Kelly Clarkson is highest-earning American Idol star
Singer Kelly Clarkson has been crowned the highest-earning American Idol contestant, according to Forbes magazine.
Clarkson, who was the talent show's first winner in 2002, came out on top of a success list after pulling in a whopping $8 million over a 12-month period, beginning in May, 2011.
Fellow champion Carrie Underwood shared second place with rocker
Chris Daughtry with earnings of $5 million , while country singer
Scotty McCreery came in third with $4 million .
Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson was fourth after surprisingly only
raking in $3 million and Jordin Sparks rounded out the top five
with a modest $2 million .
Other singers to make the top 10 include Adam Lambert, Katharine
McPhee, Kellie Pickler, David Archuleta and David Cook.
Clarkson's latest triumph caps off an amazing month for the star -
she became engaged to boyfriend Brandon Blackstock at Christmas
(Dec12) and performed at President Barack Obama's inauguration
ceremony.