While some of his fellow 'American Idol' alums have struggled to carve out a successful career after the show, 2008 champion David Cook has made it look easy. The Blue Springs, Mo., singer-songwriter saw his debut album for RCA Records sell well over a million copies while garnering rave reviews from the music literati.

In this exclusive, Cook invited Popeater into Emblem Music recording studios in Calabasas, Calif., where he's working on his eagerly anticipated third album.

Departing judge Simon Cowell was supposed to be the center of attention in the 'American Idol' season 9 finale. But ironically, it was the former 'American Idol' winners who stole the show during his special farewell tribute segment, which also featured the return of former judge Paula Abdul.

In a true show-stopping moment, winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen took to the stage to sing 'Together We Are One' by Delta Goodrem, during which they were joined by a revolving door of 'Idol' finalists that included everyone from Kimberly Caldwell to Constantine Maroulis and, yes, Justin Guarini.

Noticeably absent, though, was season 7 winner David Cook -- the only 'Idol' winner who did not take part in the group performance. According to Twitter, Cook was attending a charity event for cancer in Kansas City. An official word from Cook's camp has yet to be released.

Check out the clip after the jump.

Who won 'American Idol' season 9? After 17 weeks of 'Idol' performances, Lee DeWyze captured the 'American Idol' crown in the finale over Crystal Bowersox.

Some fans may be mystified that DeWyze took the crown as the next 'Idol,' especially after his performances Tuesday night, where he often sang out of tune, looked uncomfortable onstage and mustered only a negligible amount of energy. Bowersox, on the other hand, did everything right and sounded terrific. And yet, DeWyze garnered the popular vote and emerged victorious.

Watch the reveal after the jump.

Having waited tables or shoveled cow poo before becoming pop stars, famous people often don't care to rehash history. But when 'American Idol' is the vehicle that launched that superstar career, it's difficult to obscure the past with the sparkle of a Grammy and the gleam of platinum records, especially when the show's audition clips are some of the most fun viral videos out there.

Former 'AI' contestants like chart toppers Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and David Cook and Broadway babes Fantasia Barrino and Taylor Hicks once had to audition, too. Their tryouts are time capsules of raw talent that make you wonder how these artists ever wallowed in the same pool of hopefuls as William Hung, "Bikini Girl" and some of this season's worst auditions. Plus, watching Simon Cowell discredit Jordin Sparks during her audition because of her "weird smile" and "cutesy" delivery -- and knowing that he would eat his words when she won season 6 -- is priceless.

Take a look at the audition videos of all the 'American Idol's and see if you can spot the birth of a winner in each one.

The dark horse surged ahead at the last minute to win it in a photo finish.

With almost 100 million votes tallied, Kris Allen defeated front-runner and judges' favorite Adam Lambert to become the 'American Idol' season 8 winner.

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They came, they sang, they conquered. Take a stroll down memory lane and meet the winners of 'American Idol.'

If you're a Taylor Hicks fan and wanted to learn some interesting pieces of information to share with your friends about him, you've come to the wrong place.

The OC Register recently did a telephone interview with Mr. Soul Patrol and learned he didn't really have all that much to say.

Hicks seemed a little standoffish with his responses and just didn't seem very willing to give anything more than a reserved answer to the interviewer's questions (you can see him give the same treatment to our very own Jay Black here).