Last month, ABC’s version of American Idol crowned its first winner, and since then, the contestants from that season and every season that came before have been hustling with new albums, music videos, and covers — in addition to appearing at shows, awards, and even tying the knot.
While it’s always good to catch up with them, a lot went down during the first month of summer, so let’s find out what Idol‘s talented group of alum did in June…
New Music
Album Releases
Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert also teased his next album this past month, calling the new sound “retro” and “organic.” His fans are definitely eager to hear it now! Season 13’s Jessica Meuse is also getting to release her debut album Halfhearted on Aug. 3. Before then, the singer plans to release three singles, the first of which, entitled “High” was released this past month. Season 5 rocker Chris Daughtry and his band also announced a new album entitled Cage to Rattle, due July 27 with the first single, an emotional ballad titled, “Deep End” now available.
Music Videos
Idol winner Trent Harmon welcomes this past season’s Top 3 – Maddie, Caleb, and Gabby – on stage at the Grand Ole Opry [Credit: Grand Ole Opry]
Season 15 Idol winner Trent Harmon may have just ceded his crown, but the singer has still be busy, playing a slew of shows at Nashville’s CMA Fest and releasing a stirring acoustic version of his new single “Her.”
Season 10’s Haley Reinhart has been busy, debuting a new song called “Expensive Taste” at L.A.’s famous music venue, The Troubadour.
Covers
Haley also teamed up with this past season’s Catie Turner to perform a duet to Britney Spears’ “Oops!… I Did It Again” with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, who often record covers and perform with Idol alum.
Also from Idol‘s latest season, Gabby Barrett and Cade Foehner released a passionate cover “Need You Now,” by Lady Antebellum.
Fans of Season 7’s David Archuleta will be glad to know they can hear him on YouTube star Pete Hollins’ new album Legendary Folk Songs. Hollins and Archuleta released a video for the classic song “Loch Lomond.”
Other News
Performances
For those looking to find out more about Idol‘s most recent winner, Maddie Poppe, the singer has started posting videos to her YouTube channel entitled “An American Idol Story,” which details her time on the show and everything she’s done since the confetti fell on her back in May. Additionally, Maddie performed her Idol single “Going, Going, Gone” at the Radio Disney Music Awards, alongside fellow Idol champs Carrie Underwood, who performed her single “Champion” with rapper Ludacris; and Kelly Clarkson, who performed a medley of her hits.
Several Idol favorites are scheduled to grace TV screens again on the 4th of July. Kelly Clarkson will be performing on Macy’s 4th of July Spectacular on NBC, while Season 14’s JAX and this past season’s Jonny Brenns will perform on the Hallmark Channel’s celebration. Season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina will also perform on PBS’ A Capital Fourth, so be sure to tune in for all of those!
Chris Daughtry also joined forces with David Cook to raise money for the Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City during the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend. The pair of Idol rockers performed a couple of classics: Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” and Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”
Awards
Idol winner Maddie Popper and Voice winner Brynn Cartelli present Kelly Clarkson with the Icon Award at the RDMAs [Credit: Disney]
Both Carrie and Kelly also received awards the night of the Radio Disney Music Awards. For Underwood, it was the Hero Award from ex-Idol judge Randy Jackson; and for Kelly, it was the Icon Award from Maddie herself and Brynn Cartelli, who won the voice as a member of Kelly’s team this past season. You can also hear Clarkson on country duo Dan + Shay’s new track “Keeping Score.”
Underwood and Lauren Alaina also snagged CMA Awards for their respective music videos: Underwood for “Champion” and Alaina for “What Ifs,” which features Kane Brown.
Announcements & Shows
Season 7 winner David Cook‘s run on Broadway’s Kinky Boots was so successful that the singer is set to return to the Great White Way on July 17, with his second run finishing on Sept. 9. If you missed him the first time, get your tickets now!
You can also check out this past season’s Top 7 — Maddie, Caleb, Gabby, Cade, Michael, Catie, and Jurnee — along with Season 8 winner Kris Allen this summer during the Idol tour. Tickets are available now! Alternatively, maybe you think you have what it takes to be on the Idol stage, in which case, auditions are going on during August and September around the country.
Idol winner Scotty McCreery and his new wife, Gabi Dugal. [Credit: Six Foot Photography]
Season 10 Idol winner Scotty McCreery got lucky in love this past month, marrying his long time girlfriend Gabi Dugal before heading to Bora Bora for their honeymoon. Congratulations you two! The singer also dropped a wedding-inspired lyric video to his song “This Is It” in honor of the special day.
What Idol music and shows are you excited about this month? Let us know in the comments below!
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