With more than 20 years on air, American Idol is one of the most iconic singing competitions on TV. Many great singers have come out from the show’s ranks, including some awards’ winning artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood or Fantasia Barrino.
While the show’s influence has declined since its first seasons, it is still a great source for showcasing talent. Thanks to the introduction of new rules and twists, many artists still go to the competition with the hopes of earning their big break in the music industry.
Of course, you don’t have to win the American Idol big prize and money to become a superstar, as American Idol’s losers have also gained success. However, if you want to take a trip down memory lane, check out all the show’s winners so far.
Complete list of past American Idol winners
Kelly Clarkson – Season 1
In 2002, a 20-year-old Kelly Clarkson stood before judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson in Dallas, Texas. Auditioning with Etta James’ “At Last” and Madonna’s “Express Yourself,” she captivated America with her powerhouse voice throughout the season. Today, she stands as one of the biggest pop stars of her generation.
Ruben Studdard – Season 2
Ruben Studdard took the title with his winning song, “Flying Without Wings.” The runner-up was Clay Aiken. Since his win, Studdard has released seven studio albums and was nominated for a Grammy. He has also ventured into acting.
Fantasia Barrino – Season 3
Season 3 of the show was filled with talent. Apart from winner Fantasia Barrino, who defeated Diana DeGarmo by a small margin of votes, Jennifer Hudson was also a contestant. Barrino most recently starred in “The Color Purple” (2023).
Carrie Underwood – Season 4
In its fourth season, American Idol crowned Carrie Underwood as the winner. The then-21-year-old songstress went on to become a Grammy-winning country superstar. Bo Bice was the runner-up in the competition.
Taylor Hicks – Season 5
While Taylor Hicks emerged as the winner, the fifth season of American Idol introduced several other stars to the music industry, including Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, and Katharine McPhee, who was the runner-up.
Jordin Sparks – Season 6
Jordin Sparks became the youngest winner of American Idol at age 17. Apart from winning a Grammy and releasing four studio albums, Sparks has also ventured into acting, appearing on Broadway and several minor films.
David Cook – Season 7
David Cook defeated David Archuleta in the epic “David vs. David” Season 7 finale. However, it’s hard to say that there were any losers, as both singers launched successful music careers after that.
Kris Allen – Season 8
In 2009, Kris Allen beat Adam Lambert in the big finale of Season 8 of the show. It was a surprising result, as Lambert was the clear favorite. However, both singers have been successful in their careers.
Lee DeWyze – Season 9
Lee DeWyze won the ninth season of the show, and since then has released five studio albums (he had released two albums prior to Idol). Crystal Bowersox was the runner-up. Other artists from the Season who got record deals were Casey James, Michael Lynche, and Siobhan Magnus.
Scotty McCreery – Season 10
In the finale, Scotty McCreery won the title over Lauren Alaina in a country-themed showdown. McCreery, at 17, became the youngest male winner, the same age as Jordin Sparks when she won.
Phillip Phillips – Season 11
Phillip Phillips emerged as the winner, triumphing over Jessica Sanchez in the finale. His coronation song, “Home,” went on to become the best-selling song in American Idol history. Since then, he has released four studio albums.
Candice Glover – Season 12
Season 12 made history as the first to feature an all-female top five, ultimately resulting in the victory of Candice Glover, the first female winner since season six. This season also saw a shakeup in the judging panel, with Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, and Keith Urban stepping in to replace Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.
Caleb Johnson – Season 13
Caleb Johnson was announced the winner of the season, with Jena Irene as runner-up. In 2015, he launched his own label, Big Johnson Records. Following this, he formed a band called Caleb Johnson & the Ramblin’ Saints. However, his most recent move was joining “Neverland Express” as the lead singer in 2021.
Trent Harmon – Season 15
American Idol: The Farewell Season premiered on Fox on January 6, 2016, marking the final season on the network. Despite reports that the series would be ending, ABC announced that it would revive the show. Trent Harmon won, with La’Porsha Renae as the runner-up.
Maddie Poppe – Season 16
The American Idol reboot premiered on ABC in 2018. Ryan Seacrest continued his role as the show’s host, with a new group of judges including Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. Maddie Poppe won the season, with her boyfriend Caleb Lee Hutchinson as the runner-up.
Laine Hardy – Season 17
Laine Hardy won the season with Alejandro Aranda as the runner-up. The 18-year-old Louisiana native didn’t originally plan on auditioning, but was convinced by the judges when he accompanied a friend to the audition.
Just Sam – Season 18
Season 18 was temporarily shut after the Top 21 were revealed, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread. The show resumed production in late April, with Seacrest, the judges, and contestants filming their parts virtually, from home. Just Sam was crowned as the winner, with Arthur Gunn finishing as the runner-up.
Chayce Beckham – Season 19
As the pandemic continued, American Idol season 19 blended virtual auditions with socially distanced in-person performances following COVID-19 safety protocols. Chayce Beckham won the season, while Willie Spence was the runner-up and Grace Kinstler finished in third place.
Noah Thompson – Season 20
The 20-year-old Kentucky construction worker won America’s heart for season 20, beating out runner-up HunterGirl and third-place competitor Leah Marlene. He didn’t intend to audition, but his friend signed him up to go to the show.
Iam Tongi – Season 21
Season 21 wrapped up with three incredibly talented contestants – Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, and Colin Stough – competing for the win. In the end, it was Hawaiian native Tongi who moved audiences with his emotional story and heartfelt vocals, and he took home the trophy.