Season 24 of American Idol is over, but the careers of the contestants are just beginning. It’s been proven in the past that you don’t have to win the show to have a successful career (just ask Jennifer Hudson), and several of this year’s Top 20 artists are already building on the momentum of Idol with new song releases.
After the finale, the Top 3 (Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, and Keyla Richardson) dropped streamable versions of the songs they performed in the finale. While Jordan and Keyla sang covers during the May 11 episode, winner Hannah sang her fan-favorite original “String Cheese,” as well as a brand new one called “Married Into This Town.”
Other Top 20 contestants who put out original music around the time of the finale were Lucas Leon (“The Crazy Kind“), Jake Thistle (“Hiding in the Vacancy“), Genevieve Heyward (“Don’t Mind If I Do“), Kutter Bradley (“Fake a Smile“), and Julián Kalel (“Heartstrings“). These five artists were sent home in earlier Live Shows, but wasted no time getting some new music going.
There will likely be much more to come from these singers, as well as the other artists who made the Top 20. Hannah and Jordan both recently told TV Insider that they are planning on working on new music this summer.
Meanwhile, Hannah also has a ton of tour dates coming up, beginning with her Grand Ole Opry debut on June 2. After that, she’ll be on the road all summer and most of fall, with the “String Cheese” tour not wrapping up until November.
Which of the American Idol Season 24 finalists has your favorite new original song? Cast your vote in the poll below, and make sure to head to the comments section to let us know more. Plus, which other contestants from this season are you looking forward to hearing new music from?
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