American Idol is an American talent reality television series that first aired in 2002. There have been eighteen seasons, so there are eighteen winners. Here is a list of all the American Idol winners.
Kelly Clarkson (2002)[]
- Main article: Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) is an American pop rock singer, songwriter, and occasional actress. Clarkson made her debut under RCA Records after she won the highly-publicized first season of the television series American Idol in 2002.
She was originally marketed as a pop musician with her debut album Thankful (2003). With the release of her multi-platinum second album, Breakaway (2004), Clarkson moved to a more pop rock-oriented style of music. Clarkson's third album, entitled My December, was released on June 26, 2007. According to Sony Music, Clarkson has sold over 56 million albums worldwide. Clarkson has had nine of her singles become Top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Her first three albums have sold over 9.5 million copies in the United States. In 2008, she joined VH1's list of 10 sexiest women of the new millennium at #8. She also hit #28 on VH1's Top 30 Hottest Rock Front Women. As of 2008 she is one of the 10 most played artists on adult contemporary radio. Clarkson's fourth album titled All I Ever Wanted is due out on March 10, 2009. On January 28, 2009, it was announced that her latest single, "My Life Would Suck Without You", had advanced from No. 97 to No. 1 on the Hot 100 in its first week of release, breaking the record for the largest leap to the position in chart history. She is currently the only American Idol contestant to have reached number one in the UK. She claimed number one on March 1, 2009, when "My Life Would Suck Without You" debuted number one on downloads alone. Clarkson's fifth album, Stronger, is scheduled to be released on October 25, 2011.
Ruben Studdard (2003)[]
- Main article: Ruben Studdard
Ruben Studdard
Christopher Theodore Ruben Studdard (born September 12, 1978) is an American pop, R&B, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol. He received a Grammy Award nomination in December 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Superstar".
In the years following Idol, Studdard has released four studio albums. His fourth album, Love Is, was released on May 19, 2009. Studdard's fifth album, Letters from Birmingham, is due to be released in March 2012.
In addition to appearing on various television shows he has toured with Robin Givens in the comedy-drama Heaven I Need a Hug and in 2008 accepted the role of Fats Waller in a national tour of Ain't Misbehavin'.
Fantasia Barrino (2004)[]
- Main article: Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Monique Barrino (born June 30, 1984), commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B singer and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the television series American Idol in 2004. She has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2011 for her single "Bittersweet". After playing the part of Celie in the Broadway musical The Color Purple, she is cast to be in the film adaptation of the musical. She will also portray gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in an upcoming biopic, which is scheduled to released sometime in 2012.
Carrie Underwood (2005)[]
- Main article: Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma) is an American country pop singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, and has become a multi-platinum selling recording artist and a multiple Grammy Award winner. Her debut album, Some Hearts, was certified seven times platinum and is the fastest selling debut country album in Nielsen SoundScan history. Some Hearts yielded three number one hits on the Billboard Country charts in the United States and Canada: "Jesus, Take the Wheel", "Wasted", and her biggest hit to date, "Before He Cheats", as well as four number one country hits overall including "Don't Forget To Remember Me". Her debut album is also the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history.
Taylor Hicks (2006)[]
- Main article: Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks
Taylor Reuben Hicks (born October 7, 1976) is an American singer who achieved fame in 2006 as a contestant on the fifth season of American Idol, which he won later that year. Hicks got his start as a professional musician in his late teens and performed around the Southeastern United States for well over the span of a decade, during which he also released two independent albums. Upon winning Idol, he was signed to Arista Records, under which his self-titled major label debut was released on December 12, 2006. His energetic stage performances and influences derived from classic rock, blues, and R&B music had earned him a following of devout fans, who have been dubbed the "Soul Patrol." He is currently on tour in Grease playing Teen Angel, the role originated by Alan Paul. The new CD, The Distance, is set to drop March 10, 2009, with the first single, "What's Right Is Right", going to AC adds January 27, 2009.
Jordin Sparks (2007)[]
- Main article: Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Brianna Sparks (born December 22, 1989) is an American pop/R&B singer, songwriter, fashion designer, and plus-size model. She rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol, which led to her reception of an American Music Award and Grammy nominations in 2008. Her self titled debut album was certified Platinum in the U.S. on December 12, 2008. She is one of the few American Idol winners to have major success on the Billboard Hot 100, alongside Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
David Cook (2008)[]
- Main article: David Cook
David Cook
David Roland Cook (born December 20, 1982) is an American rock singer-songwriter, who rose to fame after winning the seventh season of the reality television show American Idol. Prior to Idol, he released an album entitled Analog Heart, and his post-Idol self-titled album, produced by Rob Cavallo, was released on November 18, 2008. His second major-label album This Loud Morning was released on June 28, 2011.
Kris Allen (2009)[]
- Main article: Kris Allen
Kris Allen
Kristopher Neil Allen (born June 21, 1985) is an American singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of season 8 of American Idol. Prior to Idol, he self-released a 2007 album entitled Brand New Shoes. His self-titled major-label debut album was released on November 17, 2009, spawning the Top 20 hit "Live Like We're Dying". Another song from that album, "I Need to Know", was featured in an episode of the popular CW series The Vampire Diaries.
Lee DeWyze (2010)[]
- Main article: Lee DeWyze
Lee DeWyze
Leon James "Lee" DeWyze, Jr. (born April 2, 1986) is an American singer-songwriter from Mount Prospect, Illinois, and the winner of the ninth season of American Idol. Prior to Idol, DeWyze had a solo career and formed the Lee DeWyze Band. He had also released two independent albums called So I'm Told in 2007 and Slumberland in 2010, both on WuLi Records. His post-Idol album Live It Up was released on November 16, 2010, through 19 Entertainment and RCA Records.
Scotty McCreery (2011)[]
Scotty McCreery
The winner of the tenth season of American Idol was announced on May 25, 2011. Scotty McCreery won the season over Lauren Alaina and released his first single, "I Love You This Big", which debuted at number 32 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart & at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has since gone gold, having sold 503,000 copies as of August 17, 2011. His five-song EP, sold exclusively at Wal Mart and online, debuted at number 10 on the BIllboard 200, selling 40,000 copies in its first week. His full-length debut album, Clear as Day, was released on October 4, 2011 and made history by becoming the first debut album released by an Idol winner since 2003 to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 with almost 198,000 copies sold in its first week. The album also debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart
Phillip Phillips (2012)[]
Phillip Phillips
Phillip Phillips, a 21-year-old pawn store employee from Leesburg, Georgia, won Season 11 on May 23, 2012, defeating 16-year-old powerhouse vocalist Jessica Sanchez. His first single is called "Home", which was written by Andrew Pearson, who also produced the song, and Greg Holden. His debut album, The World from the Side of the Moon, was released in November 2012 and has gone platinum.
Candice Glover (2013)[]
Candice Glover
Candice Glover, a 23-year-old R&B singer from Beaufort, South Carolina, won Season 12 on May 16, 2013, defeating 22-year-old Texas country singer Kree Harrison. Her first single is called "I Am Beautiful". Her debut album, Music Speaks, was released on February 18, 2014. The album has received positive reviews.
Caleb Johnson (2014)[]
Caleb Johnson
Caleb Johnson, a 23-year-old rock singer from Asheville, North Carolina, won Season 13 on May 21, 2014, defeating 17-year-old pop-rock singer Jena Irene. His first single is called "As Long As You Love Me". His debut album, Testify, was released on August 12, 2014.
Nick Fradiani (2015)[]
Nick Fradiani
Nick Fradiani, a 29-year-old singer-songwriter from Guilford, Connecticut, won Season 14 on May 13, 2015, beating out pop-soul singer Clark Beckham, who had been the frontrunner for the majority of the season. Nick's first single is called "Beautiful Life", which is also the anthem for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Trent Harmon (2016)[]
Trent Harmon
Trent Harmon, a 25-year-old singer from Amory, Mississippi won Season 15 on April 7, 2016, defeating 22-year-old La'Porsha Renae. His first single is "Falling", which was released on April 6, 2016.
Maddie Poppe (2018)[]
Maddie Poppe, a 20-year-old singer from Clarksville, Iowa won Season 16 on May 21, 2018, defeating 19-year-old Caleb Lee Hutchinson. Her first single is "Going Going Gone", which was released on May 21, 2018.
Laine Hardy (2019)[]
Laine Hardy, an 18-year-old singer from Livingston, Louisiana won Season 17 on May 19, 2019, defeating 24-year-old Alejandro Aranda. His first single is "Flame", which was released on May 19, 2019.
Just Sam (2020)[]
Just Sam, a 20-year-old singer from Harlem, New York won Season 18 on May 17, 2020, defeating 21-year-old Arthur Gunn. Her first single is "Rise Up", which was released on May 17, 2020.
Chayce Beckham (2021)[]
Chayce Beckham, a 24-year-old singer from Apple Valley, California won Season 19 on May 23, 2021, defeating 17-year-old Willie Spence. His first single is "23", which was released on May 23, 2021.
Noah Thompson (2022)[]
Noah Thompson a 20 -year-old singer from Louisa, Kentucky won Season 20 on May 22 2022, defeating HunterGirl 25-year-old HunterGirl His first single is One Day Tonight which was released on May 22 2022