Adam Lambert may have lost out on the "American Idol" crown in 2009, but seven years later, he's found his way to the top.
The 33-year-old singer-songwriter was named the top-earning "American Idol" veteran of 2015, besting title winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson by raking in $10 million last year, Forbes is reporting.
Coming in at second and third place were Underwood and Chris Daughtry, who earned $8 million and $6 million over the course of 2015, respectively.
It's another exciting achievement for Lambert, who released his third solo album, "The Original High," last year. In 2012, he made history as the first openly gay performer to top the Billboard 200 Album chart with his second album, "Trespassing."
The out star's 2015 earnings were heavily boosted by his successful touring stint as the frontman of Queen. Last year, Lambert joined guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, percussionist Rufus Tiger Taylor, bassist Neil Fairclough and keyboardist Spike Edney for a series of arena concerts across Europe, including dates in France, England and Germany.
He's slated to hit the road with the band once again this spring.
The feat also proves that winners of the reality series, which will wrap after its 15th season this year, don't always translate their victories into commercially successful pop careers. Kris Allen, who beat out Lambert as the winner of the eighth season of "Idol" in 2009, parted ways with RCA Records in 2012 after his first two albums failed to have an impact.
Congrats, Adam, and we can't wait to see you on the road!
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