Losers Always Win (...In Reality TV Anyway!)

Last night we went to the premiere show for season 4 of Nashville Star, and it got me thinking that -- in many cases -- the losers on these reality TV shows actually fare better than the winners.

Times When "Losers" Actually Did Pretty Well

If we were to just look at Reality TV showdowns within the music industry, for example -- where one's success (or failure) is dependent primarily on one's own abilities (lyrical skill and musical talent) -- you'd probably start to realize that you're more familiar with the names of the "losers" than you are with the actual "winners". Right?

Specifically, let's look at American Idol (currently in full swing on Fox) and Nashville Star (the Country music version of American Idol... about to launch a new season on the USA Network).

NASHVILLE STAR

Nashville Star history & overview

Notable Nashville Star Losers:

• Miranda Lambert (3rd place in 2003)
  
• George Canyon (2nd place in 2004)
  
• Matt Lindahl (3rd place in 2004)
  

Actual Nashville Star Winners:

• Buddy Jewell (2003)
  
• Brad Cotter (2004)
  
• Erica Jo Heriges (2005)
  

Judge For Yourself...
I'm sure there are many more hidden gems in the following lists of Nashville Star contestants.

Nashville Star Season 1 Contestants (2003)

Here are the Top 12 in order of elimination:
Buddy Jewell - winner
John Arthur Martinez
Miranda Lambert
Brandi Gibson
Brandon Silveira
Amy Chappell
Jamey Garner
Prentiss Varnon
Travis Howard
Natasha Valentine
Kristen Kissling
Anne Louise Blythe

--> Nashville Star Season 1: Where Are They Now?

Nashville Star Season 2 Contestants (2004)

Here are the Top 20 in order of elimination:
Brad Cotter - winner
George Canyon
Matt Lindahl
Lance Miller
Jennifer Hicks
Brent Keith
Marty Slayton
Shelia Marshall
Mal Rodgers
Stacie Michelle
Gregory Delang
Laura Sullivan
Austin Hanks
Rachel Williams
Heather Green
Sean Patrick McGraw
Richie Jones
Brennan Leigh
Eddie Barber
Anessa Andrews

--> Nashville Star Season 2: Where Are They Now?

Nashville Star Season 3 Contestants (2005)

Here are the Top 10 in order of elimination:
Erika Jo Heriges - winner
Jason Meadows
Jody Evans
Jayron Weaver
Justin David
Jenny Farrell
Tamika Tyler
Casey Simpson
Christy McDonald
Josh Owen

--> Nashville Star Season 3: Where Are They Now?

Nashville Star Season 4 Contestants (2006)

In alphabetical order:
Jared Ashley
Shy Blakeman
Jewels Hanson
Nicole Jamrose
Monique LeCompte
Matt Mason
Kristen McNamera
Casey Rivers
Melanie Torres
Chris Young

--> Nashville Star Season 4: Where Are They Now?

AMERICAN IDOL

American Idol history & overview

Notable American Idol Losers:

• Justin Guarini (2nd place in 2002)
  
• Clay Aiken (2nd place in 2003)
  
• Kimberley Locke (3rd place in 2003)
  
• Josh Gracin (4th place in 2003)
  
• Diana DeGarmo (2nd place in 2004)
  
• Bo Bice (2nd place in 2005)
  

Actual American Idol Winners:

• Kelly Clarkson (2002)
  
• Ruben Studdard (2003)
  
• Fantasia Barrino (2004)
  
• Carrie Underwood (2005)
  

Judge For Yourself...
I'm sure there are many more hidden gems in the following lists of American Idol contestants.

American Idol Season 1 Contestants (2002)

Here are the Top 10 in order of elimination:
Kelly Clarkson - winner
Justin Guarini
Nikki McKibbin
Tamyra Gray
RJ Helton
Christina Christian
Ryan Starr
AJ Gil
Jim Verraros
EJay Day

-->American Idol 1: Where Are They Now?

American Idol Season 2 Contestants (2003)

Here are the Top 13 in order of elimination:
Ruben Studdard - winner
Clay Aiken
Kimberley Locke
Josh Gracin
Trenyce
Carmen Rasmusen
Kimberly Caldwell
Rickey Smith
Corey Clark
Julia DeMato
Charles Grigsby
Vanessa Olivarez
Frenchie Davis

--> American Idol 2: Where Are They Now?

American Idol Season 3 Contestants (2004)

Here are the Top 12 in order of elimination:
Fantasia Barrino - winner
Diana DeGarmo
Jasmine Trias
LaToya London
George Huff
John Stevens
Jennifer Hudson
Jon Peter Lewis
Camile Velasco
Amy Adams
Matthew Rogers
Leah LaBelle

--> American Idol 3: Where Are They Now?

American Idol Season 4 Contestants (2005)

Here are the Top 12 in order of elimination:
Carrie Underwood - winner
Bo Bice
Vonzell Solomon
Anthony Fedorov
Scott Savol
Constantine Maroulis
Anwar Robinson
Nadia Turner
Nikko Smith
Jessica Sierra
Mikalah Gordon
Lindsey Cardinale

--> American Idol 4: Where Are They Now?

American Idol Season 5 Contestants (2006)

In alphabetical order:
Melissa McGhee
Paris Bennett
Ayla Brown
Brenna Gethers
Heather Cox
Mandisa Hundley
Kinnik Sky
Katharine McPhee
Becky O'Donohue
Stevie Scott
Bobby Bennett
Kevin Covais
Bucky Covington
Chris Daughtry
Patrick Hall
Taylor Hicks
Will Makar
Gedeon McKinney
Jose Penala
David Radford
Elliot Yamin
Ace Young

--> American Idol 5: Where Are They Now?

MORE UPDATES:
American Idol 6: Where Are They Now?

ALL American Idol Contestants: Where Are They Now?

Seasons 1 Through 5: Where Are They Now?