American Idol alumni in film, television and theater

This page lists only acting roles and other projects undertaken in film, television and theater in the post-Idol career of American Idol contestants. It does not include guest musical performances or interviews on TV shows, or any pre-Idol work. It is also not intended to be a comprehensive list of all acting roles, appearances, awards nominated or won by any particular alum. Where there are multiple entries, only the more significant may be listed. Please see the appropriate links and references for individual alum for such more complete lists.

Season 1

The first season of American Idol saw its first and only attempt at expanding the Idol franchise into the film industry. The winner Kelly Clarkson and runner-up Justin Guarini played the leads in the musical comedy, From Justin to Kelly, but the film failed both critically and at the box office. No further film venture had been attempted in following seasons.

Kelly Clarkson has gone on to be a coach on The Voice, voiced characters in three animated movies, and since 2019 has hosted The Kelly Clarkson Show. Justin Guarini has starred in several musical productions, including non-musical production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet as Paris in 2013. He was the host of Idol Tonight and Idol Wrap on TVGN. Tamyra Gray has starred in several musical products including Rent in 2008. Jim Verraros has starred in a number of gay-theme films, while semi-finalist Kristin Holt has forged a career as TV show host.

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Kelly Clarkson
(Winner)
Justin Guarini
(Runner-up)
  • From Justin to Kelly (2003)
    as Justin Bell
    Nominated Worst Actor (Razzie)
  • Fast Girl (2008)
    as Darryl K. Sands
  • Run of the House (2003)
    as Paul Hanson (1 episode)
  • Idol Tonight and Idol Wrap (2006–2009)
    Host
  • Gone Country (2009)
    Contestant
  • Sketched Out TV (2009, web series)
    Performer
Nikki McKibbin
(3rd place)
Tamyra Gray

(4th place)

Christina Christian
(6th place)
  • Celia: The Queen (2008, documentary)
    as young Celia Cruz
Ryan Starr
(7th place)
  • Ring of Darkness (2004, television film)
    as Stacy
  • What I Like About You (2003)
    as Pam (2 episodes)
  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2003)
    as Sophia Renatta (Season 4, Episode 4)
  • The Surreal Life (2004)
    as herself (12 episodes)
  • Gimme My Reality Show! (2008)
    Contestant
Jim Verraros
(9th place)

Season 2

The winner of season 2, Ruben Studdard, teamed up with the fifth-place finisher Trenyce and the disqualified semi-finalist Frenchie Davis to star in the touring production of Ain't Misbehavin', the recording of which won a Grammy nomination. The runner-up Clay Aiken enjoyed two successful stints in Broadway in the musical Spamalot. Frenchie Davis also had some success in Broadway, as did Hollywood round auditioner Josh Strickland who starred as Tarzan in musical of the same name.

Kimberley Locke and Kimberly Caldwell have both pursued a career as TV hosts aside from their music.

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Ruben Studdard
(Winner)
  • Lifted (2010)
    as Pastor Johnson
Clay Aiken
(Runner-up)
Kimberley Locke
(3rd place)
Josh Gracin
(4th place)
Trenyce
(5th place)
  • Dreamgirls (2006, regional)
    as Deena Jones
  • Love in the Nick of Tyme (2007, national tour)
    as Portia
  • Ain't Misbehavin' (2008, national tour)
    as Charlaine
    Nominated - Best Musical Show Album (Grammy)
  • Thriller – Live (2010–2011, London, European tour)
    Vocalist
Carmen Rasmusen
(6th place)
  • Fear Factor (2006)
    Contestant
Kimberly Caldwell
(7th place)
Rickey Smith
(8th place)
  • OZ, the Musical (2009, national tour)
    as Tinman
Corey Clark
(9th, disqualified)
Vanessa Olivarez
(12th place)
  • Hairspray (2005, Toronto)
    as Tracy Turnblad
    Nominated - Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role - Musical (Dora Award)
Frenchie Davis
(Semi-finalist)
  • We Are Family (2011)
    as JoJoDean
  • Dumbbells (2012)
  • Rent (2003–2007, Broadway)
    as Mrs Jefferson and others
  • Ain’t Misbehavin' (2008, national)
    Nominated - Best Musical Show Album (Grammy)
Ashley Hartman
(Semi-finalist)
  • Abominable (2006)
    as Karen Herdberger
  • The O.C. (2003–2007)
    as Holly Fischer (9 episodes)
  • Victoria Secret TV (2008)
    Host
  • The Grammy's Style Studio (2009–2010)
    Host

Season 3

Season 3 winner Fantasia enjoyed a critically and commercially successful stint in musical theater when she starred in The Color Purple. She also had her own TV show and is expanding into film. The runner-up Diana DeGarmo also found success in musical theater starring in Broadway musicals such as Hair and Hairspray.

Seventh-place finisher, Jennifer Hudson, became one of the most successful contests to have emerged from American Idol when she landed a part in the film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls, and subsequently won a number of major awards as supporting actress including an Oscar. She has since also starred in a number of major films, including Sex and the City and Sing. Eleventh-place finisher Matthew Rogers has a steady career as a TV show host. Alan Ritchson who was heavily featured in the audition and Hollywood rounds pursued a career as a TV and film actor, while auditioner William Hung briefly landed some acting roles due to his exposure on the show.

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Fantasia

(Winner)

Diana DeGarmo
(Runner-up)
  • The First Ride of Wyatt Earp (2012)
    as Dora Hand
  • Hairspray (2006–2007, Broadway)
    as Penny Pingleton
  • The Toxic Avenger (2009, off-Broadway)
    as Sarah
  • Hair (2010, Broadway)
    as Sheila Franklin
  • 9 to 5 (2010–2011, National Tour)
    as Doralee Rhodes
  • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2014, regional)
  • The Marvelous Wonderettes (2016, Off-Broadway)
    as Suzy Simpson
Jasmine Trias
(3rd place)
LaToya London
(4th place)
  • Issues, We All Got 'Em (2006, national tour)
    as Chastity
  • Beehive (2006, regional))
    Nominated Ensemble Performance (LADCC Awards
  • The Color Purple (2007–2010, national tour)
    as Nettie

    Nominated - Best supporting female - Equity (NAACP Theatre Awards)
Jennifer Hudson

(7th place)

Jon Peter Lewis
(8th place)
Amy Adams
(10th place)
Matthew Rogers
(11th place)
Matthew Metzger
(Semi-finalist)
Katie Webber
(Semi-finalist)
  • Rent (2005)
    as Dancer
Alan Ritchson
(Hollywood rounds)
William Hung
(Auditioner)
  • Where's Mama's Boy? (2005)
    as the godson
  • Chinaman's Chance (2008)
    as Ting

Season 4

A number of season 4 Idol alumni such as Anthony Fedorov have been involved in musical theater, but the most successful is the sixth-place finisher Constantine Maroulis. Maroulis has been active on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in Rock of Ages. The winner Carrie Underwood made her acting debut in a film by starring in Soul Surfer.

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Carrie Underwood
(Winner)
Bo Bice
(Runner-up)
Vonzell Solomon
(3rd place)
  • Simply Ballroom (2008, national tour)
    Vocalist
  • OZ, the Musical (2009, national tour)
    as Glinda/Aunt Em
  • Burn the Floor (2010–2011)
    Vocalist
Anthony Fedorov
(4th place)
Scott Savol
(5th place)
  • OZ, the Musical (2009, national tour)
    as Lion
  • The Lord Will Make A Way (2009–2010, national tour)
Constantine Maroulis
(6th place)
Anwar Robinson
(7th place)
  • Friends & Lovers: The Ski Trip 2 (2008)
    as Owen
  • Friends and Lovers (2010)
    as Owen
  • Rent (2007–2008, national tour)
    as Tom Collins
Nadia Turner
(8th place)
  • Lord Help Us (2007)
    as Kayla Brooks
Nikko Smith
(9th place)
  • The Agonist
Jessica Sierra
(10th place)
  • Jessica Sierra Superstar (2007, adult)
    as herself
Mikalah Gordon
(11th place)
  • OZ, the Musical (2009, national tour)
    as Dorothy
Melissa Lawson
(Hollywood rounds)

Season 5

The season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee has established a career as a film and TV actress, and starred in the TV series Smash and Scorpion. Eleventh-placed finisher Kevin Covais also has a steady career as an actor with many acting roles in film and TV. Other Season 5 contestants who also pursued an acting career include Lisa Tucker. The winner Taylor Hicks had enjoyed a stint in theater, while seventh-place finisher Ace Young also had had a couple of major acting roles in Broadway.

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Taylor Hicks
(Winner)
  • Grease (2008–2009, Broadway and national tour)
    as Teen Angel
Katharine McPhee
(Runner-up)
  • Waitress (2018–2020, Broadway and West End)
    as Jenna Hunterson
Elliott Yamin
(3rd place)
  • The Bold and the Beautiful (2007)
    as himself
  • Lincoln Heights (2007)
    as himself (Season 2, episode 3)
Chris Daughtry
(4th place)
  • Trolland (2016)
Paris Bennett
(5th place)
Kellie Pickler
(6th place)
Ace Young
(7th place)
  • Section B (2011)
    as Ryan
  • Grease (2008–2010)
    as Kenickie (Broadway), Danny Zuko (National Tour)
  • Hair (2010, Broadway)
    as Berger
  • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2014)
    as Joseph
Lisa Tucker
(10th place)
  • The Hustle (2008)
    as Keisha
  • The O.C. (2006)
    as herself (Season 3, Episode 23)
  • Zoey 101 (2007–2008)
    as Pucci (Season 3-4, 5 episodes)
  • The Game (2009)
    as Lisa Perkins (Season 3, 3 episodes)
  • The Vampire Diaries (2011)
    as Greta Martin (Season 2, 3 episodes)
Kevin Covais
(11th place)
Ayla Brown
(Semi-finalist)
  • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2008)
    as The Narrator
Kinnik Sky
(Semi-finalist)
  • House of Payne (2008)
    as Nurse Jones
  • Hard Rock Cafe Presents (2011)
    Host
Becky O'Donohue
(Semi-finalist)
Brianna Taylor
(Hollywood rounds)
Jes Hudak
(Hollywood rounds)

Season 6

The winner Jordin Sparks has taken roles both in theater and film. She appeared opposite Whitney Houston in the film Sparkle. Semifinalist Jared Cotter has worked as a host for a number of TV shows.

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Jordin Sparks
(Winner)
Blake Lewis
(Runner-up)
LaKisha Jones
(4th place)
  • The Color Purple (2007–2008, Broadway)
    as Sofia and church soloist
Sanjaya Malakar
(7th place)
  • Freckleface Strawberry (2011, off-Broadway)
    as Danny
Gina Glocksen
(9th place)
  • Ballroom with a Twist (2011, national tour)
    Vocalist
Chris Sligh
(10th place)
Brandon Rogers
(12th place)
  • Missing Audrey (2010)
    as Ben
  • Bones (2008)
    as Broadway wanna-be (Season 3, episode 14)
  • Valley Peaks (2009, web TV)
    as Matt
Sabrina Sloan
(Semi-finalist)
  • Gulls (2008, regional)
    as Nina
  • Princess and the Black Eyed Pea (2008, regional)
    as Princess Quelie
  • Dreamgirls (2008, regional)
    as Lorrell Robinson
  • Rent (2009, regional)
    as Mimi
  • In the Heights (2010, Tour)
    Vanessa
  • Catch Me If You Can (2011, Broadway)
    Ensemble
  • Hamilton (2017, Angelica Tour / 2019 And Peggy Tour)
    Angelica Schuyler
Jared Cotter
(Semi-finalist)
  • The Sauce (2007–2008)
    Host
  • No. 1 Countdown: Pop (2008)
    Host
  • You Rock, Let's Roll (2008)
    Host
  • The Challenge (2009- )
    Host

Season 7

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
David Cook
(Winner)
  • Best Week Ever (2008)
    as himself (2 episodes)
  • Free Radio (2009)
    as himself (Season 2, episode 2)
  • Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2010)
    as himself
David Archuleta
(Runner-up)
Syesha Mercado
(3rd place)
  • Dreams (2011)
    as Mia
Jason Castro
(4th place)
  • The Bold and the Beautiful (2010)
    as himself (2 episodes)
Brooke White
(5th place)
  • Change of Plans (2011, television film)
    as Sally Danville
  • Banner 4 July (2013, television film)
    as Desiree
Carly Smithson
(6th place)
  • Hell's Kitchen (2010)
    as herself
Kristy Lee Cook
(7th place)
  • Outdoor's 10 Best (2010)
    Host
  • Wanted: Adventure Host (2010)
    Judge
  • Goin' Country (2011)
    Host
Chikezie
(10th place)
David Hernandez
(12th place)
  • Ballroom with a Twist (2009–2011, national tour)
    Vocalist
  • Dancing Queen (2012, regional)
Adore Delano (appeared as Danny Noirega)
Colton Swon
(Hollywood)
  • The Voice (2013)
    Third place (as part of The Swon Brothers)

Season 8

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Kris Allen
(Winner)
  • Best Week Ever (2009)
    as himself
  • Gigantic (2011)
    as himself
Adam Lambert
(Runner-up)
Danny Gokey
(3rd place)
  • Truth Be Told (2011)
    as himself
Alexis Grace
(11th place)
  • Chicago (2012, regional)
    as Roxie Hart
Jackie Tohn
(Semi-finalist)
  • Monster of the House (2011, television film)
    as Jackie
  • Memphis Beat (2010)
    as Delilah Boswell (1 episode)
  • For a Green Card (2010–2011)
    as Jackie
  • CSI: NY (2011)
    as Ainsley McCrea (1 episode)
  • Platinum Hit (2011)
    Contestant
  • GLOW (2017)
    as Melrose
Arianna Afsar
(Semi-Finals)
  • Hamilton (Chicago production, 2016)
    as Eliza Hamilton (Original cast)
Jamar Rogers
(Hollywood rounds)
John Twiford
(Hollywood rounds)

Season 9

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Lee DeWyze
(Winner)
  • Hell's Kitchen (2012)
    as himself
Crystal Bowersox
(Runner-up)
  • Always…Patsy Cline (2013)
    as Patsy Cline
Siobhan Magnus
(6th place)
  • The Reluctant Dragon (2013, regional)
Katie Stevens
(8th place)
Paige Miles
(11th place)
  • Beehive - the 60s Musical (2011)
Alex Lambert
(semi-finalist)
Todrick Hall
(Semi-finalist)
Jermaine Sellers
(Semi-finalist)
  • Leave It on the Floor (2011)
    as Dancer
John Park
(Semi-finalist)
Chris Golightly
(Semi-finalist)
Luke Edgemon
(Hollywood rounds)
  • Glee (2011)
    as Flint Wilson (Warblers)
  • The Voice (2013)
    Contestant
Samuel Larsen
(Hollywood rounds)
  • The Glee Project (2011–2012)
    Winner (season 1), guest mentor (season 2)
  • Glee (2012)
    as Joe Hart
Tori Kelly
(Hollywood rounds)

Season 10

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Scotty McCreery
(1st place)
  • Five More Minutes (2021)
    Writer/executive producer (TV movie)
  • Five More Minutes: Moments Like These (2022)
    Executive producer (TV movie)
Lauren Alaina
(2nd place)
  • The Road Less Traveled (2017)
    as Charlotte (TV Movie)
  • Roadhouse Romance (2021)
    as Callie (TV Movie)
Haley Reinhart
(3rd place)
  • 90210 (2011)
    as herself
  • Hell's Kitchen (2012)
    as herself
  • F Is for Family (2015–2021)
    Bill Murphy
James Durbin
(4th place)
Stefano Langone
(7th place)
  • Dr. Drew's Lifechangers (2011)
    as himself
Paul McDonald
(8th Place)
Pia Toscano
(9th Place)

Season 11

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Phillip Phillips
(Winner)
Jessica Sanchez
(Runner-up)
  • Glee (2013)
    as Frida Romero
Heejun Han
(9th place)

Season 12

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Alex Kinsey
(Hollywood)

Season 15

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Nick Fradiani
(Winner)

Season 16

Idol Contestant Film Television Theater
Gabby Barrett
(3rd place)
  • Untitled Trey Edward Shults film (TBA)
    as Isabella

This page was last updated at 2023-11-01 12:15 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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