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The cost of being on 'American Idol'

Sanjaya and the lucrative cult of celebrity
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Sanjaya and the lucrative cult of celebrity

If there's one "Idol" contestant that has done the most with, well, the least, it's Sanjaya.

The sassy Seattleite with the "ponyhawk" parlayed a lackluster seventh-place finish in the show's sixth season into a multifaceted, laughing-all-the-way-to-the-bank career that includes modeling, recording, reality TV ("I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!"), theater, commercials and an autobiography ("Dancing to the Music In My Head").

He's not the only "Idol" to hit the bookshelves: For a little "Idol" reading, check out memoirs by David Archuleta ("Chords of Strength"), Melinda Doolittle ("Beyond Me"), Taylor Hicks ("Heart Full of Soul"), Clay Aiken ("Learning to Sing") and Fantasia ("Life Is Not a Fairy Tale").

Some Idols have gone on to international fame. Philippine-American Jasmine Trius from season three was so popular in the Philippines that she moved there. Michael Johns from season seven released a single especially for Asian fans.


 

 

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