by Lyndsey Parker, Reality Rocks

The average American has a better chance of being struck by lightning than making it onto “American Idol.” This is a statistical fact. No wonder the few, the proud, who have appeared on the show share such a special bond–even if they competed on different seasons (or even competed against each other!). So when The Hollywood Reporter’s Shirley Halperin organized an “Idol Allstars” photo shoot in Los Angeles this month for the magazine’s big “Idol” finale issue, it was a total lovefest, a giant family reunion.

Thirty former Idols (29 runners-up, plus Season 8 winner Kris Allen), ranging from Season 1′s Kristin Holt Adams to this season’s Casey Abrams and Pia Toscano, gathered to take a “Class of 2002-2011″ photo, and here’s the magic that ensued:

The idea behind this historical shoot was that even if most of these contestants didn’t make it all the way on “Idol,” they’ve since used the show as a springboard for their showbiz careers. (For instance: Season 9′s Luke Edgemon, who participated in the shoot, didn’t even get past Hollywood Week, but he’s now on “Glee.”) Even champion Kris has extended his career beyond “Idol,” writing the new single for “Glee” star Matthew Morrison. So basically, everyone came to this class reunion with something to brag about.

Photo by Joe Pugliese

The Stars:

Didi Benami, Casey Carlson, Jackie Tohn, David Archuleta, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Pia Toscano, Blake Lewis, Kimberly Caldwell, Diana Degarmo, David Hernandez, Mikalah Gordon, Todrick Hall, Syesha Mercado, Debra Byrd, Lakisha Jones, Elliot Yamin, Tim Urban, Matthew Rogers, Michael Johns, Kimberley Locke, Becky O’Donohue, Antonella Barba, Jared Cotter, Vonzell Solomon, Luke Edgemon, Anthony Fedorov, and Kristin Holt Adams

Interviews:

It would be awesome if these “Idol” reunions happened every year…but we have a feeling an event like this was a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing.

via Lyndsey Parker, Yahoo! Reality Rocks .

Read: American Idol Finalists: “Where are they now?”

Photos by @JackieTohn, re-published with permission. Very special thanks!!

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