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JIM VERRAROS
After competing in the first season of American Idol, Verraros didn't exactly rush to come out with a new CD — he came out of the closet instead. The only openly gay Idol contestant to date has since appeared in the 2005 indie comedy Eating Out (he's about to start filming the sequel), dabbled in modeling, and released two CDs (the latest, Rollercoaster, hit stores a year ago) with racy tracks that are a far cry from the family-friendly tunes he sang on Idol. ''The fans that I had on the show are also three years older,'' says Verraros, 23. ''So the material is really sexy — but that's what I wanted to do. If people want safe, they can go buy Clay Aiken's album.'' Oh, yes he did! — Tim Stack

JENNIFER HUDSON
A take-no-prisoners belter who wowed audiences in season 3 with powerful versions of ''Circle of Life'' and ''Imagine,'' Hudson was ''trying to stay in the game'' by performing when, last spring, she found herself up for the role of Effie in Dream-Works' version of the 1981 musical Dreamgirls. Hudson, 24, beat out hundreds of girls (including Idol castmate Fantasia), and will star opposite Beyoncé and Jamie Foxx in the Dec. 21 release. ''It's a huge learning experience,'' she says. ''I'm honored to [have] my name said in the same breath as Beyoncé.'' Hudson has also recorded an album, which is scheduled to hit stores just as she's blowing the roof off your local movie theater. — TS

JON PETER LEWIS
''I had some pretty tempting offers,'' says season 3's Lewis (a.k.a. the Pen Salesman) of life post-Idol, adding that ''[labels] wanted to package me like a Jesse McCartney.... I'm 26, but I can pass for 17.'' Not up for singing songs with titles like ''She's Hot'' (''I just couldn't stomach it''), Lewis instead began writing his own tunes and honing his blues-rock sound — a task the show didn't prepare him for. He posted tracks to his website (jplewismusic.com) last year and expects to tour in support of his EP this summer. His main hobby in the meantime? ''Real estate. One of my houses, I bought for 250K, and it [sold for] 425K in one year.'' Clearly, he can hawk more than just a few measly pens. — RF

KIMBERLY LOCKE
Locke was overshadowed by fellow finalists Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, but she's done plenty since season 3. She scored some radio airplay (and a top 10 hit) with her 2004 single ''8th World Wonder'' and flaunted her curves in a Lane Bryant campaign. Recently, she's written material for a new album, Based on a True Story. Locke, 28, says that the key to sustaining a postshow career is to work hard and never hide your Idol roots. ''Like my manager told me, Barry Manilow still has to sing 'Copacabana.' That's what people remember.'' But the most valuable lesson learned? ''When you're on the show, you think, Oh, I'm a celebrity. But there's no quicker way to learn how fickle the public can be.'' — JA

JOHN STEVENS
Despite plenty of disses for his retro crooning, season 3's John Stevens — or, That Grandma-Friendly Kid With the Red Hair — isn't giving up his dreams of becoming a jazz singer. In fact, he's pursuing them: Stevens, 18, is currently a freshman at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, majoring in vocal performance, sharing a dorm room ''not big enough for two people,'' and living music ''24/7.'' In 2005, Stevens released an album of standards called Red, but quickly realized that ''for the style of music I want to do, you really need to know your stuff.'' The one new skill he wants to glean at school? ''I'm definitely hoping to learn how to scat.'' — ME


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