BEHIND THE MUSIC

Kelly Clarkson is the best selling American Idol contestant with album and
digital download sales of 18.9 million. Carrie Underwood is second with album
and digital download sales of 15.7 million.

Artist            Total Album Sales   Total Digital Downloads Sales

Kelly Clarkson       9.4 million              9.4 million
Carrie Underwood     8.5 million              7.2 million
Clay Aiken           4.8 million                469,000
Chris Daughtry        4 million               5.2 million
Ruben Studdard       2.5 million                250,000
Fantasia             2.3 million                698,000
Bo Bice                721,000                  474,000
Jordin Sparks          717,000                    n/a
Taylor Hicks           702,000                  344,000
Katharine McPhee       371,000                1.1 million
Blake Lewis            291,000                    n/a
Justin Guarini         143,000                   28,000

(Source: Nielsen SoundScan, through May 4, 2008)


American Idols" Appearing on The Billboard 200 albums chart - Peak Position

Artist                 Title             Peak Position       Peak Date

Carrie Underwood  "Carnival Ride"              1         November 10, 2007
Kelly Clarkson    "My December"                2             July 14, 2007
Elliott Yamin     "Elliott Yamin"              3             April 7, 2007
Katharine McPhee  "Katharine McPhee"           2         February 17, 2007
Daughtry          "Daughtry"                   1          February 3, 2007
Taylor Hicks      "Taylor Hicks"               2         December 30, 2006
Clay Aiken        "A Thousand Different Ways   2           October 7, 2006
                   Ways"
Soundtrack        "American Idol Season        3             June 10, 2006
                   5: Encores"
Carrie Underwood  "Some Hearts"                2          December 3, 2005
Kelly Clarkson    "Breakaway"                  3         December 18, 2004
Ruben Studdard    "Soulful"                    1         December 27, 2003
Clay Aiken        "Measure of a Man"           1          November 1, 2003
Soundtrack        "American Idol Season 2:     2              May 17, 2003
                   Classic American Love
                   Songs"
Kelly Clarkson    "Thankful"                   1               May 3, 2003

(Source: The Billboard 200 through the charted date May 15, 2008)

Most Popular American Idol Contestants*
1) Carrie Underwood
2) Clay Aiken
3) David Archuleta
4) David Cook
5) Kelly Clarkson

Most Popular American Idol Contestants Season 7*
1) David Archuleta
2) David Cook
3) Jason Castro
4) Brooke White
5) Danny Norriega