American Idol... Who is next ?

I have been watching American Idol since it started a couple of years ago. It is a reality television singing competition created by Simon fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment which began airing on Fox on June 11, 2002. The concept of this show is to search for a solo recording artists and it aims to discover the best singer in the country where the winner is chosen by the viewers in a popularity type contest. This has become one of the most popular reality television show in the history of American television. This year it is the most viewed TV series in the Nielsen ratings.

There is a panel of judges who comments or critiques on the contestant’s performance. The original judges were Randy Jackson, a Grammy Award-winning record producer and music manager, Paula Abdul, a Grammy Award-winning pop singer and Emmy Award winning choreographer and Simon Cowell, award-winning music executive and music manager. This January 2011, the panel of judges now consist of Jennifer Lopez, an award-winning singer/actress and record producer, Steven Tyler, Aerosmith frontman and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and Randy Jackson. The show has been hosted by radio disc jockey, Ryan Seacrest.

American Idol  2011 Judges ~ Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson and Host ~ Ryan Seacrest

Below are the winners of American Idol since 2002 :

Kelly Clarkson, Season 1 (2002)

Born April 24, 1982

Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson rose to fame after winning the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and  later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.

Ruben Studdard, Season 2 (2003)

Born September 12, 1978

Christopher Theodore Ruben Studdard is an American R&B, pop, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol. He received a Grammy Award nomination in December 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Superstar."

Fantasia Barrino, Season 3 (2004)

Born June 30, 1984

Fantasia Monique Barrino is an American R&B singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. The Barrino family traveled and performed in the Carolinas and elsewhere in the American South and recorded the CD Miracles for a local label.

Carrie Underwood, Season 4 (2005)

Born March 10, 1983

Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005. She was raised on her parents' farm in the rural town of Checotah, Oklahoma.

Taylor Hicks, Season 5 (2006)

Born October 7, 1976

Taylor Reuben Hicks is an American singer who achieved fame in 2006, when he won the fifth season of American Idol. Hicks got his start as a professional musician in his late teens and performed around the Southeastern United States for well over the span of a decade, during which he also released two independent albums.

  Jordin Sparks, Season 6 (2007)

 Born December 22, 1989

Jordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop/R&B singer, songwriter, model and actress from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history.

  David Cook, Season 7 (2008)

Born December 20, 1982

David Roland Cook is an American rock singer-songwriter, who rose to fame after winning the seventh season of the reality television show American Idol. Prior to Idol he released an album entitled Analog Heart.

Kris Allen, Season 8 (2009)

Born June 21, 1985

Kristopher Neil "Kris" Allen  is an American musician and singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of the eighth season of American Idol.  Prior to Idol, he self-released a 2007 album entitled Brand New Shoes.

Lee DeWyze, Season 9 (2010)

Born April 2, 1986

Leon James "Lee" DeWyze, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter from Mount Prospect, Illinois, and the winner of the ninth season of American Idol.  Prior to Idol, DeWyze had a solo career and formed the Lee DeWyze Band.

Who is the next American Idol (Season 10)  ?

There are two contenders for this season's Grand Finale :  Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina.  Well, my favorite is Scotty so my vote goes to Scotty (I hope I can vote).  Maybe I will ask my boss who is already in the United States to vote on my behalf :) Good luck to both contestants !

Scotty McCreery

Born October 9, 1993

Scotty Cooke McCreery is an American singer from Garner, North Carolina. He used to impersonate Elvis as a child, and started learning guitar at age ten. He attended West Lake Middle School and sang at his graduation. He also attended Garner Magnet High School where he joined a vocal ensemble, Die Meistersingers, that performs across the United States.  McCreery is a fan of baseball and is a relief pitcher for his high school team - the Garner High School Trojans.

Lauren Alaina

Born November 8, 1994

Lauren Alaina Suddeth is an American singer from Rossville, Georgia.  She is a sophomore student at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, where she is a cheerleader.  Alaina was inspired to sing by her cousin, Holly Witherow, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Prior to Idol, Alaina performed at several Chattanooga-area venues and was the first winner of the WinniSTAR youth talent contest at Lake Winnepesaukah amusement park in 2009.