I don't want to mention names, but thanks to certain people (ahem, me) we know what happened to the contestants from American Idol Season 1. Some of them became famous singers, others found success behind the music. American Idol Season 2, the sophomore year, produced even better results. Not only have Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, and Kimberly Locke - first, second, and third place winners respectively - enjoyed success on the airwaves, but many other contestants have also gone on to great fame in music, stage, and television.
Josh Gracin: Due to previous obligations, Josh Gracin returned to Marine life immediately after he was voted off American Idol. His military commitment prevented him from touring with the other American Idol contestants. This, however, did not hurt his chance for fame. With the help of Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flats, Gracin was signed to Lyric Street Records and released his first album in July of 2004. This was a certified Gold Record.
A few months later, Gracin was honorably discharged from the military; the government gave him permission to put down his ammunition and picked up a microphone for good. He sang on movie soundtracks and on a Josh Brickman album in 2005 and produced both a single and his third child in 2006. His newest Album, All About Y'all, is set to be released in spring 2007. There is also speculation that Gracin may replace the lead singer of the band Lonestar, who is allegedly leaving sometime this year.
Frenchie Davis: Despite being one of the better known idols from Season 2, Frenchie Davis was disqualified before the finals after photos of her posing topless surfaced on the Internet. Regardless of this, Davis was able to stick a proverbial tongue out at Idol producers by finding her own fame. After getting the boot on American Idol, Davis found her feet, first on the red carpet and then on the stage.