American Idol has aired 23 seasons, declaring 23 winners, a few of whom have bagged Grammys, whereas others couldn’t make it massive within the music trade. Here’s a listing of all of the winners of American Idol to date and their present whereabouts.
Season 1: Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson made historical past in 2002 by changing into the first-ever winner of American Idol. She can also be thought-about amongst the preferred winners of the present. After the truth collection, the singer had a profitable music profession, releasing her debut album, Grateful, in 2003. Ever since, she has dropped 10 extra albums, successful 3 Grammys. The 42-year-old additionally appeared as a decide on The Voice and now has her discuss present, The Kelly Clarkson Present.
Season 2: Ruben Studdard
Alabama native Ruben Studdard bagged the American Idol trophy in 2003, narrowly defeating Clay Aiken. Six months after the present, he launched his debut album, Soulful, which topped the Billboard 200 chart. His single Celebrity from the album earned him a Grammy nomination. Ruben has launched eight studio albums to date. In 2023, he reunited with Clay for Twenty The Tour, marking 20 years since their look on the present. He additionally appeared in The Masked Singer season 11 final 12 months.
Season 3: Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Barrino received the title in 2004 and has since launched seven studio albums, together with her Platinum-certified debut, Free Your self, which earned her three Grammy nominations. She finally received a Grammy for Finest Feminine R&B Vocal Efficiency 2011 for her single Bittersweet from the album Again to Me. In 2023, Fantasia debuted with The Coloration Purple and acquired a Golden Globe nomination. The singer-actress was named in Time journal’s listing of 100 most influential individuals in 2024.
Season 4: Carrie Underwood
One of the vital well-known American Idol winners, Carrie Underwood, received eight Grammy Awards after her stint on the present. The nation celebrity debuted in 2005 along with her album Some Hearts, which grew to become the best-selling solo feminine debut album ever in nation music. The album received her three Grammys and paved the best way for eight extra profitable albums. Underwood acquired a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame in 2018. She launched her ninth studio album Denim & Rhinestones in 2022 and delux re-issue of the identical in 2023. She additionally joined the judges panel within the 2025 version of American Idol.
Season 5: Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks received the fifth season of the competitors in 2006 and shortly dropped his first self-titled album, which reached quantity two on the Billboard 200 charts. Since then, he has solely launched and launched one further album and two singles. Hicks made his stage appearing debut with Serenbe Playhouse’s Shenandoah in 2019. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 2023.
Season 6: Jordin Sparks
After changing into the youngest American Idol winner in 2007, Jordin Sparks launched a self-titled album that reached quantity 10 on the Billboard 200 and acquired the platinum certificates. The singer launched three extra albums through the years, receiving two Grammy nominations. Sparks additionally stepped into appearing and dancing by showing within the 2012 movie Sparkle and taking part in Dancing with the Stars in 2022. Her fifth studio album, No Restrictions, was launched in September 2024.
Season 7: David Cook dinner
David Cook dinner is a Texas native who launched three albums following his win, beginning with a self-titled album in 2006. The lead single from the album, Mild On, peaked on the third spot on the Billboard 200. In 2018, Cook dinner entered the Broadway scene with Kinky Boots. The singer additionally has three EPs: This Quiet Night time, Chromance, and The Trying Glass. Earlier this 12 months, Cook dinner introduced that he would launch a number of EPs all through 2025. The primary EP, The Hero, was launched on June 20, 2025, and included the only Useless Weight, in addition to two new songs, Rendezvous and Disappear.
Season 8: Kris Allen
In 2009, Kris Allen received American Idol season 8, surprisingly beating the front-runner Adam Lambert. He launched 5 albums, starting with a self-titled in 2009 that debuted at quantity 11 on the US Billboard 200. In 2021, Allen partnered with Cook dinner for a Europe tour. His most up-to-date single Its You I Like was launched in 2022.
Season 9: Lee DeWyze
After successful the competitors in 2010, Lee DeWyze bagged the Teen Alternative Award for Male Actuality/Selection Star the identical 12 months. The singer has launched 9 albums to date, with the most recent one, Gone for Days, launched in 2024. His tracks have been utilized in TV reveals like The Strolling Useless and Fits.
Season 10: Scotty McCreery
Following his win in 2011, Scotty McCreery earned a platinum certificates for his debut album, Clear as Day. Nonetheless, the singer confronted a setback in 2016 when he was dropped from his label. He bounced again in 2018 with the number-one hit, 5 Extra Minutes. In 2024, his single, Cab in a Solo, topped the charts forward of the discharge of his sixth album, Rise & Fall.
Season 11: Phillip Phillips
Phillip Phillips’ single, Dwelling, which he debuted on the season 11 finale, grew to become the best-selling music in American Idol historical past. The only was adopted by his debut album, The World from the Aspect of the Moon, which stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for 61 weeks. Phillips launched three extra albums through the years, together with Drift Again in 2023.
Season 12: Candice Glover
Hailing from South Carolina, season 12 winner Candice Glover launched her solely album, Music Speaks, in 2014. She then launched a number of singles and ventured into appearing, showing in reveals like Northpole and Underground.
Season 13: Caleb Johnson
Earlier than successful American Idol, Caleb Johnson was the frontman for the band Elijah Hooker. Two months after his victory, he dropped his debut album, Testify. He then fashioned Caleb Johnson and the Ramblin’ Saints group and launched the album Born from Southern Floor in 2019. He additionally joined the Neverland Specific band of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman in 2021 and the group launched Paradise Discovered: Bat Out Of Hell Reignited in 2023.
Season 14: Nick Fradiani
Season 14 winner Nick Fradiani has launched two studio albums, Hurricane in 2016 and Previous My Previous in 2022, together with an EP in 2017. In 2022, the singer debuted Broadway with A Stunning Noise, enjoying Neil Diamond. His studio album Previous My Previous was additionally launched that very same 12 months.
Season 15: Trent Harmon
Trent Harmon received the fifteenth season of the present in April 2016 and launched an EP eight months later. He then launched his sole studio album, You Bought ‘Em All, in 2018. His Christian music EP, Scars & Sins, was launched in Could 2025.
Season 16: Maddie Poppe
American Idol returned with its season 16 after a two-year hiatus in 2018 and declared Maddie Poppe the winner. The next 12 months, Poppe debuted along with her studio album, Whirlwind, adopted by the EP Christmas from Dwelling in 2020. In 2023, she headed on The Fall Tour together with Joshua Radin. Her music Screw You a Little Bit was additionally launched that very same 12 months.
Season 17: Laine Hardy
Laine Hardy launched into a 13-date tour throughout the US after successful the present in 2019. He dropped his studio album, Right here’s to Anybody, two years later. The singer made information in 2022 when he was arrested for allegedly planting a recording machine in a girl’s dormitory, who claimed to be his ex-girlfriend.
Season 18: Simply Sam
Samantha Diaz, aka Simply Sam, received American Idol season 18 in a distant finale amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The singer, who goes by they/them pronouns, launched a number of singles however obtained little success and began busking at subway stations in 2023.
Season 19: Chayce Beckham
Chayce Beckham launched his EP Doin’ It Proper in 2022, a 12 months after being topped the winner of American Idol. He partnered with Luke Bryan on his annual Farm Tour in 2023 earlier than launching his debut studio album, Dangerous for Me, in April 2024.
Season 20: Noah Thompson
Noah Thompson labored as a development employee earlier than his life circled with American Idol as he grew to become the winner of season 20 in 2022. The singer launched his debut EP, Center of God Is aware of The place, in June 2023.
Season 21: Iam Tongi
Iam Tongi grew to become the primary Hawaiian singer to win American Idol in Could 2023. Shortly after the present, he stepped out for a live performance tour within the US and New Zealand. The singer has launched 4 singles as of now: I’ll Be Seeing You, The Winner Takes It All, Why Kiki? and a brand new model of Hawaiian Curler Coaster Experience for Lilo & Sew live-action movie. He even returned to American Idol Season 23 to carry out the music.
Season 22: Abi Carter
California native Abi Carter is the most recent singer to win the coveted title. The 21-year-old was introduced because the winner of American Idol season 22 on Could 19, 2024, defeating Will Moseley. Carter grew to become a fan-favorite since she carried out Billie Eilish’s What Was I Made For in her audition. Her debut album, Ghosts Within the Yard, was launched in November 2024.
Season 23: Jamal Roberts
Jamal Roberts was topped the winner of the twenty third season of American Idol. A 27-year-old dad from Mississippi, Jamal grew to become the primary male winner of African-American descent on the present since Ruben Studdard. Following his victory, the singer launched his first single Heal and continues to work on his music endeavors.
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