Clay Aiken
As the runner-up to Fox TV’s second American Idol: The Search for a Superstar competition, vocalist Clay Aiken wowed television audiences in 2003 with his Southern charm, sweet demeanor, and bright, glorious voice, and became a pop star. Out of 7,000 hopefuls, the Charlotte, NC, native won the hearts of the judges as well as millions of fans across the globe.

Aiken wooed 21 million television viewers each week from February to May with his sensational singing voice. His rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” sewed him a spot among America’s hearts. Although he finished second to Ruben Studdard, Aiken’s loss was not taken lightly. He landed a deal with RCA through Simon Fuller’s 19 Recordings Limited within weeks of the show’s finale.

That same month, Aiken’s debut single, “This Is the Night,” made history by going number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. It sold more than 392,000 copies during its first week, beating Elton John’s record for “Candle in the Wind 1997.” In October 2003, Aiken issued his studio full-length, The Measure of a Man. Once again, the little guy with the big voice made a big splash. The Measure of a Man sold 613,000 copies and went to number one on Billboard’s Top 200 during its first week of release. His first holiday effort, Merry Christmas with Love, followed in November 2004. The album debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart. Aiken released A Thousand Different Ways in September 2006.