No. 1: Carrie Underwood
$14 million
The Muskogee, Okla.-born country girl used Idol to launch a massively successful recording career. A three-time Grammy country vocal winner, Underwood has sold 9.6 million albums.
No. 2: Jennifer Hudson
$5 million
The multi-talented singer-actress won an Oscar in 2006 for her role in Dreamgirls. Her 2008 self-titled album has sold over 750,000 copies. Hudson was chosen to sing the national anthem at the 2009 Super Bowl.
No. 3: Kelly Clarkson
$4.2 million
Idol's original queen has sold over 10 million albums. Her latest single, "All I Ever Wanted," hit No. 1 on Billboard charts.
No. 4: Jordin Sparks
$3.1 million
The season six winner broke out with "No Air," a duet with R&B crooner Chris Brown. She has toured with Alicia Keyes and is now on the road with tween sensations the Jonas Brothers.
No. 5: Kellie Pickler
$2.3 million
Like fellow Idol alum Underwood, Pickler is more cowgirl than diva. She has sold 1 million records since the show. She is paid to endorse Sexy Hair products.
No. 6: Clay Aiken
$2.2 million
The Raleigh, N.C., native maintains loyal following six years after finishing second on Idol. He has sold 4 million albums and penned a New York Times best-selling memoir. Aiken recently finished a run in Broadway's "Spamalot."
No. 7: Chris Daughtry
$2 million
One of the first Idol rockers to reach the final four, Daughtry's debut album sold over 4 million copies. His follow-up is slated to hit stores this July.
No. 8: David Cook
$2 million
Once a small-town songwriter, Cook has a top-selling album and a lucrative endorsement deal with Skechers.
No. 9: David Archuleta
$1.3 million
Edged out in the seventh season by Cook, baby-faced Archuleta has gone on to release a successful album of soulful pop. The self-titled debut record has sold 700,000 copies. The 18 year-old has played more than 100 live shows since Idol.
No. 10: Taylor Hicks
$300,000
Prematurely gray-haired soul master Hicks charmed Idol audiences and won the fifth season. He's now playing Teen Angel in a national tour ofGrease.
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