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Most Successful American Idol Contestants, Who Are the Most Successful 'American Idol' Contestants?

Who Are the Most Successful 'American Idol' Contestants? From Idol to Icons, the Melodious Rise of America's Most Successful Singing Stars tuned for Triumph.

by Nithya A

Updated Nov 24, 2023

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American Idol

American Idol is a famous singing competition on American TV. It was created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and shown on Fox from June 11, 2002, to April 7, 2016, for 15 seasons. After a two-year break, it came back on March 11, 2018, on ABC.

The show began as an addition to the Idols format based on the British Pop Idol. It became one of the most successful shows in American TV history. The idea is to find talented singers who aren't signed to music labels and let them become stars. People in America vote for their favorite singers using phones, the Internet, and text messages. The winners of the first twenty-one seasons include Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, and more.

There are judges who give feedback to the contestants. In the early seasons, judges were Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. Later seasons had judges like Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr., Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. Ryan Seacrest has hosted most seasons.

American Idol has been incredibly successful, making many artists famous. According to Billboard magazine, in its first ten years, it produced many chart-topping songs and created popular stars. It had high TV ratings for eight years in a row, making it a very impactful and well-loved show.

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Most Successful American Idol Contestants

Carrie Underwood

How she finished: Season 4 Winner
Net worth: $140 million
Summary: Carrie Underwood won American Idol in season four. Since then, she released nine albums, won numerous awards, and ventured into writing and fashion. Her net worth is $140 million.

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Kelly Clarkson

How she finished: Season 1 Winner
Net worth: $45 million
Summary: Kelly Clarkson, the season one winner, is known for hits like "Since U Been Gone." Apart from music, she hosts The Kelly Clarkson Show and is into children's books. Her net worth is $45 million.

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Adam Lambert

How he finished: Season 8 Runner-Up
Net worth: $35 million
Summary: Adam Lambert, a season eight runner-up, has a successful music career, with Grammy nominations. He's also known for his charity work and recently released his fifth studio album, High Drama.

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Jennifer Hudson

How she finished: Season 3 Finalist, 7th Place
Net worth: $30 million
Summary: Despite not winning, Jennifer Hudson achieved EGOT status and has a successful acting career. She won an Oscar for Dreamgirls and hosts The Jennifer Hudson Show.

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Katharine McPhee

How she finished: Season 5 Runner-Up
Net worth: $14 million
Summary: Katharine McPhee, a season five runner-up, is known for her music and acting career, including roles in Smash and Waitress on Broadway.

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Jordin Sparks

How she finished: Season 6 Winner
Net worth: $8 million
Summary: Jordin Sparks, the youngest winner, released Grammy-nominated albums. She ventured into acting, starring in movies and Broadway shows.

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Chris Daughtry

How he finished: Season 5 Finalist, 4th Place
Net worth: $8 million
Summary: Chris Daughtry formed the band Daughtry and achieved rapid success with their debut album. He's also appeared in TV shows.

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Elliott Yamin

How he finished: Season 5 Finalist, 3rd Place
Net worth: $6 million
Summary: Elliott Yamin, a finalist in season five, achieved success with multiple albums and hits like "Wait For You."

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Scotty McCreery

How he finished: Season 10 Winner
Net worth: $4 million
Summary: Scotty McCreery, the season ten winner, has a thriving country music career, winning awards and achieving platinum status.

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Clay Aiken

How he finished: Season 2 Runner-Up
Net worth: $4 million
Summary: Clay Aiken, a season two runner-up, ventured into politics but continued with his singing career, touring with Ruben Studdard.

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American Idol Winners List

Season	Winner Name	Years
1	Kelly Clarkson	2002
2	Ruben Studdard	2003
3	Fantasia Barrino	2004
4	Carrie Underwood	2005
5	Taylor Hicks	2006
6	Jordin Sparks	2007
7	David Cook	2008
8	Kris Allen	2009
9	Lee DeWyze	2010
10	Scotty McCreery	2011
11	Phillip Phillips	2012
12	Candice Glover	2013
13	Caleb Johnson	2014
14	Nick Fradiani	2015
15	Trent Harmon	2016
16	Maddie Poppe	2018
17	Laine Hardy	2019
18	Just Sam	2020
19	Chayce Beckham	2021
20	Noah Thompson	2022
21	Iam Tongi	2023

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Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site.

Most Successful American Idol Contestants - FAQs

1. Has Jennifer Hudson won an EGOT?

Yes, Jennifer Hudson achieved EGOT status by winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.

2. Which American Idol contestant has a foundation supporting the LGBTQ+ community?

Adam Lambert founded the Feel Something Foundation, a non-profit that supports the LGBTQ+ community.

3. Who is the youngest winner in American Idol history?

Jordin Sparks is the youngest winner in American Idol history. She won in Season 6 at the age of 17.

4. What other ventures has Carrie Underwood pursued besides singing?

Carrie Underwood has ventured into writing and fashion. She released a book titled "Find Your Path" and founded a fitness clothing line called CALIA by Carrie.

5. Which American Idol contestant has the highest net worth?

Carrie Underwood is reported to have one of the highest net worth among American Idol contestants, estimated at $140 million.

Most Successful American Idol Contestants, Who Are the Most Successful 'American Idol' Contestants?

American Idol