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Your Favorite ‘American Idol’ Contestants Look a Lot Different These Days — and Are All Doing Really Cool Things!


Ever since we heard American Idol will be returning to television in 2018, we’ve been feeling nostalgic about our favorite contestants. From Kelly Clarkson to Jordin Sparks, so many amazing talents were discovered during the series’ 15 seasons!

In May, it was reported that alums Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, and Chris Daughtry may be joining the new judges panel. Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr. vacated their spots after the show went off the air in 2016.

MORE: Carrie Underwood Turns 34 — Relive Her Memorable ‘American Idol’ Audition!

We wouldn’t be surprised to see Carrie return to the reality show, though she admitted to being terrified when she made it to Hollywood in Season 4. “Idol was probably the most horrifying thing, because I had never been away from my hometown like that before,” she told Parade magazine in 2015. “I was in LA, of all places, by myself, putting myself out there, which is a scary thing for anybody to do. My first plane ride was when I was going out to LA. alone.”

Little did she know that she’d soon be embarking on a legendary career. “I always kept in my head, ‘If nothing else ever comes of this, I got to do the coolest thing ever and I won American Idol,'” she said. “I was like, ‘Okay, I will just have fun with this and save up as much money as I can and finish school and get a real job.’” Who needs a “real job” when you’ve sold more than 65 million records?!

Scroll through the gallery below to see what your favorite Idol contestants are up to now!