American Idol’s seventh season was remembered for its two weeks of Beatles covers (some of which were bad, some were just okay, and some were awesome), the range of instruments the contestants performed with (harmonicas, pianos, guitars!), and the fact that there were three different guys named David in the top 12.
But whatever happened to those who made it to the top that year? Let’s find out as we continue on with 2008’s American Idols.
5. Brook White
A babysitter with a cheerful disposition, Brook White reminded viewers of Carole King and was a likely contender for the big finalé.
Her High Hopes & Heartbreak was an iTunes exclusive album, but her “Radio Radio” single would later be used in national radio commercials for radio itself. Last year, she co-starred in the FOX made for TV-movie Change Of Plans, in which she played a singer-songwriter who unexpectedly adopts several children. She is currently part of the duo Jack & White.
4. Jason Castro
His laid-back style suited his mellow performances of “Daydream” and “Travelin’ Thru”, but he really shined on more heartfelt fare, like Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.
Signed to Atlantic Records, his self-titled debut album sold well and featured the popular single “Let’s Just Fall In Love Again”. To promote the album, he performed at the televised wedding of Bachelor contestants Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney. Later on that year, he released his first Contemporary Christian music album, Who I Am, which he continues to promote.
3. Syesha Mercado
Despite almost losing her voice during Hollywood week, the former commercial actress and The One: Making a Music Star contestant became the most popular female of the season.
Syesha starred in the 2009 national tour revival of Dreamgirls and released a self-titled EP last year. She is currently starring in a New Jersey production of Once On This Island and frequently posts videos on her official YouTube page.
2. David Archuleta
Rumors swirled about his father supposedly becoming so demanding that he was banned from giving his son song advice, but David “Archie” Archuleta took the teen heartthrob vote and was highly praised for his performance of John Lennon’s “Imagine”.
His debut album hit No.2 on the Billboard charts, and led to appearances on iCarly and Hannah Montana. His next two releases both sold well, with an upcoming covers album Begin. coming out this August. He probably won’t be able to do much promotion for it, however, as he recently announced that he is taking a two-year hiatus from the business in order to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1. David Cook
Some people said that a rocker would never win American Idol, and David Cook proved them wrong. The judges and the public never harshly criticized him, and he was never in the bottom three. His debut single “The Time of My Life” topped the Billboard charts, and his resulting album was one of the best-selling rock albums of that year.
In 2011, Cook’s remake of Human Nature’s “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” was American Idol’s good-bye theme. A follow-up album, This Loud Morning, disappointed his record label, with which he recently parted ways. He independently released his latest single, “The Last Song I’ll Ever Write for You”, and performed it on an American Idol results show last month.