'American Idol': Lee DeWyze's first-week sales lower than all winners or runner-ups
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The numbers are out for "American Idol" Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze's debut album "Live It Up" and they are not good. The album debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 39,000 units, according to Nielsen Soundscan.And actually, Lee isn't only the lowest-selling winner, but he's lower than any runner-up, beating Diana DeGarmo by 8,000 less albums sold. Now granted, that was in 2004 and this is 2010 -- people don't buy entire albums like they used to. But even just last year, Kris Allen sold 80,000 albums in one week and Glambert sold almost 200,000.
USA Today has compiled all first-week sales figures for each winner and runner-up so that you can compare. We wonder how Crystal Bowersox's "Farmer's Daughter" will do? Her album drops Dec. 14.
Season 8
No. 11, Kris Allen, Kris Allen (80,000)
No. 3, Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment (198,000)
Season 7
No. 3, David Cook, David Cook (280,000)
No. 2, David Archuleta, David Archuleta (183,000)
Season 6
No. 10, Jordin Sparks, Jordin Sparks (119,000)
No. 10, Blake Lewis, Audio Day Dream (98,000)
Season 5
No. 2, Taylor Hicks, Taylor Hicks (298,000)
No. 2, Katharine McPhee, Katharine McPhee (116,000)
Season 4
No. 2, Carrie Underwood, "Some Hearts" (315,000)
No. 4, Bo Bice, "The Real Thing" (227,000)
Season 3
No. 8, Fantasia, Free Yourself (240,000)
No. 52, Diana DeGarmo, Blue Skies (47,000)
Season 2
No. 1, Ruben Studdard, Soulful (417,000)
No. 1, Clay Aiken, Measure of a Man (613,000)
Season 1
No. 1, Kelly Clarkson, Thankful (297,000)
No. 20, Justin Guarini, Justin Guarini (57,000)
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Photo credit: Live it Up
Probably has a lot to do with the fact that Lee was the best of the worst, which is in no way a compliment. American Idol likes to brag about the "millions" of votes that are tabulated for contestants, however they don't translate into sales. Largely because you can vote as many times as you want. I'd like to see them allow one vote per person to get a more realistic vote count range.
Lee's album is done...Sony should just move on and be glad they stuck with Simon and that Idol went to UMG...Sony should setup promo for the acts from Idol that are promising...Lambert, Cook, and Allen (if Jive can make sure he has the right singles)..Daughtry, Kelly, Carrie have nothing to prove and are successes with longevity
Thats only 7,000 more than Allison Iraheta did and she did it with a fourth place finish, was overshadowed by Kris and Adam, and Kris got all the promotion from the record company. She was ultimatley dropped but this is pretty awsome that lee did bad. Crystal will suffer the same fate as Allison they are/were both with jive which doesn't know what to do with talented people only boy bands and Britney Spears.
Must have a lot to do with economy, I'm sure, people just don't spend these days. Also the season was pretty bad, and with Simon gone people are losing interest. Too bad, because Lee is my all times favorite, the dude is unbelievably talented, I hope he doesn't pay attention at the numbers, his fans will support him forever.
I went to the Idol tour this year and Siobhan, Didi, Aaron, and Katie were all better than Lee and Crystal and all are much more marketable than them.
good lord but the numbers have sucked for Kris and Lee. LOL
Don't think you can blame the economy when you look at sales for Swift and Bieber. Its all image anymore anyway. Lees not good but hes no worse than those two.
The word that comes to mind is "duh." Can't wait for Crystal's album to come out.
I love the way when an artist they like sells horribly they always blame the economy. lol Lee just wasn't that good and is so boring. There are still plenty of artists out there selling up a storm.
Soon...the winners will get a Covergirl contract instead of a record deal.