The coolest thing about American Idol is that you don’t have to win to have a career. Sure, you may not hear of them all that often, but they are still working doing what they love and making money. Here’s what some of your favorite idols from the top 12 are doing now.
Tamyra Gray
Tamyra Gray left her management company Braude and is looking for new management and a record label after completing her second album. It is more commercial than her first. The songs will have a club feel, and feature more hip hop style songs. In September 2006 she married Color Me Badd Singer Sam Watters who helped out on her first album, Dreamer. You can catch up on what Tamyra is doing by visiting www.tamyra-gray.com.
Justin Guarini
Justin is working on his third album right now which will have a soul-funk sound. He also will appear in an indie romantic comedy called “Fast Girl. I am pretty sure that it will be better than the failed flick “From Justin To Kelly”. He currently lives in Los Angeles. You can see what he is doing by visiting his website at www.justinguarini.com
Christina Christian
You may remember her as the young lady Simon wanted to marry. Christina married her boyfriend Nicholas Cewe in 2004. She is a reporter for the TV Guide Channel, and signed with 19 Entertainment in 2003, and was to work on her debut album in London. I do not know how that is going, or if she still has a deal with the company. I could not find any more current information to confirm.
Nikki McKibbin
Has been doing quite a bit. She has a single/DVD released. “The Lie”, which is a music video, is featured on it as well as “To Be With You” from Mr. Big, and an original song “Naked Inside” written by her band The Mother Truckin Skull Diggers. In 2006 she started her own line of very unique jewelry called LIKK IT!
she was also on the Today Show early this year. You can catch her on Idol Extra April 4th. Her website is www.nikkimckibbin.com.
Ejay Day
Helped write a song for Raven-Symone’s second album Undeniable, called “Pure Love”. He’s performed several times for Muhammed Ali, was on the 2003 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. The summer of 2006 he was on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Explorer of the Seas.
Ryan Starr
Has appeared in numerous movies, commercials, and TV shows. Her music career has been held back, quite a long time. She had a two year contract with RCA Records, but it was too restricting, so she got out of it. She did have a single out on Itunes called “My Religion”, which went to # 1 US on the Billboard Hot Digital Songs Chart. Sales were 340,000 worldwide. Some shows and movies she’s been in are: That 70’s Show, Surreal Life, Ring Of Darkness. Ryan started her own swimline chained and has a two year contract with Lord & Taylor. In 2006-2007 she is touring North America, and possibly China. Definite places where she’ll be is New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Memphis. Right now bids from MTV, Fox Reality, Fuse and E! to launch her new reality show all about her struggles as a rocker, in a pop-loving industry. Ryan will also be wearing some of her clothing designs, and maybe Gucci on the runway. She is also very involved with charity work. She is constantly at work with the ONE project, to eliminate poverty and AIDS, and she is always helping poor children. Her own personal life isn’t that great, as she has cut off most of her immediate family. She admits she had it rough growing up, but will not comment further on the subject. She purchased a home on the Santa Monica Coastline with a value of a cool $3.4 million. www.ryanstarr.us
R. J. Helton
R. J. is signed with Gospocentric/B-Rite. Since the show he had offers in modeling, and acting. His debut album Real Life was out in March 2004. Matthew Knowles, I am sure you know who he is, his management company, Music World is managing R.J. His music following will be pop, gospel and Christian fans.
www.rjaholics.com
Jim Verraros
Jim has a new single out, “Dirty Criminal”, which you can hear when you log onto his website at www.jimverraros.com . In 2003 Jim “came out”. After that, his popularity hit an all time high. His indie CD won an Out Music Award in 2004. In 2005 he released his mainstream CD Rollercoaster on Koch Records. The single “You Turn It On” was in the top 20. Another single, “You’re Getting Crazy”, was a hit. He has done two films, on DVD with Ariztical Entertainment called, Eating Out and Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds. The second movie project which was just completed, is being shown in film festivals all over the world. Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds, will be released sometime this year.
