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'Idol' Champs vs. Runners-Up: Who's the Bigger Winner?

As season 11 of American Idol kicks off, see which previous winners have been eclipsed by those who came in second (11 Photos)

Ali Gray on Jan 14, 2010 at 6:00AM

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'Idol' Champs vs. Runners-Up: Who's the Bigger Winner?

Kevin Winter/ Getty

Season 1: Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini

Winner: Kelly Clarkson
Arguably the most successful Idol contestant to date, Clarkson was the first Idol to win a Grammy (she actually won two, both in 2006), and the native Texan's five albums have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.

Runner-Up: Justin Guarini
After his self-titled first album tanked, selling less than 150,000 copies, Guarini was dropped from his record label. He's now remembered mostly for his curly hair and smoldering eyes (hopefully, he and his costar won't be remembered for their 2003 film flop From Justin to Kelly).

Will the real season 1 Idol please stand up?
Without question, Clarkson deserves her crown.