'Idol' Update: Where Are They Now?

Kelly Clarkson - By far the most successful Idol so far, the season one winner's impact on the music industry has been huge. Her first album, "Thankful", has sold more than 2.5 million copies in America. Her Sophomore album, "Breakaway", has sold more than 5.6 million copies in the US, with almost 11 million in sales worldwide. In 2006 FHM magazine named her as one of the "100 Sexiest Women in the World."

For the first time in a long while, Kelly was not touring and actually able to sit down and watch the Idol auditions last week. She weighs in whether or not the judges are being too mean this year, "It's sad you feel bad for laughing but at the same time you are like 'are you joking?' Some of them you are like 'you totally just wanted to be on TV.' Here is the thing too, people say it's mean but the one thing I say is that they are nothing compared to what critics are going to say about you or what magazines are going to say about you or what TV is going to say about you. Everyone loves to put you on that pedestal and then knock you right back off."

Next Up: Kelly is currently working on a new album which is due out in late spring/early summer.

Justin Guarini - He may not have found the success Kelly has but this runner-up has been plenty busy, "I'm happy to still be a part of the pop-culture consciousness, and being on the first season has kept me recognized and working steadily in the industry. I'd do American Idol a thousand times over, it's given me the keys to a lasting career (above and below the radar)."

Right now he is working on a 3rd Album of Soul/Funk/R&B music and he just wrapped a feature-length film which is due out next summer (action/drama about professional race car driving). He also has a hosting gig on Mania TV. His best advice for the next round of contestants, "Know what you want I.E. the image you want to portray, where you want to fit into the industry, what kind of record you want to make if you're given the opportunity."

Next Up: Justin says, "2007 will bring more film and television work, a new album, and a new lease on my career." He has also joined TV Guide channel as on-air correspondent for the show Idol Tonight.

Nikki McKibbin - The third place finisher, Nikki spent 2006 recording new songs for her debut CD. Her CD single, "The Lie" is available right now on iTunes which she shot a music video for at The Howden Castle in Santa Cruz, Ca. The video is being released this month. Her best advice for the next Idols is too "live your dream and enjoy the moment."

Next Up: Nikki plans too, "Finish the album, start my tour, take a vacation!" Nikki's tour begins in March with a first stop in San Francisco, CA

Tamyra Gray - After having some success in the acting world with a recurring role on Fox's "Boston Public" and roles on "What I Like about You" and "Las Vegas", Tamyra recently got married in September of 2006 to songwriter and producer, Sam Watters, a member of the '90s R&B group, Color Me Badd.

RJ Helton - Now living in San Francisco, the fifth place finisher spent much of 2006 trying to rebuild and recover after his family lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, just two months before the deadly storm hit. He recently made the decision to come out during an interview with Sirius Satellite radios Larry Flick, " I wanted to get it out before it came out in a negative way. I wanted to do it my own way and make it a comfortable thing."He has been in a relationship with someone for about a year.

Of American Idol he says, "It was an incredible experience. I have made life long friends from it." His best advice is, "to completely be yourself. Do not play it safe. Give it everything that you have. Shoot for the higher note, always stay focused and humble and do not talk back to the judges because it's so tacky. Try to remember everything because it happens so fast."

Next Up: RJ is about to start studio work. He had been doing a lot of writing and recording out of house and hopefully will now be able to put out a second album. He also signed a deal to write an autobiography about his behind the scenes experience on American Idol and keeping his sexuality a secret.

Christina Christian - The fourth place winner is celebrating her third wedding anniversary this month to Nicholas Cewe. She spent 2006 raising their son, Caden. She currently runs an image consulting company, MIA Image, in Florida for high profile professionals and socialites and young adults. They offer makeovers, personal shoppers, seminars for teens and young adults on breaking into the business and to teach them tricks of the trades. As for her best advice Christina offers this warning, "Stick to your gut. Fight for yourselves because the producers are in it for themselves. Don't worry if you don't make it on the show because there is so much to do out there in the business." Christina tells me her record deal had nothing to do with American Idol she got it all on her own, "I have really good contacts that I wouldn't have needed the show for,
personal contacts from family side. "

Next Up : Christina tells me she is back in the studio working on her first album that she will release which will feature an Urban pop sound. She says "creative conflicts" killed her first record which never saw the light of day. She had even shot a video for one of the songs in South Africa but says the releasing it just "wasn't the right thing to do at the right time." . She is working with producer Jim Johnson who just worked with Danity Kane.

Ryan Starr - The show's first original rocker has kept herself busy over the years with TV appearances including a season of "The Surreal Life" as well as acting and modeling gigs. She says she never watches "American Idol" and in fact ask friends to turn it off or she leaves the room when it's on. The show definitely left a bad taste in her mouth, "All of a sudden I was famous for all the wrong reasons and not because of my song writing and my voice."

Of her experience on Idol she says she was too young (at age 19) to know better, "It was my first audition. I didn't know what I was signing." There is a sense of disappointment that during the first season the show had no budget, they didn't want rock singers on the show and they could not afford to clear the types of songs she wanted to sing. After the show ended things only got worse for Starr which is why she has yet to produce an album, "I was in a really bad contract, a really bad binding contract with a producer that had me tied up and it restricted me from signing any record deals. I thought it was the right thing to do. I thought I'll sign this contract and become a star. The worst decision of my life."

Her best advice to future idols, "Get a lawyer first and make sure any contract you have are looked at by a lawyer you trust."

Next Up: Known for making her own clothes in the first season, Ryan had plans to do a swimsuit line called "Chained" but it got put on the back burner to work on a reality show about trying to make it as a female rocker. The show is being pitched around town right now by the producer of MTV's "Making the Band. " She has also put together a five piece rock & roll band with her as the lead singer.

A.J. Gil - A.J., has been keeping busy here in Los Angeles. Though he moved to Florida for a couple of years, 2006 was spent in LA recording all the tracks for his upcoming album as well as working in production and writing/producing for other artists. Right off the bat after leaving Idol he had a failed attempt at making an album that fizzled out, "I was just going around trying to find the right help. I didn't know much about the business. I just got with the wrong people." A.J.'s best advice for the next group, "whomever doesn't become the American idol just being on the show its a big thing just have your business ready and have people helping you out because that is going to determine whether or not you are going to make it. Have a backup plan."

Next Up: Working on just three or four more songs to complete the album which he says will be in both English and Spanish.

Jim Verraros - Now living in Chicago, the openly gay former Idol has quite the cult following thanks to his role in the 2004 gay-themed movie, "Eating Out", which Jim describe to me as, "kind of like an over-the top, cheesy, gay American Pie" Apparently, it was popular enough to spawn a sequel. "Eating Out Two" is running in theatres in LA and NY right now.

His best advice for the newcomers, "A lot of contestants go through that post reality depression. I think the thing to keep in mind is you have got something to bring to the table. Keep working and not rest on your laurels but really push, be dedicated. It's important to stick to your guns no matter what the judges have to say about you. It's all about the scandal and the ratings (with the producers) so stay focused."

Next Up: "Eating Out Two" will be rolling out in other cities including Palm Springs, Denver, Austin and Dallas starting next week. The DVD will be in stores May 22nd. He also has a song on the soundtrack. He is also currently working on his second dance record . (The first, "Rollercoaster", produced a top twenty single on the Billboard dance charts) which will feature a duet with Joss Stone

EJay Day - Along with Jim Verraros he was the first causality of season one but has found some success touring mostly on cruise ships. He just got off Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas and will head out next of the world's largest cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas, performing in Broadway style show, It's great work and cruise ships pay just as good as Broadway. Hopefully one day I will have my chance their too." EJay also released album exclusively for ships called "Come into My World." His best advice for the Idols, "Take everything in and take advantage of the moment while the kettle is still hot."

Next Up: EJ may realize that Broadway dream. He is in talks with Disney to play "Finding Nemo" character Crush the sea turtle in a Broadway version of the mega successful animated film.

Keep checking back I have lots more info on the rest of finalists from Seasons 2 - 5 coming up soon. Got a question you really need answered about American idol? You can email me at dishofsalt@yahoo.com.