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Farewell, Idol: 11 Contestants Who Appeared in Horror Films!

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Hit singing competition series “American Idol” ends its fifteen year run tonight and this year, the farewell season, has been all about celebrating memorable moments, milestones and accomplishments that the reality show takes responsibility for. The goal was simple from the get-go, find and create a star that the American public could embrace and give them a lucrative recording contracts. While singers like Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert have maintained massive careers as singers, there have been tons of performers outside of Jennifer Hudson who have done well in the entertainment industry as actors.

I have compiled a comprehensive list of “American Idol” contestants who have appeared in horror films, so at least we as horror fans can find a reason to celebrate the show in a minimal type of way. Little fun fact: I actually auditioned for “American Idol” season six and even received a call back, but that was where my journey ended. You may not know their names, but I think you’ll be surprised to see where some of the show’s contestants popped up. I’m sure more faces will pop up in the future, but for now – let’s say goodbye to the show that kickstarted the reality TV subgenre of singing competitions, one that was also the #1 show in America for a number of years.

Goodbye, Idol! Hello, horror! In chronological order…

Red haired punk rocker Nikki McKibbin finished in third place during Idol’s debut season, somehow beating out the odds on favorite Tamyra Gray in that spot. McKibbin would later appear in The Scorned (2005) playing the bit part of – what else – a party singer. Another season one rocker and the first contestant to ever display her displeasure on the show, Ryan Starr finished in seventh place. While her debut single “My Religion” broke all sorts of iTunes records in 2004, her supporting role in David DeCoteau’s Ring of Darkness (2004) proved less successful and her death scene was quite laughable. Finishing in third place behind Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken hasn’t hurt Kimberley Locke‘s career at all. The season two contestant has notched four #1 hits on the Billboard Dance Charts and three #1 hits on the Adult AC Charts, and most recently Locke landed a small part in 2015’s The App. Kimberly Caldwell, season two’s seventh place finisher, has focused more on television hosting than music since her days on Idol. However, she’s also pursued an acting career; her most noticeable credit being the opening hacked-in-half death scene in Wrong Turn 2 (2007). Ashley Hartman was one of the many beauties featured in season two of Idol. After being voted off during the Top 32 rounds, the judges suggested that she get into modeling and acting. Hartman took their advice and later booked a supporting role in SyFy’s Abominable (2006).

Fast forward to season five and runner-up Katharine McPhee is still making a killing in Hollywood as an actress. Though she is currently starring on the hit drama “Scorpion,” McPhee previously landed a supporting role in the box office bomb Shark Night 3D (2011). The first winner on the list, Jordin Sparks was the champion of season six and her debut album was certified platinum after spawning two top ten singles. Though she played one of the leads in Whitney Houson’s last movie, Sparkle, her most recent movie – Left Behind (2014) – wasn’t nearly as successful. Jackie Tohn made it to the top 36 during Idol’s eighth season before heading making a Return to Sleepaway Camp (2008) and getting barbed wire wrapped around her face. Katrina Darrell only made it to the Hollywood rounds of season eight due to her good looks and polarizing personality, but her short stint on the show gave her enough name recognition to book a supporting role in All Saints Eve (2015). The second winner on the list, Lee DeWyze, was the champion of season nine, but played a lead role in short film Deadscapes long before he was on Idol in 2006. Last year’s top 24 competitor Loren Lott appeared as a featured extra in two horror films – Edges of Darkness (2008) and Devil’s Creek (2009).

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Michael DeFellipo

(Senior Editor)

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