William Hung
William Hung is the most well-known American Idol contestant in several ways. He didn’t win or even make the competition, but his off-key audition of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” went viral, resulting in a temporary record deal and a Top 30 album for Hung. He’s now a $600,000-plus motivational speaker.
Justin Guarini
We can hear you scoffing, but please bear with us. Yes, Justin Guarini is most known to the general public as the runner-up to Kelly Clarkson on the first season of American Idol, as well as the co-star of the awful From Justin to Kelly, and two albums that failed. He has, however, created a successful and financially lucrative ($700,000 net worth) Broadway career over the last 15 years or so.