Raq and will be seen in HBO's Confirmation (April 16).

Season 2 'American Idol' runner-up Clay Aiken ran for a North Carolina Congressional seat in 2014.

Clay Aiken, Runner-up, Season 2 (2003)

Aiken and champion Ruben Studdard were involved in Idol's most riveting final matchup, with a finale  that drew  a jaw-dropping 38 million viewers. Although Studdard narrowly  won, Aiken. who enjoyed a fervent following of self-described Claymates, sold more copies of his first post-Idol single.

Aiken went on to release a number of albums and appear on TV shows (Drop Dead Diva, 30 Rock) and Broadway (Spamalot). He switched gears in 2014, winning the Democratic primary for a congressional seat in his native North Carolina before losing the general election.

Chris Daughtry, who finished fourth in a talent-packed Season 5, has gone on to an impressive music career.

Chris Daughtry, 4th place, Season 5 (2006)

Daughtry was part of what may have been Idol's most memorable finalist field, in the show's top-rated season, averaging more than 30 million viewers.

He went on to big success with his own rock band, Daughtry. Its debut album sold more than 5 million copies, and Daughtry is No. 3   in record sales among Idol alums, trailing only winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, who appears on Thursday's show. Daughtry will play Judas in Fox's The Passion (March 20).

Katharine McPhee, the runner-up in Season 5 of Fox's 'American Idol,' now stars in CBS' 'Scorpion.'

Katharine McPhee, Runner-up, Season 5 (2006)  

The photogenic McPhee, who scored big on Idol with performances of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, released post-Idol albums but has gained a higher profile as an actor, with major roles on NBC's Smash and currently, CBS' Scorpion.

Season 5 finalist Kellie Pickler, right, sings with 'American Idol' contestant Amelia Eisenhauer during a recent episode.

Kellie Pickler, 6th place, Season 5 (2006)

Pickler and judge Simon Cowell became an Idol comedy team, with her charming rural naiveté clashing with his tart British attitude. But Cowell also was a big fan of the North Carolina singer, who went on to country music success.

In 2013, Pickler won ABC's Dancing With the Stars with partner Derek Hough. Last year, she got her own reality series, CMT's I Love Kellie Pickler.

'American Idol' Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert performed at Clive Davis'  big pre-Grammy gala earlier this month.

Adam Lambert, Runner-up, Season 8 (2009)

With all due respect to Season 8 champ Kris Allen, Lambert may have been the runner-up who most deserved to win. He drew fans with his irrepressible style and showmanship, contrasting with the WGWG (white guy with guitar) profile that had become a victory formula.

Lambert has had post-Idol musical success, ranking high on the list of finalists' album sales and touring with members of Queen. He appeared in Fox's Glee and plays Eddie in the network's The Rocky Horror Picture Show revival, due this fall.

Sanjaya Malakar enjoyed a strong run during Season 6 of 'American Idol,' despite strong criticism from judge Simon Cowell and many critics. He finished sixth.

Last and least … Sanjaya Malakar, 7th place, Season 6 (2007)

Idol has survived finalist controversy, going all the way back to complaints after the elimination of Tamyra Gray in its first season. It has shrugged off scandal, starting with Season 2 finalist Corey Clark's disqualification.

However, the success of Malakar, heavily criticized by Cowell, music critics and fans, hit Idol at its core, with many speculating that viewers, egged on by Howard Stern and an unrelated website, Vote for the Worst, spitefully voted for the faux-hawked showman because of his poor performances.

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