Chris Sligh left Idol in 10th place and co-wrote a Rascal Flatts No. 1

Fousheé, Chris Sligh and Morgan Wallen co-wrote chart No. 1s

Fousheé was eliminated in the Battle rounds of The Voice season 15 and co-wrote Steve Lacy’s single "Bad Habit", which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2022. She also co-wrote and was the featured artist on Lacy’s single "Sunshine" from his July 2022 album Gemini Rights.

Chris Sligh was eliminated from American Idol season 6 in 10th place in March 2007. With Clint Lagerberg, he co-wrote "Here Comes Goodbye" for Rascal Flatts, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country chart in April 2009. By July 2026, Sligh had signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Ace High Music.

Morgan Wallen was eliminated in the Playoffs on season 6 of The Voice. He co-wrote Jason Aldean’s single "You Make It Easy", which was released in February 2018 and reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart in May 2018.

• Fousheé: career and music
• Chris Sligh: career and music
• Morgan Wallen: career and music

Jordan Smith and Darius Scott wrote soundtrack and album songs

Jordan Smith won season 9 of The Voice. With Petey Martin and Tedd T, he wrote "Ashes", which Celine Dion recorded for the Deadpool 2 soundtrack. The song was released as a single on May 3, 2018, the day Smith announced that he had written it.

Darius Scott was eliminated in the live playoffs of The Voice season 9. He co-wrote "Be Alive" with Beyoncé for the film King Richard and co-wrote nine songs on Chance the Rapper’s album The Big Day.

• Jordan Smith: career and music
• Darius Scott: career and music

Drew Parker and Noah Thompson co-wrote Luke Combs songs

Drew Parker got no chair turn in the blind auditions of The Voice season 8. In January 2019, he co-wrote "Forever After All" with Luke Combs, and he co-wrote "Homemade" for Jake Owen.

Noah Thompson won season 20 of American Idol in May 2022. He co-wrote "Front Door Famous", the opening song on Luke Combs’s album Fathers & Sons, released in June 2024.

• Drew Parker: career and music
• Noah Thompson: career and music

Tamyra Gray and Ace Young wrote for Fantasia Barrino and Daughtry

Tamyra Gray was eliminated in fourth place on season 1 of American Idol and co-wrote "I Believe", the season 3 coronation single that Fantasia Barrino released and that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Gray also co-wrote "You Thought Wrong" for Kelly Clarkson.

Ace Young was eliminated in seventh place on American Idol season 5. He co-wrote the chorus of Daughtry’s debut single "It’s Not Over" on the band’s 2006 album Daughtry.

• Tamyra Gray: career and music
• Ace Young: career and music

Pennell, Seavey and Krajcik wrote songs for Lovato, Twice and Avicii

Caroline Pennell was eliminated in the Top 8 of The Voice season 5. In 2020 she was a writer of "Past Life", recorded by Trevor Daniel and Selena Gomez, and in 2021 of seven songs on Demi Lovato’s album Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over. She also co-wrote Kesha’s "Red Flag", released in July 2025.

Daniel Seavey was eliminated in ninth place on American Idol season 14. He co-wrote "Who" by Lauv featuring BTS, on the album How I’m Feeling, released in March 2020, and co-wrote Twice’s single "I Got You", released in February 2024.

Josh Krajcik finished as runner-up on the first season of The X Factor. He was one of four writers of "Addicted to You", a song by Avicii on his 2013 album True.

• Caroline Pennell: career and music
• Daniel Seavey: career and music
• Josh Krajcik: career and music