When competitive singing show American Idol premiered in 2002, no one could foresee the lasting impact it would have on pop culture and reality television. The show has produced countless chart-topping artists, many of whom now have highly awarded music careers, and has also influenced other singing competitions globally.
22 vocalists have been named the “American Idol” so far, but not all have remained in the spotlight. Read on to learn about where each former Idol winner is now!
Season 1: Kelly Clarkson
The inaugural winner of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, set the bar impressively high for success following the show. During her music career, she has sold over 25 million albums and 45 million singles worldwide.
In addition to being a powerhouse vocalist, Kelly has become a television personality, hosting her own award-winning talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and appearing as a coach on NBC’s The Voice. Her list of accolades is ever-growing and includes three MTV Video Music Awards, three Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, eight Daytime Emmy Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
She was married to Brandon Blackstock from 2013 to 2021 before going through a tense and highly-publicized divorce. The pair share a daughter, River, and a son, Remington.
Season 2: Ruben Studdard
R&B singer Ruben Studdard developed close bonds with his fellow contestants during his time on Idol. He recently concluded a tour with his runner-up Clay Aiken to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their season. The pair also competed on The Masked Singer as The Beets.
Ruben is married to Kristin Moore, and the pair have welcomed a son, Oliver, and a daughter, Henri.
Season 3: Fantasia Barrino
In 2004, Fantasia Barrino became the youngest contestant to win American Idol at just 19 years old. In the years following, she released six studio albums and eventually became a Broadway star, performing in the musical The Color Purple. Her portrayal of Celie Johnson earned her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, as well as Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.
As of 2024, Fantasia is heading Rock Soul Productions, an entertainment company that she describes as “the manifestation of my evolution as an artist, a creative, and a businesswoman.”
Season 4: Carrie Underwood
So far in her career, country superstar Carrie Underwood has released nine studio albums, one greatest hits album, and 29 singles. As of 2023, She had sold over 85 million albums and won eight Grammys, 16 ACM Awards, nine CMA Awards, and 26 CMT Music Awards, making her one of the most successful American Idol winners in the show’s history.
She married Mike Fisher in 2010 and has since welcomed two sons, Isaiah and Jacob. Carrie still tours the country performing her music and just recently extended her residency in Las Vegas.
In a full-circle moment for her career, Carrie will be returning to American Idol to take a seat at the judge’s table for the 23rd season of the show.
Season 5: Taylor Hicks
After winning American Idol in 2006, soulful singer Taylor Hicks released a self-titled album and then joined a traveling production of the musical Grease. As time went on, Hicks proved himself to be a multi-talented businessman. He started his own record label, Modern Whomp, hosted a reality food and travel television show called State Plate, and published an autobiography titled Heart Full of Soul.
Taylor is still releasing songs and traveling the country to perform both original music and covers.
Season 6: Jordan Sparks
Since her time on Idol, Jordan Sparks has released four studio albums and earned various awards, including the NAACP Image Award, a BET Award, an American Music Award, a People’s Choice Award, and two Teen Choice Awards. Her song “No Air” remains the third highest-selling song by an American Idol contestant, with three million digital copies sold in the United States alone.
Sparks followed in the footsteps of some of her fellow Idol champions and did a stint on Broadway, playing Nina Rosario in the musical In The Heights. In 2012, she made her feature film debut in the movie Sparkle.
The singer married fitness model Dana Isaiah in 2017 and welcomed a son the following year.
Season 7: David Cook
David Cook has released four studio albums and three EPs since being crowned the “American Idol” in 2008. Since parting ways with his record label, RCA, the rocker continues to work as an independent artist and produce original music.
David married his longtime girlfriend, Racheal Stump, in a private ceremony in Nashville in June 2015. He regularly advocates for organizations such as the National Brain Tumor Society after losing his brother to a tumor in 2009.
Season 8: Kris Allen
After his surprising win on Idol, Kris Allen moved to Los Angeles with his wife Katy and welcomed a daughter a few years later. Kris has released six total studio albums, the sophomore of which contained his hit song “Live Like We’re Dying.”
While he continued to pursue music, his focus shifted more toward his family at home. Now a father of three, he told Arkansas Online:
“My son claims he doesn’t want to do music, but I hear him sing all the time and he does have some sort of musical ability. If I’m going to show anyone a song first, it’s going to be him.”
Season 9: Lee DeWyze
Lee DeWyze was crowned American Idol in 2010, beating out runner-up Crystal Bowersox. Shortly after, he won the Teen Choice Award for Male Reality/Variety Star. In the decade that followed, Lee released five studio albums with various labels in addition to the two he released prior to his time on the show.
Lee married actress Jonna Walsh in 2012, and the pair have a pet golden retriever named Remy.
Season 10: Scotty McCreery
Scotty McCreery has found success in the country music industry following his Idol win when he was just 17 years old. His debut album, Clear as Day, was certified platinum in the United States. In 2017, Scotty McCreery made country music history when his single “Five More Minutes” went no. 1. He became the only country music artist in Country Aircheck/Media Base history to chart a song without the backing of a record label.
Earlier this year, the 30-year-old became a member of the famed Grand Ole Opry and was inducted by his musical idol, Josh Turner.
The country crooner married Gabi Dugal in 2018, and he has leaned into dad life since welcoming his son Avery in 2022.
Season 11: Phillip Phillips
Phillip Phillips caught the attention of music fans with his energetic performance style and memorable name. His first single following his Idol win, “Home,” became the best-selling coronation song of any victor, debuting at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and going on to sell more than 5 million copies.
Streams of Phillip’s songs on digital platforms have now exceeded 1 billion. He is currently on his summer tour, playing shows all over the country.
Phillip has been married to his wife, Hannah Blackwell, since 2015, and the couple welcomed a son in 2019.
Season 12: Candice Glover
Candice Glover has released one album since her 2013 victory on American Idol. Music Speaks debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200 chart but did not rise any higher up the ranks.
Candice graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2022 and sang at the commencement ceremony.
In 2023, the soulful singer released a Christmas album with a musical group called “The CandiBand.”
Season 13: Caleb Johnson
During Caleb Johnson’s season of American Idol, he was the only finalist to never land in the bottom three before reaching the finale. Following his win, he released a solo album, but when reception was mild, he left his record label and formed the group Caleb Johnson and the Ramblin’ Saints.
In 2018, Caleb joined the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and sang “Three Kings & I” during their winter tour. Later, he joined Neverland Express, the backing band for singer Meat Loaf. Together, they released one album and toured the United Kingdom in 2023.
Season 14: Nick Fradiani
Nick Fradiani was no stranger to singing competitions, as he won the Battle of the Bands at Mohegan Sun in 2011 with his band, Beach Avenue. He also competed on America’s Got Talent the year prior to tasting victory on American Idol in 2015.
After releasing his debut album, Hurricane, with Big Machine Label Group, Nick returned to his roots and created an EP with his Beach Avenue bandmate, Nick Abraham. Most recently, the 34-year-old portrayed Neil Diamond in the traveling tour of the musical “A Beautiful Noise.”
Season 15: Trent Harmon
Trent Harmon also tried his hand at multiple singing competitions, having auditioned for NBC’s The Voice in 2014. He later reflected on how that rejection prepared him for American Idol.
After winning the show, Trent released his single, “Falling,” which was co-written by country music superstar and then-Idol judge Keith Urban. Personal struggles, as well as challenges with his record label, caused Trent’s debut album to be delayed, but it was eventually released in May 2018.
In 2019, Trent and his long-time girlfriend Kathleen tied the knot during an intimate elopement. They have since welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Dolly Jean.
Season 16: Maddie Poppe
Multi-instrumentalist Maddie Poppe released her first studio album, Whirlwind, in May 2019, almost exactly one year after winning American Idol. That year proved to be a big one for Maddie, as she had two singles land on the US Adult Top 40 chart and later joined indie pop artist Ingrid Michaelson on her US tour.
Since then, Maddie has released a Christmas EP and four more non-album singles. She still tours regularly and has opened for artists such as Joshua Radin and Nick Carter.
Maddie is currently dating Nashville-based musician and producer Gabe Burdulis. Maddie regularly shares sweet photos with her beaux, whom she calls her “sweet sweet.”
Season 17: Laine Hardy
Louisianna native Laine Hardy embarked on a headlining tour following his Idol win, visiting 13 cities across the US. He released a handful of singles, including “Memorize You” and “Tiny Town,” before his debut album dropped in September 2021.
In 2022, Laine faced legal struggles when he was arrested for allegedly placing a listening device into his ex-girlfriend’s dorm room. However, he was able to avoid jail time and keep a clean record by enrolling in an intervention program for nonviolent offenders.
Recently, Laine has been back in the studio and has a new song titled “That Man” coming soon.
Season 18: Just Sam
Samantha Diaz, known publicly as Just Sam, had an unusual end to their American Idol journey, having been announced as the winner virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Afterward, Just Sam struggled under their record label, Hollywood Records, in a process that was financially draining.
Over the next couple of years, the artist released a few independent singles, including “Africando” and “Change.” By 2023, Just Sam had returned to busking in New York City, saying that it was out of necessity to pay rent and bills.
However, by the end of 2023, Just Sam signed a new management deal with CrowdMGMT.
Season 19: Chayce Beckham
Chayce Beckham quickly scored his first no. 1 hit after gaining exposure on American Idol. His original song “23” reached the top of the US Country Airplay Chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The song went on to earn a nomination at the CMT Music Awards for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year.
To this day, Chayce is the only Idol winner to have done so by singing his own songs. The 28-year-old released his debut album, Bad For Me, in April 2024, which embraces a “timeless country-rock sound defined by fiddles, steel guitar, and plenty of against-the-grain attitude.”
Chayce is currently on tour with rising country star Parker McCollum and is simultaneously about to wrap up his own Bad For Me Tour.
Season 20: Noah Thompson
The whirlwind that followed his American Idol victory caught Noah Thompson by surprise. He admitted:
“I came off the show freaking out – I had no idea what was happening, what to do with my life. I knew I wanted to play music, but in a million years, I never thought I would end up winning ‘American Idol,’ being on the road, playing shows, and writing music. It took me a minute to figure that out.”
His debut single, “One Day Tonight,” reached #1 on both the iTunes country chart and the iTunes all-genre chart less than one week after he was crowned champion. Later in 2022, he hit the road with the runner-up from his season, HunterGirl, for a co-headlining tour.
Recently, Noah has been writing many new songs, including “Front Door Famous,” which appeared on Luke Combs’ album Fathers and Sons.
Season 21: Iam Tongi
Iam Tongi is the only singer of Pacific-Islander descent to have been crowned American Idol. Iam quickly earned the praise of viewers by sharing his big heart and raw emotions. After the show concluded, Iam went on tour with fellow contestant and good friend Oliver Steele.
In 2023, when wildfires devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui, Iam used his platform to raise support, sharing social media videos encouraging his followers to donate to the response efforts.
Iam has released three singles so far, the most successful of which was “I’ll Be Seeing You,” which reached #1 on the US Rock Digital chart.
Season 22: Abi Carter
California native Abi Carter is just beginning her music career. She was crowned the most recent American Idol in May 2024 and was the first woman in four years to win the competition. In the few short months that have passed, she has made appearances on some of the nation’s top morning shows, performed at national sporting events, and held her first full concert on July 27.
Abi currently has one single out, “This Isn’t Over,” and has been in the studio working on new music. We are excited to see what she has in store!
Watch Abi Carter’s American Idol crowning moment in the video below!