“American Idol” alums Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood add credibility to the reality series by making their marks on the Billboard charts.

By Jonathan Zipper

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 12/14/07 – Although he finished in fourth place on the fifth season of “American Idol,” Chris Daughtry crossed the line at No. 1 where it counts most: on the year-end Billboard charts of best sellers.

His band Daughtry moved 3.2 million copies of its self-titled release in 2007, making the debut album the year’s most popular, according to Billboard Magazine. Akon followed close behind, selling 2.7 million copies of “Konvicted.” Fergie’s “The Dutchess” and the “Hannah Montana” soundtrack were next, with fellow “Idol” alum Carrie Underwood’s “Some Hearts” rounding out the top five.

Fergie also found herself on the year’s top singles list, coming in at #4 with “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” Meanwhile, Beyonce and Rihanna battled it out, finishing with “Irreplaceable” and “Umbrella,” respectively in the top two spots. Gwen Stefani’s “The Sweet Escape” placed third, while T-Pain turned up as the only rapper in the top 5 with “Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin’).”

As for 2007’s highest grossing tour? That honor went to The Police, whose reunion brought in upwards of $212 million.