Forbes Magazine recently unleashed their latest Top Earning American Idols list and R&B singers Fantasia Barrino, Jordin Sparks and Jennifer Hudson are among the bread winners.
Fantasia Barrino is the top earner of the three, raking in $4 million. The season three winner, who will star in the forthcoming film Mahalia! later this year, released the top selling album ‘Back to Me’ as well as a multi-city tour of the same name.
Sparks, who is the youngest winner in the shows history, followed Fantasia with $3 million. Her earnings are attributed to album sales, her headlining ‘Battlefield tour,’ endorsement deals, her clothing line, starring on Broadway’s In The Heights and special appearances.
Songstress Jennifer Hudson raked in a cool $2 million, credited to album sales of ‘I Remember Me’ and endorsement deals, like being the spokeswoman for Weight Watchers. The total is somewhat low due to Hudson not touring.
The top ten money-making Idol alums combined to earn $50 million over the past year, with Carrie Underwood earning a whopping $20 million.
According to Forbes, these numbers are based on estimated pretax income earned from May 2010 to May 2011, before subtracting agent and manager fees. The totals were compiled with the help of data from Pollstar, RIAA and others, as well as extensive interviews with industry insiders including managers, concert promoters, publicists, agents and, in some cases, the musicians themselves.
Top Earning List:
1. Carrie Underwood â 20 million
2. (tie) Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry â 6 million
4. Fantasia Barrino â 4 million
5. Jordin Sparks â 3 million
6. Kelly Clarkson â 2.5 million
7. Jennifer Hudson â 2 million
8. Kellie Pickler â 1.8 million
9. Clay Aiken â 1.5 million
10. Katharine McPhee, David Archuleta, David Cook â 1 million
Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
