Sometimes, winning isn’t everything. When it comes to American Idol, the show has become a platform that can create a star. It’s become a launch pad of careers. And not just in the music industry. Some of the many megastars that became household names thanks to American Idol have gone on to careers outside the world of music. They’ve tread the boards, staring underneath the bright lights of Broadway. Since 2002, American Idol has watched hundreds of hopefuls pursue a career in music, but did you know how many alumni have starred on Broadway? It’s time to celebrate the American Idol stars who have appeared on Broadway.
Yes, there are countless alums who we won’t have time to discuss in-depth, but let’s give you a tease. Did you know that both Season 6 winner David Cook and future media star Todrick Hall had a turn in Kinky Boots? Frenchie Davis had a long run in the company of Rent. Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks had a brief stint as Teen Angel in the revival of Grease. While they both had previous Broadway credits, including Hairspray and the revival of Grease, respectively, Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young met while performing in the revival of Hair and became the happy couple they are today! Here are ten more American Idol alumni who enjoyed their time on stage in NYC.
1
Adam Lambert
Season 8- Runner-Up
Do you remember who won Season 8 of American Idol? Perhaps you forgot that it was Kris Allen. And you might have forgotten because the season’s runner-up has had one of the biggest careers of any American Idol alum in history. Before Adam Lambert appeared as the front-runner on American Idol, the out star had experience as a theatrical performer. With many regional credits to his name, he came to American Idol with the ability to reinvent any song into something special and unique.
After years of releasing and touring with his original music and as the new frontman of Queen, an honor bestowed following their appearance together on the Season 8 finale, Adam Lambert finally made his Broadway debut in the Fall of 2024. Adam Lambert put his unique spin on the current revival of Cabaret, replacing Eddie Redmayne. He was joined by Auliʻi Cravalho, the voice of Moana, who played Sally Bowles. Glamberts packed the theater and the stage door for his brief run. Though this was his official Broadway debut, there was a chance that he would have starred in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, an opportunity he passed on.
2
Clay Aiken
Season 2- Runner-Up
Clay Aiken has had a very wild trajectory since his time on Season 2 of American Idol. With an appearance on The Celebrity Apprentice and a run for Congress in North Carolina, it was one of his post-Idol credits that helped prove to the world that he was more than the singer fans saw on American Idol.
In 2008, he began a run as a replacement in the Tony Award-winning production of Monty Python’s Spamalot. Taking on the role of Sir Robin, originated by David Hyde Pierce, and made famous by Eric Idle in the film, Clay Aiken was able to showcase his comedy chops with his showstopping number, “You Won’t Succeed On Broadway.” Ten years later, Clay Aiken returned to the Great White Way alongside American Idol Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard in Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show.
3
Constantine Maroulis
Season 4- 6th Place
American Idol Season 4 may be remembered for its battle between country singer Carrie Underwood and rock star Bo Bice, but the season also featured another long-haired rocker by the name of Constantine Maroulis. Most of his journey on American Idol was spent putting a rock-and-roll twist onto American classics. He was an early front-runner, but American Idol just seemed ready to crown their first country champion. Thanks to his success on American Idol, Constantine was able to return to his acting days, making his Broadway debut in the musical adaptation of The Wedding Singer as Sammy.
From there, he took a turn in the original revival cast of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. But his breakout role was playing the lead in Rock of Ages. It was a perfect role as it brought him back to singing covers of classic 80s tracks. The show began Off-Broadway before a transfer to the Great White Way, where he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Acting in a Musical. This marked the first time an American Idol alum had received that honor. He continued to perform on stage with credits including the National Tour and Broadway transfer of Jekyll and Hyde, co-starring Deborah Cox.
4
Fantasia
Season 3- Winner
Fantasia has had one of the most fascinating post-Idol runs of any winner. Following her victory on Season 3, Fantasia continued her career in music and started a life on screen but battled a lot of personal demons that put a strain on her rising success. After playing herself in a Lifetime movie about herself, Fantasia’s next task was to see if she could play a role other than herself. The iconic lead role in the musical adaptation of The Color Purple. Replacing LaChanze, Fantasia made her Broadway debut in 2007, earning crucial acclaim.
What was intended as a six-month run was extended thanks to a massive boost in sales. Though she remained relevant in the entertainment industry, she didn’t return to Broadway until 2013, when she joined the rotating roster of After Midnight, a musical revue. But her recent resurgence may be thanks to her Broadway debut. Fantasia was seen as the perfect fit for the film adaptation of the stage musical The Color Purple, earning her critical acclaim.
5
Jennifer Hudson
Season 3- 7th Place
There may be very few people who would have predicted that after being eliminated in 7th place on the third season of American Idol, Jennifer Hudson would be an EGOT winner. Though, I would like to pat myself on the back for being Team J-Hud from day one. Only a few years after her time on American Idol, Jennifer Hudson made her film debut in the film adaptation of Dreamgirls. Playing Effie White, Jennifer Hudson earned praise and an Academy Award. Her victory not only catapulted her career but proved that American Idol can and will make megastars.
A year after her rise to the top, she won a Grammy for her self-titled album. With two out of the three big awards on her mantel, Jennifer Hudson hoped to earn the Tony for her supporting role in the acclaimed revival of The Color Purple in 2015, alongside Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks. Unfortunately, she was left out of the nomination discussion, unlike her costars. Jennifer Hudson’s illustrious career has garnered some exceptional credits, ranging from an appearance in Hairspray: Live, a coaching stint on The Voice, and her own talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show.
But it’s when she put on her producing hat that she completed her EGOT. She won a Daytime Emmy for producing Baby Yaga and a Tony Award as one of the producers of 2022 Best Musical winner A Strange Loop. While she may have only appeared on Broadway once, many are eager to see her return. However, it might mean perfect timing and the right project.
6
Jordin Sparks
Season 6- Winner
At age 17, Jordin Sparks became the youngest winner of American Idol when she secured the victory during Season 6. Having a successful post-Idol music career, Jordin Sparks wasn’t satisfied sticking solely to music.
While she found herself making a pair of kid comedy cameo appearances, one on Disney Channel and the other on Nickelodeon, Jordin Sparks took her talents to Broadway as a replacement in the role of Nina Rosario in Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s first hit musical, In the Heights. Almost a decade later, she returned to New York, taking over the role of Jenna in Sara Bareilles‘ Waitress. She joined a hefty lineup of music and theater stars to have performed th role, including the show’s creator. Sparks has had quite the time as a replacement. Perhaps the next time she appears on stage, it’ll be to originate a role!
7
Justin Guarini
Season 1- Runner-Up
Winning isn’t everything. Just ask Justin Guarini. As the iconic first runner-up in American Idol history, many might have believed Justin Guarini’s acting career began and ended following the abysmal From Justin to Kelly, co-starring Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson. And yet, Justin was able to find a flourishing career on Broadway. He made his official debut as a replacement in the Beach Boys‘ musical Good Vibrations. From there, he joined a stellar line-up in the musical adaptation of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Despite a cast that included Sherie Rene Scott, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Patti LuPone, Danny Burstein, and Laura Benanti, the show became a high-profile flop. Thankfully, Justin has continued to tread the boards.
In addition to many regional productions, he was a replacement in American Idiot, the Green Day musical, appeared as Fiyero in Wicked, Paris in Romeo and Juliet, as well as the original casts of In Transit, the a capella musical, and Once Upon a One More Time, the Britney Spears musical. Boasting the largest theatrical resume among any American Idol alum, it’s safe to say that Justin Guarini is a Broadway baby. He’s proven that he’s come a long way since From Justin to Kelly.
8
Katharine McPhee
Season 5- Runner-Up
There will forever be a faction of fans who believe that Katharine McPhee was robbed of a victory on the fifth season of American Idol. Despite developing a career in the music industry, Katharine McPhee moved into the world of acting, which, perhaps, is what she will be remembered fondly for. With some roles here and there, Katharine McPhee’s big break came in the musical television series Smash. Starring as Karen Cartwright, she played an ingénue on the rise after she was cast in a Marilyn Monroe biographical musical.
The cult series may have only lasted two seasons, but it has remained in theater fans’ hearts ever since. In fact, a stage adaptation is currently on Broadway. Like her character on Smash, Katharine McPhee eventually had her chance to be our star when she joined the cast of Waitress. As one of the first stunt-casting replacements after Sara Bareilles, Katharine McPhee dazzled in the role, opening the opportunity up for her to originate the role in the West End production. She returned to the show before it shuttered. Having a voice fit for the stage, it’s the only time that she returns to the Great White Way.
9
Nick Fradiani
Season 14- Winner
For some American Idol fans, the later seasons of the original FOX run seemed to lose its luster, but it was not short of exceptional talent. One of whom was Season 14 winner Nick Fradiani. After a brief gap between the notorious “White Guy With Guitar” trend of winners, Nick Fradiani reignited the tradition with his victory.
With a folk-style voice, it made sense that he had an affinity for artists like Neil Diamond. When the Neil Diamond musical A Beautiful Noise came to Broadway, he was tapped to appear as the official standby for original star Will Swenson. Appearing weekly, the American Idol winner earned praise for his performance. Following Will Swenson’s departure from the show, Nick Fradiani took over the part, eventually leading the National Tour as Neil Diamond- Then.
10
Tamyra Gray
Season 1- 4th Place
As an early front-runner on Season 1, Tamyra Gray‘s shocking elimination was one of the first to rattle American Idol fans. Though the world of music and entertainment might have been quite different had Kelly Clarkson not won, Tamyra Gray used her time on American Idol to help launch her acting career. A few years after her time on American Idol, Tamyra Gray became the first replacement in the role of Priya in the short-lived Bombay Dreams.
From there, she kept her theatrical dreams alive, taking on the role of Mimi Marquez in Rent on Broadway. With multiple regional performances and the National Tour of If/Then in between, nearly a decade later, Tamyra Gray returned to Broadway as a replacement in the revival of Once on This Island. Tamyra Gray continues to be one of the most sorely underrated contestants in Idol history, she’s made up for it through her work on stage.
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