As season 9 of American Idol gets underway, which previous winners have become bona fide stars — and which have been eclipsed by those who came in second?
Season 7: David Cook and David Archuleta
Winner: David Cook
In the week following Cook’s 2008 Idol victory, the sexy rocker from Missouri shattered records by debuting 11 songs in the Billboard Hot 100, and his debut album, Analog Heart, was certified platinum. He’s been a musical guest on Saturday Night Live and was invited to Glamour magazine’s Women of the Year Awards to serenade fan Hillary Clinton.
Runner Up: David Archuleta
The young singer’s self-titled debut album sold more than 900,000 copies worldwide. The baby-faced star has also capitalized on his tween fanbase, appearing on Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Disney’s Hannah Montana.
Will the real season 7 Idol please stand up?
Another tie: The numbers point to Cook, but ask any 12-year-old girl and she’d surely say Archuleta.
**** Editor’s note – iVillage confused — Cooks post AI album was “David Cook” – Analog Heart was a pre AI album – and it is very good by the way 
Source: iVillage
It’s not only the twelve-year-old girls who would say David Archuleta!
goldstar(Quote)
I like Cook, but this 37 year old LOVES Archuleta!!! He’s the winner in my heart!
Anonymous(Quote)
Cook’s debut CD was self-titled “David Cook,” not Analog Heart. (AH was an album he put out on his own before Idol. It did not go platinum.) “David Cook” did go platinum. Not trying to be mean, but this was a pretty basic fact … should have been checked. j/s
deb(Quote)
I love Archie, but clearly Cookie is the bigger winner to date. Aside from that, I really wish everyone would stop comparing these two great guys.
whatever(Quote)
I like Cook but Archuleta is the bigger star for sure…he has an already huge and growing fanbase – he will be around for a long time.
maria(Quote)
This is why the 2 should not be together in the same concert. It is already the beginning of AI9, and they are still being compared. RCA spend a lot of money on Cook because on the record he was the supposed winner according to the producer (Were there poll watchers?). Jive did not spend much on Archie perhaps it is forbidden to on that same year. David Archuleta and his management should decide what to do if their contract with Jive and 19 expires. He is still very young and shouldn’t be tied up with AI any longer. Just ask Mcfly how they did on their own.
Anonymous(Quote)
Cook who? LOL
Kizzi(Quote)
Again, comparing these two singers is a stretch; both do a great job in the genre in which they perform. David Archulelta – only 19 years old – has so much potential that it’s hard to fathom what kind of entertainer he’ll eventually become — the sky’s the limit for this extremely talented young singer. Hopefully, Jive records will let him be “the best he can be” and not pigeonhole him into a set path they decide for him.
Both singers are great – I think that with some good luck and good management, Archie will have a great career.
Ardy(Quote)