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“American Idol” was and is a pretty big deal.
Honestly, it makes sense.
Because isn’t seeing real people transform into celebrities the main reason behind the show’s success?
And transform many of them did!
In other words, they’re unrecognizable.
So, here are the “American Idol” contestants who are unrecognizable now.
He also made the switch from pop star to Broadway star.
While he may no longer be recognizable like he once was, Guarini is still a star.
But the star’s appearance is not quite as recognizable.
These days, however,she’s all about bright blonde locksand showing off her beautiful curves.
Aiken was well-known for his very full, very blond, and very spiky hair and bright green eyes.
These days, however, he’s not as recognizable since he’s dropped that signature look.
As of this writing, Aiken is rocking a slicked-back hairstyle in a more muted blond shade.
He’s also covered up his eyes with glasses and just looks as if he’s matured a lot.
Studdard appeared on the weight loss reality show in 2014 and, according toToday,shed 119 pounds.
“I [did] this for me; this was for my life,” he told Today.
“I’m so excited I got to take the time and do this.
It was something I could do for me, and nobody else.
This show has given me a second chance to live the best life I can live.
I am going to be the healthiest Ruben Studdard I can be.”
According toOprah, Hudson lost 80 pounds and dropped from a size 16 down to a size 6.
“It’s like a brand new me,” she told the publication.
“Sometimes I don’t even recognize myself.”
How did she achieve this amazingtransformation?
A lot of hard work.
“It’s all about self-motivation,” she explained.
These days, however, Underwood is taking the world by storm.
Oh, and she looksfabulous.Underwood has had probably the most glamorous glow-up of all time.
4 on the charts, as perCross Rhythms.
Back then, the singer had trouble with his sound fitting into a specific genre.
These days, Bice is unrecognizable in both his career and his appearance.
The road became less of a priority."
And his famous hair?
It’s cropped to well above his shoulders now to match his very distinguished salt-and-pepper beard.
Perhaps his rocker sound and edgy look was too much for the general American public.
Back then, the singer had a shaved head and close-cropped facial hair.
What’s he been up to since going full mountain man?
And he’s still rocking hard with that same band.
Daughtry feels he owes his career to “American Idol.”
“Otherwise, people wouldn’t have a clue who I was.”
Back then, the smiley singer was known for his long curly hair and roguish stubble.
His hair isn’t the only reason he’s unrecognizable.
He’s also pivoted careers, going from singing pop to starring in Broadway shows.
And he wasn’t the only “American Idol” alum in the cast.
Hicks also brought his success into a different part of the entertainment world: food and travel TV.
Oh, and he embraced his graying hair.
Hicks is now sporting incredibly distinguished white hair and oh-so-dapper stubble, making him unrecognizable.
He looks better than ever!
These days, Malakar is completely unrecognizable, as he’s traded his long hair for a long beard.
“So I am.
No over embellishment or exaggeration.”
Though he came in second place in Season 8, the singer wasn’t worried.
And he was right.
Lambert also took his successes as opportunities to give back.
Though his voice is still undeniably recognizable, his appearance is less so.
But since coming in fourth place in Season 7 of the competition show, Castro has become completely unrecognizable.
He also married his college sweetheart, Mandy, and had four children together.
“My wife and I were both ready for a change.
It was a very difficult change because my identity was wrapped up in music.
It was all I had ever done.”
However, as perBillboard, Bowersox ended up taking second place.
Sadly, her troubles didn’t end with that loss.
According toAll Music, the single mom released three albums that only generated decent reviews.
Then she announced she was getting divorced from her husband (viaPeople).
Bowersox took this hardship in stride, transforming her life and her appearance to be almost completely unrecognizable.
And it really shouldn’t be" (viaThe Boot).
Bowersox transformed her look as well: She traded her dreads in favor of a medium-length haircut.
We love it, though we think she looks fab either way.
