A new wave of American Idol mania is set to hit the globe starting tonight, with the airing of the opening episode of season 5. 4 whole years have passed since Kelly Clarkson was crowned as the first American Idol, and all winners and runner ups of the past 4 seasons have released their albums. It seems however, that the original Idol is the only one to have made it so far.

Kelly Clarkson's 2004 release (yes, it's been more than a year) Breakaway has turned into the #3 selling album of 2005, shifting over 4 million copies in the US. For your information, Breakaway is still in top 10 position according to Billboard. Clarkson also swept 11 #1s on Billboard's year end recaps. Do not drop your jaw too much though, because Billboard has created too many categories. Some #1s she got from Billboard in 2005 were Top Pop Artist, Top Pop Single for 'Since U Been Gone' and top for the Adult Contemporary Chart (title track). Impressive eh? Only Miss Mariah bimbo Carey's amazing comeback album and Green Day's American Idiot stopped her from dominating all sales charts in 2005.

Looking at other previous Idols, their combined results hardly sparkle as much as Clarkson. Ruben and Clay Aiken had a good run for a short while but lost steam. Their 2nd albums (i'm not considering holiday albums here) have yet to see the daylight. Fantasia and Diana DeGarmo were the poorest selling finalists so far and this is unacceptable because I love Fantasia, and Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice's albums are still too new to see how well they can sell. One thing to take of though is that Carrie has already managed to sell over 2 million copies of Some Hearts in the US. Remember when Simon Cowell claimed that Carrie Underwood will be the most successful Idol of all time? We'll see if she can beat Kelly. Simon Cowell's claim however, is not without reason. Because Shania Twain has currently the 7th best selling album of all time now. Come On Over sold over 20 million copies in the US.

Ok. Enough of figures. We'll see who reigns supreme in a few years' time. Meanwhile, let's all enjoy Idol Season 5.