American Idol’s forgotten winners now – arrest, sex tape and tragic overdose

American Idol has birthed a huge number of stars over the years, from Kelly Clarkson to Adam Lambert.

But though some winners have gone on to do epic things including hosting their own talk shows and landing number one hits across the world, some managed to fly right under the radar.

More still have been hit with controversies over the years, with season 17 winner Laine Hardy arrested for allegedly placing recording devices in an ex’s room and Phillip Phillips involved in a major lawsuit.

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To mark the finale of American Idol 2023, Daily Star is taking a look back to where the forgotten winners are now.

Arrest

In 2022, season 17 winner Laine Hardy was arrested and accused of hiding a listening device in the college dorm room of his ex-girlfriend.

The singer faces a felony charge of interception and disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communication.

He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, with his attorney claiming Hardy “has been and will continue to be completely cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department on this matter.”

According to the arrest warrant, Hardy’s ex found the device under her futon and believed he had placed it there as he appeared to know details of goings-on in her life without being told about them.

Police found evidence of secret recordings made over 10 days, with an affidavit reporting: “The victim advised she immediately confronted him, to which he admitted to her that he left a ‘bug’ in her room but discarded it in his pond.”

Tragic overdose

Season three winner Fantasia Barrino’s life has been hit by numerous controversies over the years, starting with a lawsuit launched by her father in 2006.

Fantasia’s dad sued her for $10million after she wrote several unflattering things about him in her autobiography, including that he asked her for money and prioritised her music career over her education.

Joseph Barrino denied those accusations and went ahead with suing her for libel, which launched Fantasia into a wealth of financial woes.

In 2008, her Glynmoor Lakes property was placed in foreclosure and put up for auction after company Broward Energy Partners paid more than $68,000 of her taxes.

Thankfully her attorneys were able to reach a last-minute deal after Fantasia paid back $10,000, and the auction was cancelled.

But after years of stresses over money, the songstress was hospitalised in 2010 after overdosing on aspirin and sleeping tablets.

Fantasia was found nearly unconscious in her Charlotte mansion, with her manager putting her in a cold shower in an attempt to rouse her.

Thankfully she recovered from the incident, with her manager explaining days later: “She’s doing fine.”

Sex tape

Fantasia’s legal issues didn’t end with money. Around the time of her overdose, she was accused of breaking up a couple’s marriage.

She was accused of carrying out a “covert adulterous affair” with Antwaun Cook and making a sex tape with him which led to the discovery.

Court documents obtained by WCNC claimed the couple “at times recorded their illicit activity”.

Her manager, however, claimed Fantasia was “certain that she is not responsible for the deterioration of the Cooks’ marriage”.

Fantasia has also been linked to various high-profile exes, including NFL player Michael Clayton when he was playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The American Idol star went on to tie the knot with businessman Kendall Taylor, years after giving birth to a son, and the couple went on to welcome a daughter in 2021.

Gender controversy

Despite the sex tape controversy, Fantasia came under fire in 2019 when she aired her conservative views on gender roles in marriage.

Speaking on The Breakfast Club radio show, the star claimed it is not a woman’s place to lead a household, and that the reason for many women being single is that they were attempting to take a man’s place.

Fantasia said: “Most women are trying to be the leader. That’s why you can’t find a man. You can’t be the king in the house. Fall back and be the queen and let your man lead the way.”

The singer added: “You have to find how to submit.

“I feel like it’s a generational […] curse and how society have placed our men and women have to stand up and be the mother and the father.”

Career U-turn

Though Taylor Hicks soared to victory on season five of American Idol, he decided to opt for a very different career after initial success in the music industry.

The star decided to become co-owner of a barbecue restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama, after earning a degree in Restaurant and Hospitality Management.

The star is now a partner in Saw’s Juke Joint in Alabama – along with turning his attention to Hollywood, and starring in the 2021 movie Stars Fell on Alabama.

Huge lawsuit

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Season 11 champion Phillip Phillips became involved in a hard-hitting lawsuit against American Idol producers, claiming they’d “manipulated” him into jobs that would only benefit the company as part of “oppressive” contracts.

Phillip lodged a petition in 2015 against 19 Entertainment, which later filed a $6million lawsuit against the singer for allegedly holding onto some of its money after the company declared bankruptcy.

An “amicable” settlement was eventually worked out, though for three years the star wasn’t able to release any new music.

The star said: “There were not really many good decisions made. There were decisions that were being made that I might not have known about.

“It just really boils down to: I treat people how I want to be treated. I feel like I’m a pretty good person. So, you’ve got to surround yourself with other good people.

“I didn’t know what to do,” he told Yahoo Entertainment.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk