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‘American Idol’ artists album rocks charts worldwide
MUMBAI: The winners of the music based reality show American Idol are seeing their albums do well on the charts.
American Idol stars Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice and Kelly Clarkson ruled the charts last week with three of the top ten spots on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart the week before Christmas, historically one of the best selling weeks of the year for the music industry.
In addition, American Idol and Pop Idol artists, Clarkson and Will Young, also took two of the top 15 spots in the weekly sales chart in the UK.
Some Hearts, the debut album by American Idol 4 winner Carrie Underwood, rose from Number 5 to Number 2 on the chart with more than 271,000 units sold for the week. Some Hearts was certified platinum, with over one million albums sold, within just five weeks of its 15 November, 2005 release.
American Idol 4 finalist Bo Bice’s debut album, The Real Thing entered the chart this week at Number 4, with more than 226,000 albums sold. In addition, Bice’s hit single Inside Your Heaven/Vehicle was number three on the Billboard Singles Chart. American Idol 1 winner Kelly Clarkson’s most recent album Breakaway moved back into the Top 10 to Number 8, with more than 180,000 units sold for the week.
Breakaway has remained in the Top 20 since its release on 30 November, 2004, for a total of for 55 consecutive weeks and has been certified 4X platinum in the United States, with over four million units sold in the US and well over seven million copies sold worldwide.
American Idol 3 winner Fantasia is approaching the double platinum mark with her debut album Free Yourself and American Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken’s Christmas album Merry Christmas With Love recently soared past the million unit mark. Aiken is expected to release a new album next year.
American Idol creator Simon Fuller said, “This success is a true testament to the power of Idol fans and people power worldwide. Carrie, Bo and Kelly are prime examples of the impact of the Idol format, having been discovered by the American public, taken from obscurity and made into true superstars. I am proud to have created a format which has captured the imagination of music fans around the world and which can launch the careers of so many talented young singers. We are looking forward very much to the start of American Idol’s 5th season in January”
The success of Idol artists is not limited to the US and the UK. Idol continues to produce best selling artists in countries around the world where a local version of the format is run.
In France, the most recent winner, Myriam, and runner-up Pierrick have both reached the top five in sales for their recent albums and previous runner up, Amele, has sold close to 500,000 units.
In Australia, the most recent Idol winner Kate DeAraugo’s single reached Number 1 on the local singles chart and remains the third best selling single in the country. The first Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian’s second album has been certified double Platinum.
In Canada, the latest winner Melissa O’Neil recently reached Number 1 on the local radio charts with her single Alive.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
