'American Idol' Winners: Where Are They Now?
You’re going to Hollywood! American Idol paved the way for reality competition shows to help everyday people achieve their dreams of music stardom.
The series premiered in 2002 on Fox with a star-studded judging panel consisting of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. American Idol‘s freshman season introduced Kelly Clarkson, who would become the show’s first breakout star.
The three judges reunited in September 2019 on The Kelly Clarkson Show where they admitted they weren’t certain the show’s premise could work — until Clarkson walked through the door.
“I actually, genuinely do not believe we would be sitting here today if you hadn’t entered the show that year,” Cowell said. “The whole premise of the show was, we had to find a star who was gonna sell records. We found some great people that whole year, but when you delivered that moment on that first live show, and you sang that winning song at the end …”
Jackson added, “We looked at each other at the end of the finale and said, ‘Wow, this thing is really gonna work.’ I think that was the moment that we knew.”
American Idol soon became a pop culture phenomenon that produced winners such as Ruben Studdard, Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks. The competition series also turned contestants who didn’t win — including Chris Daughtry, Adam Lambert and Jennifer Hudson — into household names.
However, the road to stardom wasn’t always an easy one for the contestants. Underwood told Parade in 2015 that American Idol was “the most horrifying thing” and that she wasn’t certain her music career could succeed.
“I always kept in my head, ‘If nothing else ever comes of this, I got to do the coolest thing ever and I won ‘American Idol,'” Underwood said. “I was like, ‘Okay, I will just have fun with this and save up as much money as I can and finish school and get a real job.’ Because I am always a practical thinker and would never allow myself to think it would turn out okay all the time.”
Underwood ended up winning season 4 and later received the most Grammy Awards of any American Idol winner.
The original series ended in 2016 but returned two years later on ABC. The revamped show included a brand new set of judges with Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie helming the show. American Idol set another milestone when it crowned its first at-home winner, Just Sam, on season 18 in May 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Scroll through the gallery below to see where the American Idol winners are today.
After winning the inaugural title, the Texas native signed a record deal with RCA Records and released her debut album, Thankful, in 2003. Later that year, Clarkson costarred in the movie From Justin to Kelly with season 1 runner-up, Justin Guarini. She went on to release eight studio albums and has won three Grammys, including for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2006 and 2013. She published the children’s book, River Rose and the Magical Lullaby, in 2016. Clarkson became a coach on season 14 of The Voice in 2018. One year later, she became the host of her own talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show. The songstress married talent manager Brandon Blackstock in 2013, and Us confirmed that she filed for divorce in June 2020. The couple are the parents of daughter River Rose and son Remington. Lucy Nicholson/AP/Shutterstock; Jason Merritt/Radarpics/Shutterstock
Studdard — who was dubbed American Idol’s “velvet teddy bear” — beat out season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken in 2003. Studdard released his first album, Soulful, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and received a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. The Alabama native released a gospel album in 2004 before switching back to R&B in 2006 with his album, The Return. However, his label, J Records, dropped him in 2007. He released his latest album, Ruben Sings Luther — a tribute to the late Luther Vandross — in 2018. Studdard made his return to reality TV when he competed on season 15 of The Biggest Loser as the show’s first-ever celebrity contestant. He married Zuri McCants in 2008, but the pair divorced in 2012. Kevork Djansezian/AP/Shutterstock; Mediapunch/Shutterstock
The North Carolina native released her Grammy-nominated debut album, Free Yourself, in 2004 after she won season 3. She later earned 12 Grammy nominations and one Grammy win for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2011. Barrino has recorded a total of seven studio albums including her 2019 album, Sketchbook. The singer took on Broadway when she starred in the musicals The Color Purple in 2007 and After Midnight in 2013. Barrino also opened up about her personal life in her memoir, Fantasia: Life Is Not a Fairytale, which was turned into a Lifetime movie in 2006. In 2010, Barrino starred in her VH1 reality series, Fantasia for Real, for two seasons. Later that year, she suffered from an aspirin overdose which she later admitted was a suicide attempt. Barrino married businessman Kendall Taylor in 2015. In May 2021, the pair welcomed their first child together, daughter Keziah. Barrino is also the mother of daughter Zion and son Dallas from previous relationships. American Idol Prod/Fox Tv Network/Fremantle Media North America/Kobal/Shutterstock; Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Underwood scored the winning title on season 4 in 2005 before she released her debut album, Some Hearts, which included the singles “Jesus Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats.” The Tennessee native recorded six studio albums, which awarded her seven Grammys — the most of any Idol winner. She also set the 2010 Guinness World Record for most country No. 1 songs for a female artist in the U.S. The “Drinking Alone” singer made her acting debut as Maria von Trapp in NBC’s The Sound of Music: Live in 2013. In November 2017, Underwood fell on the steps outside of her house in Nashville, Tennessee, which resulted in a broken wrist and 40 stitches to her face. Underwood married hockey player Mike Fisher in 2010. The couple share son Isaiah. Kevork Djansezian/AP/Shutterstock; AFF-USA/Shutterstock
Hicks beat out runner-up Katharine McPhee on season 5 in 2006 with the help of his loyal fanbase, Soul Patrol. He released his self-titled debut album later that year. After poor record sales, Hicks was dropped from his record label in 2008, which caused him to form his own label, Modern Whomp. The Alabama native recorded three studio albums and released his latest single, “Six Strings and Diamond Rings,” in 2017. Hicks starred on Broadway in Grease in 2008 before joining the national tour in 2009. He landed a Las Vegas residency in 2012 — a first for an Idol winner. Hicks is co-owner of Saw’s Juke Joint in Birmingham, Alabama, and host of INSP’s food and travel series, State Plate. Branimir Kvartuc/AP/Shutterstock; Shutterstock
Sparks released her self-titled first album in 2007 after winning season 6 that year. The album included the hit singles “Tattoo” and “No Air,” which featured Chris Brown. Sparks has released three studio albums and earned one Grammy nomination. The Arizona native starred in the 2010 Broadway musical In the Heights and the 2012 movie Sparkle alongside the late Whitney Houston. In 2016, Sparks appeared in a pilot for the reality series Sugar and Sparks — which chronicled her journey to open a bakery — on the Food Network. The episode was not picked up for a full series. Sparks had a high-profile relationship with Jason Derulo from 2011 to 2014. She returned to the music scene later that year with the mixtape, #ByeFelicia. Sparks married fitness model Dana Isaiah in 2017 and welcomed their son, Dana Isaiah Thomas Jr., in May 2018. Jss Images/BEI/Shutterstock; Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Shutterstock
After winning season 7 in 2008, the rocker released his self-titled album — which included the single “Time of My Life” — in November 2008. Cook left his label in 2012 and began releasing music independently and with his band Midwest Kings. In 2018, he starred in the Broadway musical Kinky Boots and also released his EP titled CHROMANCE later that year. The Texas native married Rachael Stump in 2015. Stewart Cook/Shutterstock; Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Allen beat out fan-favorite Adam Lambert on season 8 in 2009. Months later, he released his self-titled album, which included the single “Live Like We’re Dying.” Allen’s most recent studio release was Letting You In in 2015. The Arkansas native was in a car accident in 2013, which left him with a shattered wrist that needed three surgeries over the following years. His accident forced him to re-learn playing the guitar. Allen married his high school sweetheart, Katy O’Connell, in 2008. The duo are the parents of sons Marlo and Oliver and daughter Rose. Peter Brooker/Shutterstock; Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
The Illinois native won season 9 in 2010. Shortly after, he signed to RCA Records and released his debut album, Live It Up. DeWyze has released six studio albums, which have included songs that have been featured on TV shows such as The Walking Dead, Shameless, Nashville, Elementary and Suits. His latest album, Oil & Water, was released in 2016 and debuted in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Folk Music Chart. DeWyze married actress Jonna Walsh in 2012. Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock; Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
McCreery was the season 10 winner in 2011 making him the youngest male to receive the title at age 17. He released his platinum debut album, Clear as Day, later that year. The country singer released three studio albums including his 2018 album, Seasons Change, and has toured with Brad Paisley, The Band Perry and Rascal Flatts. McCreery authored his memoir, Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream, in 2016. The North Carolina crooner married Gabi Dugal in 2018. Broadimage/Shutterstock; Scott Kirkland/Shutterstock
Phillips won season 11 in 2012. On the season finale, he performed his song “Home," which became Idol's best-selling coronation song. The song appeared on his debut album, The World from the Side of the Moon, which hit No. 2 on the Billboard charts. He released his sophomore album, Behind the Light, in 2014. The Georgia native was in a legal battle over his contract with American Idol’s production company 19 Entertainment in 2015, which prevented him from releasing new music. The lawsuit was settled in 2017. Phillips released his album Collateral in 2018 — his first studio album since 2014. He married Hannah Blackwell in 2015. Veda Jo Jenkins/Shutterstock; Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
Glover became the first female American Idol winner since Sparks during season 12 in 2013. One year later, she released her debut album, Music Speaks. After a hiatus, the South Carolina native released her single “My Mistake” in 2017 followed by her song “Break Me" in 2018. She starred in the Broadway musical Home for the Holidays in 2017. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; John Salangsang/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Johnson won season 13 in 2014 making him the first winner to not land in the bottom three during their season. He released his debut album, Testify, just two months after wrapping the season. The North Carolina native parted ways with his record label the following year. The singer is now the frontman of the band Caleb Johnson and the Ramblin' Saints, which released an LP in 2019. Mediapunch/Shutterstock; Larry Marano/Shutterstock
After the Connecticut native won season 14 in 2015, he released his debut album, Hurricane. Two years later, Fradiani parted ways with his label, Big Machine Records. He began starring in the national tour of the Broadway musical A Bronx Tale in 2019. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; PHIL McCARTEN/MEGA
Harmon was the season 15 winner in 2015, which was the original Idol’s farewell season. He released his debut single “Falling” shortly after winning. His debut album, You Got ‘Em All, was released in 2018. He left his record label Big Machine Records in 2019. Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Amy Harris/Shutterstock
Poppe was the season 16 winner and the first winner after the series' revival on ABC in 2018. The Iowa native released her first studio album, Whirlwind, in 2019. She joined Ingrid Michaelson for the Dramatic Tour in the U.S. in 2019. Broadimage/Shutterstock; imageSPACE/Shutterstock
The season 17 winner was crowned in 2019 and he followed up his win with his debut single "Flame." The Louisiana native headlined his first tour later that year. In 2020 he released two new songs, "Ground I Grew Up On" and "Let There Be Country." Eric McCandless/ABC; Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
The season 18 contestant was crowned the first at-home winner of American Idol in 2020. ABC
Prior to winning season 19 of American Idol in May 2021, the country star told The Los Angeles Daily News he had no plans to slow down post-competition. “I think it’s super important to take the momentum that you have and keep going with it. And not say, ‘Oh man, this crazy show’s over with, I’m going to relax for a month or two,’” he said. ABC/Eric McCandless
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