They say that "almost" only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades.

And also, apparently, in American Idol. You don't have to be an A.I. winner to hit it big these days. Just ask Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson or American Music Award winner Chris Daughtry. Both are finding fame despite not having reached the pinnacle of FOX's hit reality show.

So, as I wait for the next season of Idol, that got me wondering what last year's Idol-ites are up to. (Okay, actually my editor at Film.com asked me to find out.)

Here's a quick look:

If you are a fan at all, you probably know that Season Six winner Jordin Sparks has a new album in stores. Some are calling it "family friendly," while others are painting it as less than inspired. Nobody's calling bad, though. How could they? Jordin was great and deserved to win. I think if you accidentally drove over her foot, her scream would sound better than most Idol contestants.

Runner-up Blake Lewis has a new album out too, although the reviews have not been so glowing. By some accounts, his CD "Audio Day Dream" is just shy of an audio nightmare. I guess beat boxing doesn't translate to CD as well as Blake might have hoped.

So what about the rest of the almost best?

LaKisha Jones -- The girl that Simon Cowell thought should have won instead of Jordin? LaKisha is hitting it big, but not with an album. Instead, she'll be on Broadway starting in January in the hit musical The Color Purple. LaKisha follows in the footsteps of former Idol-ite Fantasia.

Melinda Doolittle -- Last season's other big voice. She's just signed up to go on a Christmas tour with Christian music star Michael W. Smith.

Chris Richardson -- Blake Lewis' BFF last season. As promised, these two have stayed in touch, and Chris actually co-wrote a track on Blake's new album. Chris is also friends with former Idol contestant Elliot Yamin, who "can't wait" to see what kind of music Chris comes up with. Well, frankly, I can.

Phil Stacey -- A huge fan favorite of Season Six, Phil is currently working on his debut album. After a 55-city tour with all the other Idol contestants, the Navy vet and Florida native has taken his wife and two kids to Nashville where he has signed a deal with the same record label that represents Rascal Flatts. Good luck Phil!

Stephanie Edwards -- The Savannah, Georgia native may not have any albums on the way, but she's a star in her home city. Steph performed at the official Savannah Christmas tree lighting ceremony last weekend.

Chris Sligh -- Who? Oh yeah, the fat guy with the funny hair. He recently performed on the premiere episode of the Gospel Music Channel's new show, The Kitchen Sink.

Gina Glocksen, Haley Scarnato, and Brandon Rogers -- All are MIA. If you have seen any of them or know the whereabouts of these former Idol contestants, please alert me right away.

And finally... Sanjaya Malakar -- By far the Idol contestant who will be better remembered than anyone else, even more than the winners. Sanjaya recently performed in Seattle at a local theater production of Black Nativity. Now, he's moving to L.A. and hunkering down to produce an album. The 18-year-old says he might also be interested in modeling. Is acting next? Look out Hollywood! Sanjaya might just take the town by storm.

Ethan Morris: "Not always right, but never in doubt." Go ahead and write me.

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