American Idol stands as one of the most iconic reality singing competitions globally, renowned not only for its entertainment value but also for its unmatched ability to cultivate stars. And you don’t even have to win the show to do so, as American Idol famously has several successful losers.
However, there are great singers that come out of the show and there are stars. For example, Kelly Clarkson has not only built a great career in music, as she is now a producer and host of her own talk show. Same goes for Carrie Underwood, who is also one of the most respected voices in country music.
But what has happened to other great contestants who captivated the audience while on the show? Life after Idol can be different for everyone, whether you win the American Idol prize and contracts, or not. Here are some iconic contestants and where they are now.
Where are they now: American Idol stars
Colin Stough – Season 21
Colina Stough finished in third place on Season 21 of American Idol, which was won by Iam Tongi. The country-rock singer has been taking advantage of the fame that came with the competition, and he has already released his first EP, titled “Promiseland” and he is going on tour.
Fantasia Barrino – Season 3
Fantasia Barrino, often simply known as Fantasia, rose to prominence as the winner of the third season of American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, Fantasia embarked on a successful music career, releasing several acclaimed albums and earning numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. After appearing in Broadway, she is now venturing into her acting career in film, being the star of “The Color Purple” (2023).
Megan Danielle – Season 21
Danielle was the runner-up from Season 21 of the show. The 21-year-old singer is making Christian music, and she has been releasing singles, such as “Dream Girl.” She also toured alongside Maddie Poppe.
Jessica Sanchez – Season 11
Sanchez was the runner-up of the eleventh season of the show. The 28-year-old, who is of Filipino descent, released an album (“Me, You and The Music”) in 2013, and her most recent single is “Baddie,” which she released in 2022. However, per her Instagram account, she is working on new music for 2024.
Caleb Johnson – Season 13
After winning American Idol in 2014, he released his first solo album with Interscope Records titled “Testify,” which peaked at no. 24 on the Billboard 200. However, in 2015, he left the record label to create his own label, Big Johnson Records. He then formed a band called Caleb Johnson & the Ramblin’ Saints, but most recently he joined “Neverland Express” as lead single in 2021.
Adam Lambert – Season 8
Lambert was the runner-up of Season 8 of the show, and he has become one of the most successful alums. He has released five studio albums as a solo artist. His most recent was “High Drama,” which came out in 2023. Since 2011, he has also collaborated with Queen as lead singer and has toured with them several times.
David Cook – Season 7
Cook won Season 7 and since then he has been writing music. He has released five studio albums, and most recently released his single “TABOS (This’ll All Be Over Soon)” in 2023. That year, he also appeared in the special 20th-anniversary reunion show.
Kenedi Anderson – Season 20
Kenedi Anderson auditioned for Season 20 with a great rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Applause,” which earned her the praise of the judges. However, after performing in the Top 24, she withdrew from the show for “personal reasons.” While she never clarified what happened, she is now ready to launch new music and has been promoting her upcoming single “Nice Girl” on her social media platforms.
Scotty McCreery – Season 10
The country music singer who gained fame as the winner of the tenth season of American Idol in 2011. He has released five studio albums. His most recent single is “Love Like This,” which was released in February of 2024. It is dedicated to his son, Avery, and wife, Gabi.
Candice Glover – Season 12
The talented singer impressed judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey during the twelfth season of Idol, eventually winning the competition in 2013. She released her first album, “Music Speaks,” the following year and has been sharing her music on SoundCloud ever since. According to Glover’s Instagram page, she’s still performing and has a bachelor’s degree in film and television.
Phillip Phillips – Season 11
Phillips was crowned the winner of season 11 and was known for his song “Home,” which is one of the most-successful singles to come out of the show. However, his win came with a prize as he filed a lawsuit against Idol’s production company 19 Entertainment over “oppressive” terms in his contract. After a legal battle, they reached an agreement. He has released four studio albums, including his most recent effort “Drift Back” (2023).
Trenyce – Season 2
She was a finalist of the second season of American Idol. However, she is also known for her work in musical theater, such as portraying Diana Ross in “Motown: The Musical” in 2017 and 2018. She recently starred in the Christmas film, “The Christmas Singer.”
