America’s Got Talent Most Successful Losers

Jackie Evancho (Singer)

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The most well known runner up in  America's Got Talent has to be Jackie Evancho.  She appeared in Season 5 back in 2010 and hasn't looked back since.  Her first EP, “O Holy Night” went platinum in the States and she has released 6 studio albums, every one topping the Billboard classical album charts.

JabbaWocKeeZ (Dance Group)

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Hip-hop dance group JabbaWocKeez were eliminated in the Las Vegas callbacks in Season 2 in 2007.  That was not the end of them as they have appeared in numerous commercials and television shows.  In 2010 they lived the dream and headlined in Las Vegas.

Lindsey Stirling (Violinist) Violinist/Dancer

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Lindsey Stirling got through to the semi finals in Season 5 before being eliminated.  Luckily for her, her feet haven't touched the ground since!  Lindsey has amassed a massive following from her YouTube videos and has recorded 3 studio albums of electronic violin-centric music, all bubbling under the top 5 on the Billboard 200.

Melissa Villaseñor (Comedian/Impressionist)

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Bet you didn't know that a current “Saturday Night Live” cast member got her start on America’s Got Talent!  Melissa Villaseñor appeared on Season 6 in 2011, making it to the semi finals. She lent her unique voice to many animated programs after the show and was then hired as a cast member on “SNL."

The Texas Tenors (Vocal Group)

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The Texas Tenors were the highest placed vocal group in “AGT” history, making the top 4 in Season 4. They are also the top selling group to come out of the show, releasing 5 albums since 2011. They were nominated for 5 Rocky Mountain Emmys in 2014 for their PBS special “You Should Dream”, walking away with 3 wins.

Bria Kelly (Singer)

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Amazing singer got through to the semi finals in 2012 on Season 7.  Over the past 10 years she has released top 5 albums and appeared on many tv shows.  A close friend of the late Christina Grimmie (from The Voice US) who was shot and killed in Orlando in 2016. Kelly has urged followers to support "Christina' Law."  This is to advocate stricter security measures at all music venues.

Jon Dorenbos (Magician)

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Jon Dorenbos’ magnificent  card tricks and magical predictive abilities understandably got him all to third place on Season 11 of America's Got Talent.  Dorenbos is a long snapper for the NFL, though he has been sidelined because he needed heart surgery.  He returned as a guest to "AGT" to perform crazy magic tricks in August 2017.

Piff The Magic Dragon (Comedian/Magician)

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Hilarious magician Piff the Magic Dragon was so popular with the audience back home and got to the Top 10 of America’s Got Talent back in Season 10. He has been touring the country ever since, performing in Las Vegas at the Bugsy’s Cabaret at Flamingo.  He returned to "AMT" in Season 12 to show off some more great magic.

Tape Face (Mime)

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Tape Face, a.k.a. Sam Wills, was definitely one of the more unique acts on Season 11  and America was right behind him, helping him make it all the way to the Top 10. He appeared with Season 11 winner Grace VanderWaal at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in October and currently tours the country with his unusual comedic stylings.

Brian Justin Crum (Singer)

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Brian Justin Crum smashed it when he stunned the crowd with his Broadway-trained voice on Season 11 of “AGT."  He made 4th place and has continued to perform all over the country, particularly at LGBT events.  He showed up on the Billboard dance charts with his own cover of Robyn’s “Show Me Love.”

Angelica Hale (Singer)

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Angelica Hale certainly melted everyone’s heart when she made her debut on America’s Got Talent. She was talented with a voice of an angel and, despite battling health issues, the young girl made it through to the finals.  Even though she lost, she grew a strong fanbase and bagged some great jobs at high profile events.

These Artists Didn't Win Their Singing Competition But Made It BIG! Adam Lambert (American Idol)

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Adam Lambert appeared in Season 8 of American Idol.   He had been starring in "Wicked" before his audition so the audience had high expectations.  They weren't disappointed with his powerful vocals.  He came second in the show but we know, since then, he has become the front man for "Queen" as well as selling over 5 million singles and 3 million albums.

Beyonce (Star Search)

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It's hard to believe that, at the age of 8, Beyonce, along with Kelly Rowland and 3 other young girls, auditioned on Star Search.  The girls were part of an all-girl group called Girl’s Tyme!  After rapping and dancing, they missed out on the top spot and were so disappointed.  Fast forward and it's a totally different story!

Jennifer Hudson (American Idol)

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Long before she won an Academy Award, an Emmy and 2 Grammys, Jennifer Hudson was trying to get her big break.  She tried out for American Idol in season 3  and made the top 9 before she was eliminated.  Fast forward and Jennifer has experienced more success than she could ever have imagined

Justin Timberlake (Star Search)

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Justin Timberlake’s auditioned in 1993 on Star Search with a country theme, dressing and singing completely differently to the pop star he became. He lost and was reported to have been in floods of tears but those tears have long since dried up. Justin has won 10 Grammys and 4 Emmys since those days!

Lewis Capaldi (Britain’s Got Talent)

Image source: Daily RecordLewis Capaldi’s story is crazy! While other stars got on shows and stayed a few weeks before elimination,  Lewis didn't make it past the first stage!  He was told that he'd get a call back from the producers but that call never came.  I bet they are kicking themselves now as the singer has become a mega star both in the UK and here in the States.

Usher (Star Search)

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When Usher was just 13 he competed on Star Search which was the most viewed singing talent show during that era.  His performance was good and he held a note so long, really impressing the judges. the judges were very impressed. He didn't win but got the attention of a record label executive who signed him up. The rest, as they say, is history!

One Direction (The X Factor)

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One Direction came third in The X Factor’s 7th season but judge Simon Cowell signed them anyway to his label, Syco Records. Their first single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” became Sony Music’s most pre-ordered single.  The group took the world by storm and Harry Styles, in particular, has been catapulted to the very top.

Bebe Rexha (American Idol)

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Bebe Rexha did not make it past the auditions for American Idol.  She was bitterly disappointed as that girl could sing but the judges just didn't see it. Her brush with fate turned full cycle when she was invited to Live with Kelly and Ryan once she had hit it big!

LeAnn Rimes (Star Search)

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Appearing on Star Search in Season 9, LeAnn Rimes sounded professional.  She was only 9years of age but her vocal ability was excellent.  Despite this, she didn't win the show but barely 6 years later, LeAnn got her own back by becoming the youngest person to ever win a Grammy.

Tori Kelly (American Idol)

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When Tori Kelly was only 16, she auditioned for American Idol but never made the cut. she turned to YouTube instead and got noticed by millions.  Tori has become the star she was supposed to be and has worked with artist manager extraordinaire, Scooter Braun.  He is responsible for the success of Justin Bieber.

Christina Aguilera (Star Search)

Image source: Daily MailChristina Aguilera wowed audiences with her stunning powerhouse of a voice at the age of 10 during Season 8 of Star Search and she made it through to the semi finals but got no further.  Three years later, she joined The Mickey Mouse Club and later, in 1998  landed the theme song for Mulan, “Reflection.”

Carly Rae Jepsen (Canadian Idol)

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Season 5 of Canadian Idol saw Carly Rae Jepsen place third in the competition. Rather than being the end of her career, it was just the beginning as in 2012 she released “Call Me Maybe” making her an international star.  Jepsen’s second album proved even more successful than her first, reaching the top 10 in the US.

Susan Boyle (Britain's Got Talent)

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Susan Boyle completely wowed audiences with her rendition of “I Dreamed A Dream” at her first Britain’s Got Talent audition.  She was expected to win the show but placed second to dance group Diversity. Boyle’s first studio album, I Dreamed A Dream, set a record for the most sales for a debut album in its first week of release.

Katharine McPhee (American Idol)

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In Season 5 , Katharine McPhee became the runner-up on American Idol.  She lost to Taylor Hicks but her debut album cemented her popularity with fans as it reached number two on the Billboard 200 charts.  The album featured the hit “Over It,” which was certified gold.

And Here's The Voice US Most Successful Losers! Koryn Hawthorne (Season 8)

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Koryn was on Pharrell Williams' team and finished 4th.   She has since experienced success through her gospel career and was nominated for the Grammys twice for Best Gospel Performance.  She broke the record for being the longest chart-topping woman on the Hot Gospel Songs chart!

Nicolle Galyon (Season 2)

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Nicolle Galyon only got one turn during her blind audition and that was from Adam Levine. The country singer was eliminated in the Battle Rounds but made a discovery during her journey -  she didn’t want to be a singer and wanted to write songs instead.  Since then she has penned many hits for big stars and also produced an album for RaeLynn.

Christina Grimmie (Season 3)

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The songstress finished in third place on The Voice US, going on to open for Selena Gomez and perform back up vocals for the Jonas Brothers.  Before her untimely death, aged 22, after being shot during a meet and greet with fans,  Christina had amassed over 2 million subscribers on YouTube.

Morgan Wallen (Season 6)

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Originally on Team Usher and later stolen by Adam Levine, Morgan Wallen was eliminated in the play offs but didn't stop there.  He soon headed to Nashville to try his hand at country music instead of the pop songs that he sang on the show.  He had instant success, with four No. 1 singles, winning the CMA award for New Artist of the Year and also releasing the double album Dangerous.

Loren Allred (Season 3)

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Despite being eliminated in the playoffs, Loren Allred made her Billboard Hot 100 debut with "Never Enough" from the musical soundtrack from The Greatest Showman.  She performed on Michael Buble's album, duetting on "Help Me Make It Through the Night," and also alongside David Foster.