Carrie Underwood Tops 2009's Top-Paid 'American Idols'

Access Hollywood - May 21, 2009 5:55 PM PDT
Story photo: Carrie Underwood Tops 2009's Top-Paid 'American Idols'Carrie Underwood celebrates her award for Entertainer of the Year at the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Getty ImagesAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- A number of "American Idol" winners and runner-ups alike have gone on to superstardom since the launch of the FOX show - and according to Forbes, many of them are earning paychecks to match.

David Cook, last season's winner, earned $2 million since June 2008, the mag reported, based mostly on sales from his self-titled debut album, in addition to tour proceeds and a sponsorship deal with Skechers.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'American Idol's' Season 8 Two-Night Season Finale

And his runner-up, David Archuleta, earned $1.3 million thanks to his own debut album and tour.

Past "Idols" earned even more in the last year, however.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Former 'American Idols'

Country star Carrie Underwood counted $14 million, making her Forbes' estimated top-grossing "Idol" alum in the last year. Carrie has played over 300 concerts since her "Idol" victory in Season 4 and released two hit albums, "Some Hearts" and "Carnival Ride," which have sold a reported total of 9.6 million retail copies and 10.7 million downloads. She also has an endorsement deal with Vitamin Water.

Running second to Carrie is Jennifer Hudson, who was a finalist on the third season of "Idol." An Oscar-winning actress as well as a successful singer, Jennifer earned $5 million in the last year, bolstered by an endorsement deal with Gap.

The first-ever "Idol," Kelly Clarkson, also made the mag's list of its wealthiest alums, and holds the record for most albums sold by a former "Idol" with over 10 million. Her latest, "All I Ever Wanted," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts earlier this year.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hot Shots Of Country Cutie Carrie Underwood!

Below, Forbes' top 10 "Idol" earners:

1. Carrie Underwood - $14 million
2. Jennifer Hudson - $5 million
3. Kelly Clarkson - $4.2 million
4. Jordin Sparks - $3.1 million
5. Kellie Pickler - $2.3 million
6. Clay Aiken - $2.2 million
7. Chris Daughtry - $2 million
8. David Cook - $2 million
9. David Archuleta - $1.3 million
10. Taylor Hicks - $300,000

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Backstage At The 'American Idol' Season 8 Finale
PLAY IT NOW: Dish Of Salt: 'American Idol' Season 8 Finale, Red Carpet Arrivals (May 20, 2009)

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: American Idol - Carrie Underwood - David Archuleta - David Cook - Kelly Clarkson

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  • joann
    carrie underwood is the best idol yet. Her voice is the best Ihave heard in along time. She is the best female country singer and I can't wait for her new album to come out. I do think she should have been nominated for more awards for the November 2009 music awards.
    report abuseposted October 30, 2009 4:06 AM PDT
  • mensah
    go jordin
    report abuseposted July 28, 2009 3:57 PM PDT
  • mensah
    go jordin
    report abuseposted July 28, 2009 3:57 PM PDT
  • SaadiaC
    luuvv carrie underwood, she's n amazin' singer n very gorgeous....
    report abuseposted May 27, 2009 2:06 PM PDT
  • SaadiaC
    luuvv carrie underwood, she's n amazin' singer n very gorgeous....
    report abuseposted May 27, 2009 2:06 PM PDT
  • Toria Lou
    Carrie Underwood is good, but why was she limping on American Idol Wednesday Night??
    report abuseposted May 24, 2009 11:44 PM PDT
  • THE OBSERVER
    LOOK AT THE TITLE: THE AMERICAN IDOL QUESTION: IS ADAM LAMBERT THE EPITOME OF THE REAL AMERICAN IDOL? ANSWER: ( BIG ) NO. LOOK AT THE TITLE AGAIN: THE AMERICAN IDOL It's not only your music ability or your talent; It's also about your value and character that goes hand and hand with the title. YOU ARE REPRESENTING: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA . GOD BLES
    report abuseposted May 23, 2009 1:53 AM PDT
  • weezee
    Looks like the girls have gone on to achieve a lot more than the guys. The teeny-boppers, who do all the screaming & voting for the guys they think are so hot, fail to recognize actual talent. Also, note that the real success stories are the winners of the earlier seasons of the show. What does that tell you?
    report abuseposted May 23, 2009 12:41 AM PDT
  • Oreo
    AMERICA GOT IT WRONG LAST NIGHT KRIS SHOULD HAVE NOT WON LAST NIGHT ADAM GOT SCREWED
    report abuseposted May 21, 2009 6:49 PM PDT
  • I love my hubby
    What ever happened to taylor hicks anyways?
    report abuseposted May 21, 2009 6:32 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 14  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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