American Idol Winners Where Are They Now? Complete List of Winners
by Ushapriyanga
Updated May 22, 2023
American Idol
American Idol is an immensely popular American singing competition TV series that was created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It originally aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to April 7, 2016, spanning 15 seasons. After a two-year hiatus, the show was revived and began airing on ABC on March 11, 2018.
The series was introduced as an addition to the Idols format, which was based on the British television show Pop Idol. It quickly became one of the most successful shows in American television history. American Idol revolves around discovering recording stars from unsigned singing talents, with the winner being determined by American viewers through phone, internet, and SMS text voting.
Over the course of its first twenty-one seasons, the winners chosen by viewers included Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, Phillip Phillips, Candice Glover, Caleb Johnson, Nick Fradiani, Trent Harmon, Maddie Poppe, Laine Hardy, Just Sam, Chayce Beckham, Noah Thompson, and Iam Tongi.
American Idol Winners Where are They Now?
Season
Winners
1
Kelly Clarkson
2
Ruben Studdard
3
Fantasia Barrino
4
Carrie Underwood
5
Taylor Hicks
6
Jordin Sparks
7
David Cook
8
Kris Allen
9
Lee DeWyze
10
Scotty McCreery
11
Phillip Phillips
12
Candice Glover
13
Caleb Johnson
14
Nick Fradiani
15
Trent Harmon
16
Maddie Poppe
17
Laine Hardy
18
Just Sam
19
Chayce Beckham
20
Noah Thompson
American Idol Winners Now
The winners of American Idol are given below. Scroll down to know what are the winners doing now.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson is the original American Idol. She won the first season of the show in 2002 and has gone on to have a successful career in music. She has released eight studio albums, all of which have been certified platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA. She has also won three Grammy Awards. In addition to her music career, Clarkson has also appeared in several films and television shows, including "The Voice" and "The X Factor." She is currently married and has two children.
Ruben Studdard
Ruben Studdard was the runner-up on the first season of American Idol, but he went on to win the second season in 2003. He has released six studio albums, all of which have been certified gold or platinum by the RIAA. He has also won a Grammy Award. In addition to his music career, Studdard has also appeared in several films and television shows, including "The Biggest Loser" and "Dancing with the Stars." He is currently married and has one child.
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Barrino was the winner of the third season of American Idol in 2004. She has released five studio albums, all of which have been certified gold or platinum by the RIAA. She has also won a Grammy Award. In addition to her music career, Barrino has also appeared in several films and television shows, including "The Color Purple" and "Glee." She is currently married and has two children.
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood is the winner of the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. She has released seven studio albums, all of which have been certified platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA. She has also won seven Grammy Awards. In addition to her music career, Underwood has also appeared in several films and television shows, including "The Sound of Music Live!" and "The X Factor." She is currently married and has two sons.
Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks is the winner of the fifth season of American Idol in 2006. He has released three studio albums, all of which have been certified gold or platinum by the RIAA. He has also won a Grammy Award. In addition to his music career, Hicks has also appeared in several films and television shows, including "Dancing with the Stars" and "Nashville." He is currently married and has one child.
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks is the winner of the sixth season of American Idol in 2007. She has released four studio albums, all of which have been certified gold or platinum by the RIAA. She has also won a Grammy Award. In addition to her music career, Sparks has also appeared in several films and television shows, including "Sparks" and "The Voice." She is currently married and has one child.
David Cook
David Cook is the winner of the seventh season of American Idol in 2008. He has released four studio albums, all of which have been certified gold or platinum by the RIAA. He has also won a Grammy Award. In addition to his music career, Cook has also appeared in several films and television shows, including "Kinky Boots" and "The Voice." He is currently married and has one child.
Kris Allen
Kris Allen is the winner of the eighth season of American Idol in 2009. He has released four studio albums, all of which have been certified gold or platinum by the RIAA. He has also won a Grammy Award. In addition to his music career, Allen has also appeared in several films and television shows, including "The Voice" and "Nashville." He is currently married and has one child.
Lee DeWyze
Lee DeWyze is the winner of the ninth season of American Idol in 2010. He has released two studio albums, both of which have been certified gold or platinum by the RIAA. He has also won a Grammy Award. In addition to his music career, DeWyze has also appeared in several films and television shows, including "The Voice" and "Nashville." He is currently married and has one child.
Heading: Scotty McCreery (Season 10) Paragraph: Scotty McCreery emerged as the winner of American Idol's 10th season on May 25, 2011. At the age of 17, this country crooner from North Carolina triumphed over Lauren Alaina in the season finale. McCreery's journey on the show surpassed that of notable performers like Pia Toscano, Haley Reinhart, and Casey Abrams.
For his final performance, he showcased "I Love You This Big" and later released it as his debut single. Following his win, McCreery released his first studio album titled Clear as Day, which quickly went platinum and claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 in October 2011.
The album featured his debut single, as well as the sophomore release "The Trouble With Girls." Over the years, McCreery went on to release additional albums, including a holiday album, See You Tonight in 2013, and published his first book titled Go Big or Go Home. In 2016, he underwent a management change and continued to release two more albums, Seasons Change in 2018, and Same Truck in 2021.
Phillip Phillips
Phillip Phillips emerged victorious in American Idol's 11th season on May 23, 2012, defeating Jessica Sanchez in a closely contested finale. Phillips first auditioned for the show in Savannah, Ga., and successfully navigated the competition without ever landing in the bottom three. His debut single "Home" captivated the audience during the season finale and achieved multiplatinum status.
The success of "Home" laid the foundation for his debut studio album, The World From the Side of the Moon, which was released in November 2012. The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and featured the popular track "Gone, Gone, Gone." Phillips continued his musical journey with the release of two subsequent albums, Behind the Light in 2014 and Collateral in 2018.
In addition to his music career, Phillips married Hannah Blackwell in 2015 and had their first child, Patch, in 2019. He also made appearances in shows like Hawaii Five-0. Phillips returned to American Idol in 2022 for the show's season finale and 20th anniversary, where he performed his single "Love Like That."
Candice Glover
Candice Glover claimed the title of the 12th winner of American Idol on May 16, 2013. This South Carolina singer had previously auditioned for the show twice before finally making it onto the stage in Charlotte, N.C. She emerged victorious in the season finale, triumphing over Kree Harrison with her powerful performance of the track "I Am Beautiful." "I Am Beautiful" served as Glover's debut promotional single.
In February 2014, she released her debut studio album, Music Speaks, almost a year after her American Idol win. The album peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 and included the follow-up single "Cried." While Glover hinted at new music in 2015, she has yet to make an official announcement. Currently, she continues to perform, frequently participating in private events and exploring acting opportunities on stage.
Caleb Johnson
Caleb Johnson secured the title of American Idol in the show's 13th season on May 21, 2014. Hailing from North Carolina, Johnson emerged victorious by defeating Jena Irene in the highly anticipated finale. He mesmerized the audience with his rendition of "As Long as You Love Me," which became his debut single.
Nick Fradiani
Nick Fradiani emerged as the victor of American Idol's 14th season on May 13, 2015, triumphing over Clark Beckham in the finale. His winning performance showcased the single "Beautiful Life," which became his inaugural release after his Idol journey.
"Beautiful Life" made its mark on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 93 and providing a glimpse of what was to come from Fradiani's first post-Idol album. Prior to his solo career, Fradiani had been part of the band Beach Avenue. He subsequently launched his debut solo album, "Hurricane," in 2016, followed by the release of his EP "Where We Left Off" in 2017.
In 2019 to 2020, Fradiani embarked on a national tour of A Bronx Tale, playing the role of Lorenzo. Additionally, he released his second studio album, "Past My Past," in 2022 and made his Broadway debut in the same year as the alternate for the role of Neil Diamond in A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical.
Trent Harmon
Trent Harmon's journey to victory on American Idol's "Farewell Season" was a testament to perseverance. Despite being rejected by all four judges during his unaired audition for The Voice, Harmon continued undeterred and went on to claim the title of the 15th season's winner. In the finale, he outshone La'Porsha Renae, captivating viewers with his country-soul voice and his rendition of "Falling" by AI judge Keith Urban.
As the winner, he earned a 2017 Ford Fusion and a record deal with Big Machine Records. A year after his triumph, Harmon released his self-titled EP, showcasing his versatility as a country-pop singer. The EP featured his debut single, "There's a Girl," which reached the top 30 on the charts. He subsequently released his debut album, "You Got 'Em All," in 2018. In 2019, Harmon parted ways with Big Machine Records. In 2020, he married Kathleen Couch, a first-grade teacher. Throughout his journey, Trent Harmon's resilience and musical talents have remained steadfast.
Maddie Poppe
Maddie Poppe's enchanting Joni Mitchell-esque voice propelled her to become a top three finalist on American Idol's 16th season. On May 21, 2018, she claimed the coveted title of the winner, surpassing Caleb Lee Hutchinson, who later became her boyfriend, and Gabby Barrett, who finished in third place. Her victorious performance included the rendition of "Going, Going, Gone," a song penned by Julia Michaels, Mitch Allen, and Lindy Robbins.
Before her American Idol victory, Poppe had already released her independent album "Songs From the Basement" in 2016. Following her win, she completed her first studio album, "Whirlwind," under Hollywood Records in 2019. In 2019, Poppe joined Ingrid Michaelson on her tour as an opening act. The talented musician continues to create music, evident in her 2020 Christmas EP and her 2022 single, "One That Got Away." Notably, Maddie Poppe and her former fellow contestant Caleb Lee Hutchinson have maintained their romantic relationship, delighting their fans with their harmonious love story.
Laine Hardy
Laine Hardy, a resident of Livingston, Louisiana, initially auditioned for American Idol in 2016 but didn't make significant progress in the competition. However, his fortunes changed when he accompanied his friend Ashton Gill on guitar during her season 17 audition. Impressed by his talent, judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie convinced him to give it another shot.
This decision ignited Hardy's journey on American Idol, leading him all the way to the finale. On May 19, 2019, he emerged as the winner, capturing the hearts of viewers with his captivating performance of the winner's single, "Flame." Following his victory, Hardy wasted no time and immediately released "Flame." A few months later, he announced his headlining U.S. tour.
As a country-rock singer, he went on to release several singles, including "Tiny Town" in 2020 and "Memorize You" in 2021. Finally, in 2021, he released his debut album, "Here's to Anyone." Unfortunately, Hardy's music career faced a setback when he was briefly arrested in 2022 for hiding a recording device in his ex-girlfriend's dorm room. Nevertheless, Hardy reassured his fans on Instagram that new music is in the works.
Just Sam
Samantha Diaz, better known by the stage name Just Sam, faced the unique challenge of competing in American Idol's 18th season during the global pandemic. Despite the restrictions, Just Sam managed to triumph over runner-up Arthur Song by reprising their audition song, "Rise Up." They were remotely crowned the winner, becoming the first Black American Idol since Candice Glover in season 12, celebrating their victory from the comfort of their own home.
Following their win, Just Sam released "Rise Up" as a single, along with securing a record deal with Hollywood Records. However, Just Sam decided to part ways with the label to pursue music on their own terms. Unfortunately, this decision came at a significant cost. Just Sam revealed in an interview with the Chicago Defender in 2022 that they had to pay a substantial amount to reclaim the rights to songs they had already recorded. Despite the challenges, the resilient R&B singer has released independent singles, including "Africando" in 2021 and "Pain Is Power" in 2022.
Chayce Beckham
Chayce Beckham, a singer from Apple Valley, California, auditioned in Los Angeles just two weeks before being involved in a tragic car crash. Despite this adversity, Beckham became a favorite among Americans with his standout performance of his original song "23" during the Top 4 round. The song quickly climbed to the top of the iTunes chart, solidifying Beckham's popularity. On May 23, 2021, he emerged as the victor, surpassing finalists Willie Spence and Grace Kinstler.
Immediately following his win, Beckham released "23" as his debut single, becoming the first American Idol contestant to release an original song as their first release. He went on to release his first studio EP, "Doin' It Right," which featured the lead single "Tell Me Twice." Beckham continues to work on new music, further solidifying his presence in the music industry.
Noah Thompson
In a remarkable streak of male country artists, Noah Thompson emerged as the victor of American Idol's 20th season. With his captivating performance of the finale song "One Day Tonight," Thompson outshone his fellow finalist, country singer HunterGirl, securing the coveted title on May 22, 2022.
Following his triumph, the talented singer from Kentucky wasted no time and promptly released "One Day Tonight" as his debut single. Since then, Thompson has continued to release more music, further establishing his presence in the music industry.
American Idol Wiki
"American Idol" made its debut in 2002, riding the wave of reality TV's popularity, and enjoyed a successful 15-season run on Fox. In 2018, the show found a new home on ABC. Ryan Seacrest has been the host since its inception, providing aspiring singers with the opportunity to compete for a recording contract.
Over the course of its two-decade tenure, "American Idol" has catapulted many talented individuals into stardom, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Phillip Phillips. The current panel of judges consists of Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. Take a look at our photos below to explore the updated list of winners from all seasons of "American Idol
American Idol Winners Where are They Now-FAQs
"American Idol" first premiered in 2002.
"American Idol" aired for 15 seasons on Fox.
The show moved to ABC in 2018.
Ryan Seacrest has been the host of "American Idol" since day one.
The current judges on "American Idol" are Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.