Jim Verraros: The Idol contestant who captivated audiences by signing for his deaf parents, Jim Verraros has since come out of the closet and become a pseudo-poster child for the American gay press. This occurred when Fox made Jim remove pro-gay remarks from his American Idol website, a website sponsored by the Fox network. Since then, Jim has released an international album, Rollercoaster. One of Rollercoaster's tracks made the Top 25 of Billboard's Hot Club/Dance Chart hits.
Like many of his fellow contestants, Jim was bitten by the acting bug and starred in the 2004 comedy Eating Out as well as its 2006 sequel Eating Out 2. He has also been featured four times on The Feast of Fools, a podcast and Chicago-based variety show featuring gay themes.
Brian Dunkleman: Though not a contestant on American Idol, many people wonder whatever happened to "that other guy," the one who was seen hosting alongside Ryan Seacrest during the first season — Brian Dunkleman. After allegedly angering Simon Cowell, Brian left American Idol to pursue other endeavors. These other endeavors included appearances on The Tonight Show, Two Guys and a Girl, NYPD Blue, Courting Alex, The Ghost Whisperer, Friends, and Las Vegas.
Brian has also done voiceover work for The Proud Family, 3 South, and American Idol Rewind. Additionally, he makes regular appearances at the Laugh Factory and other comedy clubs around the nation as well as frequent appearances as host of Family Feud Live.
These people of American Idol's past may not be as famous as some of their former contestants, but they are still making names and careers for themselves and, it's safe to say, they aren't even near being done. It is certainly not time to close the curtain.
Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
Justin Guarini had great hair. That's all I remember about him -- that hair. Reminded me a character on The Simpsons.
2 - Kaonashi
I heard that Dunkleman left because he didn't like the way the contestants were treated, not just by Simon, but by the whole AI system.
Will you be talking about forgotten ex-contestants from other seasons in future articles? I'd be curious to know what's happened to them.
3 - Lara
Not a bad summary, but I'm always dumbfounded by the way Tamyra Gray's information is misrepresented. For example:
-Gray was dropped by two labels (Jive and 19 Records), but it's never mentioned.
-Nor is her one album described as "ill-received", although it sold less in over a year than Guarini's "ill-received" album did in the scant 16 weeks he was given by RCA.
-Her role in Boston Public was a limited guest role lasting only a few weeks. Other television spots were one shot guest roles (in most cases a cameo), with the exception of the two episodes on Tru Calling .
-Bombay Dreams closed early due to poor tickets sales and tepid reviews ("ill-received"), eight weeks into Tamyra's planned limited engagement of 11 weeks.
-She's been out of the spotlight for over two years, with the exception of her minor work for Jessica Simpson's album alongside her husband who was a main contributor on the album.
Warts and all... for everyone. Otherwise, it's a lopsided mispresentation.
4 - Lauren
How about a thing for Ryan? Ejay? RJ? Christina? AJ? 'Cause you know they didn't just drop off of the face of the earth
5 - Greg Gonedes
What ever happened to Christina Christine. She was so pretty and glamorous. I really liked her next to kelly clarkson and tamyra gray. she place 3 rd in my book. Can you email me updates on her were abouts today.
Thank you