Top 10 Celebrities Who Finished Second in a Competition but Later Became More Popular Than Those Who Finished First

The Top Ten
1 Jackie Evancho (America's Got Talent, Season 5) Jackie Evancho finished second on Season 5 of America's Got Talent in 2010 but later achieved significant success as a classical crossover artist, performing for several U.S. presidents. She became one of the top-selling classical artists of her generation.

Those who transcend existing paradigms are often punished by the establishment for challenging the boundaries. Jackie has something different, something better. History will acknowledge this.

Her third full studio album (of six overall), Awakening, will be released on 9/23, and her third PBS Great Performances special has been recorded. It will be broadcast in December 2014. It is not to be missed!

She went far enough on America's Got Talent to allow me and others to discover her! From there, she just kept climbing and hasn't stopped. What a wonderful talent and a remarkable family.

2 Adam Lambert (American Idol, Season 8) Adam Lambert, the runner-up on Season 8 of American Idol in 2009, went on to have a successful solo music career and later became the lead vocalist for Queen. His influence extended beyond music as he became a major LGBTQ+ figure in pop culture.

After finishing second on American Idol, he became more popular than the winner, Kris Allen. His sensational voice is praised by many celebrities, including Queen's Brian May. Now, he is performing with Queen in the absence of Freddie Mercury.

Adam does not need a gauge to show us how incomparable his talent is. It is off the charts, out of the ballpark, and out of this world amazing. First place would not even be relevant.

His immense talent in every genre is matched by his integrity. He is reported to be a totally nice guy by everyone he meets. A true star and inspiration in every way.

3 Susan Boyle (Britain's Got Talent, Season 3) Susan Boyle finished second on Season 3 of Britain's Got Talent in 2009, but her debut album became the best-selling debut album of all time in the UK. She achieved worldwide fame and continued releasing successful music.

A very sweet older lady with an amazing voice who came in second on Britain's Got Talent, but every time they show the video, they also show that jerk Simon Cowell.

4 One Direction (The X Factor UK, Season 7) One Direction placed third on Season 7 of The X Factor UK in 2010 but went on to become one of the biggest boy bands in history, achieving global fame and selling millions of albums. Their success far surpassed many winners of the show.
5 Fifth Harmony (The X Factor USA, Season 2) Fifth Harmony finished third on Season 2 of The X Factor USA in 2012 but went on to become one of the most successful girl groups of the decade, achieving multiple platinum singles and albums. Their members also pursued successful solo careers after disbanding.
6 Bashar al-Shatti (Star Academy, Season 1) Bashar al-Shatti, the runner-up on the first season of Star Academy in 2004, later achieved fame as a singer and actor in the Arab world. He built a substantial fan base, especially in the Gulf region, with a long-lasting entertainment career.
7 Katharine McPhee (American Idol, Season 5) Katharine McPhee finished second on Season 5 of American Idol in 2006 but later became well-known for her music career and for starring in TV shows like Smash and Scorpion. She also achieved success on Broadway.
8 David Archuleta (American Idol, Season 7) David Archuleta, the runner-up on Season 7 of American Idol in 2008, went on to release successful albums and became a popular artist, especially in the pop and contemporary Christian music scenes. His debut album was certified platinum.
9 Lindsey Stirling (America's Got Talent, Season 5) Lindsey Stirling placed second on America's Got Talent in 2010, but she later found immense success as a violinist, blending classical and electronic music. She became a popular YouTube star and released several successful albums.
10 Jessica Sanchez (American Idol, Season 11) Jessica Sanchez, who finished second on Season 11 of American Idol in 2012, went on to build a successful career in music, particularly known for her powerful vocals. She also gained a large international following, especially in the Philippines.
The Contenders
11 Lauren Alaina (American Idol, Season 10) Lauren Alaina, the runner-up on Season 10 of American Idol in 2011, found major success in the country music industry with multiple chart-topping singles and albums. She became a popular figure in country music and entertainment.
12 Dounia Batma (Arab Idol, Season 1) Dounia Batma finished second on the first season of Arab Idol in 2011 but became a prominent singer in the Arab world. She has released successful music and remains a well-known figure in the Arabic music industry.
13 Matt McAndrew (The Voice, Season 7) Matt McAndrew, the runner-up on Season 7 of The Voice in 2014, went on to have a career in music, releasing his own singles and working as a songwriter. He gained recognition in the alternative and indie music scenes.
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