New releases from R. Kelly and “American Idol” finalist Allison Iraheta will not compete with holdovers from Andrea Bocelli and Susan Boyle on next week’s album sales chart, according to one-day figures from Hits Daily Double.
Based on Tuesday’s performance, R. Kelly’s “Untitled” is projected to move about 100,000 copies this week. Iraheta’s “Just Like You” will open considerably lower, likely in the 25-35,000 range.
Iraheta’s lukewarm debut–considerably below the near-200,000 first week figure for fellow finalist Adam Lambert’s “For Your Entertainment–was to be expected. Though Iraheta’s sound, which has been likened to P!nk and Kelly Clarkson, appeared the most commercially-viable of any “Idol” contestant this year, she consistently struggled to build a passionate fanbase. To date, her album also lacks the hit single needed to fuel interest from non-“Idol” diehards.
Bocelli’s “My Christmas” and Boyle’s “I Dreamed a Dream” should both do at least 300,000 this week as they battle for the top spot.
Juvenile’s “Cocky and Confident” will start at around 20-25,000.