Most of the young contestants who earn a spot on "American Idol" are there because they've got big dreams of music careers. But despite their hopes and ambition, not everyone has what it takes to make it in the music business. Still, thanks to weeks (or even months) spent in front of millions of people on national television, many "Idol" wannabes are able to parlay their newfound fame into other careers. Click through this slideshow to see who took their talent to Broadway, penned a bestselling book, and sapped it up on the soaps.Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

Although Los Angeles born beauty Katharine McPhee attracted all sorts of McPhans during her "American Idol" Season 5 journey, her music career never gained momentum and RCA subsequently dropped her. She’s always said her passion for acting was just as big as her passion for music, but so far appearances as herself on shows like "Ugly Betty" haven't really given her the opportunity to show off more than her pretty face. This summer she'll get to show us what she's made of in the feature film "House Bunny" where she plays a nerdy sorority girl who needs lessons on how to attract the opposite sex. The role is definitely going to require some acting skills from the newly-married Katharine. On the spokesmodel front, Katharine will follow-up her gig as the face of Sexy Hair products with a stint with Neutrogena.Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic.com - Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

"American Idol" Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino has turned into quite the Renaissance woman. Besides her successful singing career, the 23-year-old has delved into books and Broadway, and is ready to take on the big screen too. In 2005 she published her autobiography "Life is Not a Fairy Tale," and watched as her story became a bestseller. Last year she starred as Celie in Oprah Winfrey's Broadway production of "The Color Purple," and just a few months ago Fantasia announced that Ms. Winfrey has already cast her for the same role in the movie musical version. Fantasia also played herself in the TV movie version of her book two years ago. When does she have time to sleep?Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic.com - Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

Although eliminated from the "American Idol" Season 2 semifinals, the judges brought Kimberly Caldwell back as a wildcard contender, making her one of the 12 finalists. Kimberly was the sixth contestant eliminated that season, but since then, she's done quite well for herself. She has managed to become a prominent face on television, having been a host and a correspondent for the TV Guide Channel and has appeared on shows like Access Hollywood, Best Damn Sports Show, and Tucker Carlson. Off the TV screen, Kimberly has graced the pages of magazines like Maxim and Cosmopolitan and will be starring in the horror sequel "Wrong Turn 2." Looks like that wildcard paid off for her!TV Guide Channel - Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

One of the first rockers to grace the "American Idol" stage, Constantine Maroulis towered over his competition in pure personality. While his musical skills may have been somewhat forgettable, his searing and moody camera gazes left an undeniable mark on the pop culture landscape, ultimately scoring him a short stint on the soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful."CBS/Cliff Lipson - Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

Jennifer Hudson has yet to release a solo album, but she's the only "Idol" to hold the honor of winning an Academy Award. After her disappointing sixth-place showing during Season 3, Jennifer auditioned for the role of Effie White in the movie adaptation of "Dreamgirls," winning the part over hundreds of professional singers and actresses, including her former "Idol" rival Fantasia Barrino. Even more noteworthy, Jennifer managed to completely upstage her A-list co-stars (Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx). She subsequently won a Golden Globe, a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Oscar for the role. Now she has upcoming parts in "Winged Creatures" (with Forest Whitaker, Guy Pearce, Kate Beckinsale, and Dakota Fanning), "The Secret Life Of Bees" (with Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys), and the much anticipated "Sex And The City."DreamWorks SKG - Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

Although Clay Aiken has done exceptionally well as a solo artist after coming in second place on Season 2 of "American Idol," that didn't stop him from taking on another creative pursuit. Hello, Broadway! Experiencing a new burst of notoriety, Clay was cast in "Spamalot," Broadway's version of the British madcap comedy movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Clay plays Sir Robin, the lad who wants to be a knight but needs a bit of a bravery boost. Clay also got to fill in for the legendary Regis Philbin a couple of years ago when he co-hosted "Live with Kelly and Regis" last year. Maybe he'll try his hand at "Millionaire" next!Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic.com - Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

Raised by deaf parents and fluent in sign language, Jim Verraros from "American Idol" Season 1 made for a great story while in the Top 10, but he made bigger waves AFTER he left the show. Jim announced he was gay, and he then starred in two gay-themed comedy movies. He also released an album entitled "Rollercoaster" (that could have summed up his run on the show as well as the notoriety that came after).Ariztical Entertainment - Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

Tamyra Gray may not have quite the same super-successful singing career (or the household name) that her fellow "American Idol" alum have, but she's certainly used her popularity from Season 1 to her advantage. First Tamyra branched out into acting, landing a recurring role on the TV drama "Boston Public," but more recently she left the small screen behind for live theater when she joined the cast of the long-running Broadway show "Rent." Tamyra also has a talent for songwriting, penning songs for "Idol" buddies Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia. Not to mention she married a guy from '90s band "Color Me Badd." That’s gotta' count for something!Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic.com - Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

With her rocker edge and self-concocted attire, Ryan Starr exited the first season of "American Idol" a little sooner than anyone expected -- even Simon Cowell believed the girl was the real thing. Thankfully that didn't stop this former cheerleader and Prom Queen from pursuing her creative interests. From fashion design to modeling to acting, there doesn't seem to be anything she's not good at. But her real comfort zone might just be being herself on reality TV, most memorably shacking up in the "Surreal Life" house for Season 3.Denise Truscello/WireImage.com - Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

Diana DeGarmo catapulted from Season 3's runner-up spot (behind Fantasia Barrino) to the Broadway stage. Although Diana had appeared in the children's choir in renditions of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Annie" during her pre-"American Idol" days, the exposure she got on the show helped her land the role of Penny Pingleton in "Hairspray" on the Great White Way.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic.com - Tuesday, April, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM