Carrie Underwood Is ‘American Idol’s’ Biggest Earning Alum

Kelly Clarkson was 'American Idol's' first winner but it's season four winner Carrie Underwood who is Idol's biggest earning alum.

E! says the list of top earning Idol alums put together by Forbes estimates Underwood made $31 million from June of 2012 to June of 2013.  Her endorsement deal with Olay along with her North American tour helped her pull in big bucks and lead the list of Idol alum.  She's estimated to have earned $83 million over the past five years.

Kelly Clarkson's tour, greatest hits album and her Christmas album land the season one winner at second on the Forbes list.  Clarkson earned $7 million over the past year.

The third spot is a tie between Adam Lambert, season eight's runner up, and season eleven winner Philip Phillips.  Each earned $5 million.

Daughtry, who finished fourth during season five, placed fifth on the Forbes list with earnings of $4 million.

Daughtry should've won season five.  However, he's proof that you don't have to win or even place second to be incredibly successful.