Winning American Idol is no guarantee that you'll actually keep a major label deal.

Just prior to Christmas, rumors began circulating that season 2's champion Ruben Studdard, who released three albums for J Records since 2003 (the latest, 2006's The Return, to modest sales), had been dropped.

Now, reports are circulating season 5 winner Taylor Hicks has also lost his J Records deal.

"Taylor is going to record his next album on his own," said a label rep. "He is no longer on the J Records roster."

What will this mean for the next American Idol winner? Is the show no longer a guarantee star maker?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.