It’s often been said that “American Idol” is really just a popularity contest. Sure, singing and showmanship is important, as is a contestant’s back-story and TV persona, but when it comes to advancing in the competition, many an inferior vocalist have managed to make it well past their expiration date. And then comes life after “Idol,” where alumni often have similar options — put out an album, audition for stage roles, take the reality show route — some achieving more success than others. So how do they all stack up?
We tackled that very question by recruiting a group of hardcore “Idol” followers (16 in total) to rank every Top 12 member (plus Anoop Desai, of last year’s Top 13), select Top 24 contenders and a handful of noteworthy auditioners from No. 1 all the way down to No. 120. » Read more: LA TIMES: The ultimate ‘American Idol’ power ranking: 120 contestants on, Kelly Clarkson still reigns supreme
