Clay Aiken proved you don't have to win "American Idol" to succeed in entertainment, and now a number of former contestants are showing you don't even need to make the final two.

From the first season, Tamyra Gray, who co-wrote what will be Fantasia Barrino's first single, released her long-awaited debut album Tuesday. RJ Helton has a hit Christian album and just signed with Beyoncé's father, manager Mathew Knowles. Vanessa Olivarez, meanwhile, is playing the lead in the Toronto version of the Broadway musical "Hairspray."

Kimberley Locke, from season two, is climbing the charts with her debut LP, Joshua Gracin has a June release scheduled and Kimberly Caldwell recently signed with Randy Jackson and songwriter Diane Warren's new label.

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