Reality Singing Competitions Creating Superstars?

Source: Pixabay

Reality singing competitions has always been a part of TV-sphere, and dominated ratings. During the first half of 2000s, it became more popular through American Idol, a franchise originated from Pop Idol of United Kingdom. Nearly ten years of Idol's debut, The Voice, which has a different format (I even think it's more interesting) outrated AI and still running strong, though ratings are declining. Simon Cowell brought X-Factor, which is largely popular in UK, to America. Nevertheless, it was poorly received which eventually took only 2 seasons.

The three singing competitions produced several winners. However, have they really created superstars as these shows has promised? Yes, these competition shows produced hits for some of the winners, they created big stars as well. Though consistency is not a thing. Many of these winners' songs which charted at the Billboard official charts (Hot 100) are those songs given to them as victory song from the show. Only a handful though had success after their stint from the show.

American Idol

• Kelly Clarkson
  Kelly Clarkson can be considered the most successful Idol winner in global aspect. With number one albums and singles which she charted in a lot of countries, it made her a superstar. Her peak was her second album Breakaway which scored multiple top 10 hits and multiplatinum status, including Because of You.

• Carrie Underwood
  Carrie Underwood was among the biggest country superstars, though she had limited chart successes internationally. She is still currently doing well in America, particularly at the country music charts. In fact, the American Idol shadow has diminished from her, a testament she is an established singer.

Other singers such Jordin Sparks, Scotty McCreery, Phillip Phillips has produced hits but their peak was short-lived. Chris Daughtry achieved fame and became a big seller but through his band Daughtry. Chris haven't won the Idol though.

X-Factor

X-Factor US edition never scored a winner to become a superstar. Its first winner, Melanie Amuro is promising but there must be a problem with her promoters. However, the UK version had produced big stars. The only successful act the US edition produced was Fifth Harmony.

• Fifth Harmony
  The girls of Fifth Harmony has received success but took years before hitting big at the charts through Worth It. Their success is not comparable to other girl groups though like Spice Girls, TLC, or Destiny's Child. At the moment, they are now four-piece after Camilla Cabello left, who now has a flourishing career.

• Leona Lewis
  Leona Lewis had a short success, but she had a lustrous career then, even labelled as the Next Mariah Carey, and a successful career before Adele took over. She went multiplatinum for her album Spirit and a not-so-bad second album Echo. Her succeeding albums flopped though. Her signature hit Bleeding Love remains ome of the biggest hits from the last decade.

• One Direction
  One Direction may not have won the competition, but it's safe to say they were the most successful X Factor has produced. They scored 5 number albums and numerous top 10 hits, even a blockbuster movie. They became huge with their merchandise, and one of the biggest British artists since Spice Girls.

• Little Mix
  Little Mix has won X Factor, and they achieved success internationally. Their albums went top 10 in UK, a number 1 with Glory Days, and in the US with their first two albums. They also scored multiple hits workdwide.

• The Voice
  To date, The Voice has never produced a superstar. Some of the winners has sold well at iTunes but weren't radio stars, and those songs were from The Voice performances.

Despite these shows are not producing consistent superstar, yet thousands are still joining them. Admit it or not, these shows gives exposure for the artists. That can possible help them, as some of the artists today became known out of the shadow of these reality singing competitions.

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