Kelly Clarkson, ‘Stronger’ Is Best-Selling Single By ‘Idol’ Alum

Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have both had dream-worthy careers since becoming "American Idol" winners in 2002 and 2005, respectively. But while they both have sold out arenas and enjoyed chart-topping hits, there's one area in which it seems Kelly is the 'stronger' champion of the two. According to the latest sales figures from Nielsen SoundScan, Kelly's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" has surpassed Carrie's "Before He Cheats" to become the best-selling "Idol" single of all time.

While Kelly's single has bested Carrie's by selling a mere 1,000 units more, Carrie certainly isn't facing a career setback. She still holds the title of most successful "American Idol" contestant of all time -- a record she took from Kelly last year, thanks in part to her multi-platinum-selling album, Play On in 2009. The blond beauty's continued dominion over other contestants on the hit TV talent competition fulfills a prophecy former judge Simon Cowell stated after one of Carrie's performances on the show -- that she would sell more albums than any other "Idol" contestant.

"I was very flattered and very happy," the "Good Girl" singer recalls of her reaction to that prediction (quote via the Hollywood Reporter). "But then I thought, 'What are the other contestants going to think? They're going to hate me.' And it could have worked against me if people didn't like Simon and were rooting for someone else."

Turns out, both songstresses are doing exceedingly well in their respective careers. Carrie's Blown Away album debuted at No. 1 on the charts, where it stayed for five weeks -- and is so far the second-best-selling country album of 2012. Kelly, meanwhile, has sold in excess of 11 million albums, and recently had a Top 30 hit with the country version of her single, "Mr. Know It All."

Both singer-songwriters are hitting the road over the next few months. See Kelly's schedule here, and click here to see a list of Carrie's upcoming shows.