This page lists only acting roles and other projects undertaken in film, television and theater in the post-Idol career of American Idol contestants. It does not include guest musical performances or interviews on TV shows, or any pre-Idol work. It is also not intended to be a comprehensive list of all acting roles, appearances, awards nominated or won by any particular alum. Where there are multiple entries, only the more significant may be listed. Please see the appropriate links and references for individual alum for such more complete lists.
Season 1 The first season of American Idol saw its first and only attempt at expanding the Idol franchise into the film industry. The winner Kelly Clarkson and runner-up Justin Guarini played the leads in the musical comedy, From Justin to Kelly, but the film failed both critically and at the box office.American Idol' movie 'From Justin to Kelly' flops on opening weekend There have been no further film ventures with American Idol contestants.
Clarkson has also been a coach on The Voice, voiced characters in three animated movies, and hostile The Kelly Clarkson Show from September 2019, to August 2026. Guarini has starred in several musical productions, including in a non-musical production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet as Paris in 2013. He was the host of Idol Tonight and Idol Wrap on TVGN (TV Guide Network). Tamyra Gray has starred in several musical products including Rent in 2008. Jim Verraros has starred in gay-theme films, while semi-finalist Kristin Holt has begun a career as a TV show host.
Idol ContestantFilmTelevisionTheaterKelly ClarksonIMDb - Kelly Clarkson(Winner) From Justin to Kelly The Star UglyDolls Trolls World TourAmerican Dreams King of the Hill Reba Canadian Idol Duets The Crazy Ones Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale Nashville The Voice The Kelly Clarkson Show Winner - Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host, Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment (Daytime Emmy) Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around... American Song Contest Songs & Stories with Kelly Clarkson Justin GuariniIMDb - Justin GuariniIBDB - Justin Guarini(Runner-up) From Justin to Kelly (2003)as Justin BellNominated Worst Actor (Razzie) Fast Girl (2008)as Darryl K. Sands Run of the House (2003)as Paul Hanson (1 episode) Idol Tonight and Idol Wrap (2006–2009)Host'Idol Chat' to gab no more? Gone Country (2009)Contestant Sketched Out TV (2009, web series)Performer Good Vibrations (2004)as Jan"American Idol" Singer Justin Guarini to Star in Workshop of Beach Boys Musical Good Vibrations, July 29-Aug. 1 Playbill, July 7, 2004 Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (2010–2011, Broadway)as Carlos American Idiot (2011, Broadway)as Will Rent (2011, Regional)as Roger DavisFull Cast Announced for Justin Guarini-Led RENT at Surflight Chicago (2011, Regional)as Billy Flynn Ghost Brothers of Darkland County (2012, Regional)as Drake Romeo and Juliet (2013, Broadway)as Paris Wicked (2014, Broadway)as Fiyero Mamma Mia! (2016, Regional)as Sam CarmichaelMurney, Ann Harada, Justin Guarini Set for Muny Mamma Mia! Playbill, May 31, 2016 In Transit (2016, Broadway)as TrentGans, Andrew. " 'In Transit', New A Cappella Musical, Begins Broadway Previews" Playbill, November 10, 2016 Once Upon a One More Time (2023, Broadway)as Prince CharmingNikki McKibbinIMDb - Nikki McKibbin(3rd place) The Scorned (2005, television film)as singer Fear Factor (2005)Contestant "Battle of the Network Reality Stars (2005)Contestant Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (2008)as herself Sober House (2009)as herself Tamyra GrayIMDb - Tamyra GrayIBDB - Tamyra Gray (4th place) The Gospel (2005)as Rain Walker Rachel Getting Married (2008)as singing friend Boston Public (2003)as Aisha Clemens (7 episodes) Tru Calling (2004)as Carly Anders (1 episode) What I Like about You (2004)as Danielle (2 episodes) Bombay Dreams (2004–2005, Broadway)as PriyaNeon lights are bright on Broadway for 'Idol' stars Rent (2007–2008, Broadway) as Mimi Marquez Twist (2011, Regional)as DellaTamyra Gray & Cleavant Derricks Lead TWIST Musical at Pasadena Playhouse this Summer Once on This Island (2018–2019, Broadway) as Papa Ge Christina ChristianIMDb - Christina Christian(6th place) Celia: The Queen (2008, documentary)as young Celia Cruz CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2003)as Kenisha Jones (Season 3, Episode 16) Burn Notice (2009)as female bartender Ryan StarrIMDb - Ryan Starr(7th place) Ring of Darkness (2004, television film) as Stacy What I Like About You (2003)as Pam (2 episodes) CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2003)as Sophia Renatta (Season 4, Episode 4) The Surreal Life (2004)as herself (12 episodes) Gimme My Reality Show! (2008)ContestantFox Announces The Cast for "Gimme My Reality Show!" Jim VerrarosIMDb - Jim Verraros(9th place) Eating Out (2004)as Kyle Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds (2006)as Kyle Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild (2008)
Season 2 The winner of season 2, Ruben Studdard, teamed with the fifth-place finisher Trenyce and the disqualified semi-finalist Frenchie Davis to star in the touring production of Ain't Misbehavin', the recording of which won a Grammy nomination. The runner-up Clay Aiken enjoyed two successful stints on Broadway in the musical Spamalot. Davis also had some success on Broadway, as did Hollywood round auditioner Josh Strickland who starred as Tarzan in musical of the same name.
Kimberley Locke and Kimberly Caldwell have both pursued a career as TV hosts aside from their music.
{| class="wikitable" |- !Idol Contestant !Film !Television !Theater |- | Ruben StuddardIMDb - Ruben Studdard(Winner) | Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004)as himself Lifted (2010)as Pastor Johnson The Perfect Gift (2011)as Michael Harris Stakes (2094)as Ruben (short) | One on One (2004)as himself (Season 3, episode 15) 8 Simple Rules (2005)as Guy (Season 3, episode 20) Life on a Stick (2005)as Bobby (Season 1, episode 3) All of Us (2005)as grown Bobby Eve (2006)as Paul (Season 3, episode 15) The Biggest Loser (2013)contestantRuben Studdard Will Compete on The Biggest Loser Retrieved July 1, 2013 | Ain't Misbehavin' (2008, national tour)Ruben Studdard, Frenchie Davis to Tour in Ain't Misbehavin'as Fats WallerNominated - Best Musical Show Album (Grammy)West Side Story Cast Album Wins Grammy Award |- | Clay AikenIMDb - Clay Aiken(Runner-up) |* Sandy Wexler (2017)as New Ugly Duckling | Ed (2004)as himself (Season 4, episode 15) Scrubs (2005)as Kenny (Season 4, episode 17) All My Children (2005)as himself (1 episode) 30 Rock (2009)as himself (Season 3, episode 22) Phineas and Ferb (2010)as himself (voice) Drop Dead Diva (2011)as Tyler Callahan Celebrity Apprentice (2012)Candidate The Office (2013)himself (Season 9, episode 22) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2013)as himself (Season 15, Episode 7) Sharknado 5: Global Swarming (2017)as Lleweyln (TV movie) New Dogs, Old Tricks (1018)as Nathan (Season 1, episode 6) | Spamalot (2008–2009, Broadway)as Sir RobinClay Aiken Headed Back to Broadway in Spamalot Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2013, regional)as Joseph |- |Kimberley LockeIMDb - Kimberley Locke(3rd place)
Little Talent Show (2006)Host Gospel Dream (2009)Host Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World (2009)as Steamroom Sally (voice)
|Josh GracinIMDb - Josh Gracin(4th place)
The Young and the Restless (2006)as Jake
| TrenyceIMDb - Trenyce(5th place) | Friends & Lovers: The Ski Trip 2 (2008)as Unique
Dreamgirls (2006, regional)Indiana Black Expo Presents Trenyce in the Broadway Musical as Deena Jones Love in the Nick of Tyme (2007, national tour)as PortiaVariety - Love in the Nick of Tyme Ain't Misbehavin''' (2008, national tour)as CharlaineNominated - Best Musical Show Album (Grammy) Thriller – Live (2010–2011, London, European tour)Vocalist |- |Carmen RasmusenIMDb - Carmen Rasmusen(6th place) | Pride & Prejudice (2003)as Charlotte Lucas Racing Ace (2005)as Marilyn | Fear Factor (2006)Contestant
| Kimberly CaldwellIMDb - Kimberly Caldwell(7th place) | Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007)as Kimberly Caldwell Deception (2012)as Paige Matthews | Life on a Stick (2005)as Kimberly Idol Tonight and Idol Wrap (2007–2009)Host P. Diddy's Starmaker (2009)Host Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp (2011)HostFranklin & Bash (2012)as Bree (Season 2 episode 9) Best Ink (2012)HostOxygen Moves Season Premiere of "Best Ink" to Tuesday, March 27 at 10PM ET/PT
| Rickey Smith(8th place)
OZ, the Musical (2009, national tour)as Tinman |- |Corey ClarkIMDb - Corey Clark(9th, disqualified)
Primetime Live (2005)as himself
| Vanessa Olivarez(12th place)
Hairspray (2005, Toronto)as Tracy TurnbladNominated - Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role - Musical (Dora Award) |- | Frenchie DavisIMDb - Frenchie DavisIBDB - Frenchie Davis(Semi-finalist) | We Are Family (2011)as JoJoDean Dumbbells (2012)'The Voice's' Frenchie Davis to Make Feature Film Debut in 'Dumbbells' | The Voice (2011)ContestantFrenchie Davis returns! 'Idol' castoff passes blind audition on NBC's 'The Voice' | Rent (2003–2007, Broadway)as Mrs Jefferson and others Ain’t Misbehavin' (2008, national)Nominated - Best Musical Show Album (Grammy)
Season 3 Season 3 winner, Fantasia had a critically and commercially successful stint in musical theater notably starring in The Color Purple.'The Color Purple' Ends Broadway Run Weeks After Fantasia's Exit; Movie Version May Be On The Way She was in her own TV show for one season and also acted in movies. The runner-up, Diana DeGarmo also found success in musical theater starring in Broadway musicals including Hair and Hairspray.
Seventh-place finisher, Jennifer Hudson, became one of the most successful American Idol contestants when she landed a part in the film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls, and then won major awards as supporting actress including an Oscar. She has since starred in many major films including Sex and the City and Sing. Eleventh-place finisher, Matthew Rogers has a steady career as a TV show host. Alan Ritchson who was often featured in audition and Hollywood rounds pursued a career as a TV and film actor and auditioner William Hung briefly landed some acting roles due to his exposure on the show.
Idol ContestantFilmTelevisionTheater FantasiaIMDb - Fantasia Barrino (Winner) Life Is Not a Fairy Tale (2006, television film)as herself The Color Purple (2023)as CelieNominated - Best Actress (Golden Globe, BAFTA) American Dreams (2004)as Aretha Franklin (Season 2, 1 episode) The Simpsons (2005)as Clarissa Wellington (1 episode) Fantasia for Real (2010–2011)as herself The Color Purple (2007, Broadway)as CelieWon Theatre World Award for debut theatre performance After Midnight (2013, Broadway)performer Diana DeGarmoIMDb - Diana DeGarmoBroadway World - Diana DeGarmo(Runner-up) The First Ride of Wyatt Earp (2012)as Dora Hand The Fairly OddParents (2006)as Cosmo (singing voice) The Young and the Restless (2011–2012)as AngelinaExclusive: American Idol Vet Diana DeGarmo Joins The Young and the Restless Planet 360 (2013)as co-host Hairspray (2006–2007, Broadway) as Penny Pingleton The Toxic Avenger (2009, off-Broadway) as Sarah Hair (2010, Broadway) as Sheila Franklin 9 to 5Diana DeGarmo Tweets Her Casting in 9 to 5 National Tour (2010–2011, National Tour)as Doralee Rhodes Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2014, regional)'American Idol' Sweethearts Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo Team Up for 'Technicolor' Love The Marvelous Wonderettes (2016, Off-Broadway) as Suzy SimpsonDiana Degarmo Begins Performances with THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES Broadway World, Retrieved May 25, 2016 Into the Woods (2023, regional)as the WitchFeature: INTO THE WOODS at Short North StageJasmine Trias(3rd place)IMDb - Jasmine Trias North Shore (2004) as herself (1 episode) Your Song (2006–2007) as Charry and Joanne (2 episodes) LaToya London(4th place)