With the new season of "American Idol" set to begin in January, the odds for the finalists look tougher than they ever have before, reported MTV.com.

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Many of those who make it to the 12th- through third-place end up releasing records despite not coming out on top. But, MTV reported, only one of these albums has gone gold: second-season country singer Josh Gracin, who sold 646,500 copies of his album.

Other "Idol" contestants who have released albums include Kimberly Locke (209,000 copies) and William Hung (194,000).

"American Idol" champion singers like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have sold 4,811,000 albums and 2,184,000 albums, respectively.

With these numbers, MTV reports, making it into the top 12 of "American Idol" isn't enough. With today's fickle pop culture appetite, a contestant needs to hope to be in the top two.

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