Are you American Idol fans ready? Season 22 officially premieres tonight, Feb. 18, 2024 on ABC and we absolutely can't wait to begin a new journey of finding America's next singing sensation. Though it is bittersweet as this will be judge Katy Perry's final season. As we wait to tune in, we thought we'd take a walk down memory lane.
There's been 21 winners so far over the years since the show started in 2002. It's produced some awesome stars who go from their hometowns to Hollywood, and we can't wait to see who's crowned the champ in the new season. In the meantime as we count down the hours to American Idol 2024, we've shared all the American Idol winners and what they're up to now. Check them all out below!
American Idol winners
- Season 1 (2002): Kelly Clarkson
- Season 2 (2003): Ruben Studdard
- Season 3 (2004): Fantasia Barrino
- Season 4 (2005): Carrie Underwood
- Season 5 (2006): Taylor Hicks
- Season 6 (2007): Jordin Sparks
- Season 7 (2008): David Cook
- Season 8 (2009): Kris Allen
- Season 9 (2010): Lee DeWyze
- Season 10 (2011): Scotty McCreery
- Season 11 (2012): Phillip Phillips
- Season 12 (2013): Candice Glover
- Season 13 (2014): Caleb Johnson
- Season 14 (2015): Nick Fradiani
- Season 15 (2016): Trent Harmon
- Season 16 (2018): Maddie Poppe
- Season 17 (2019): Laine Hardy
- Season 18 (2020): Just Sam (Samantha Diaz)
- Season 19 (2021): Chayce Beckham
- Season 20 (2022): Noah Thompson
- Season 21 (2023): Iam Tongi
Season 1 (2002): Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson is one of the contestants who found the most success after American Idol. She's also just iconic to the show for being the first winner! Afterwards, she debuted "A Moment Like This," which was widely popular. It became the best-selling single of 2002 in the U.S. In the years since Idol, she's served as a coach on The Voice seasons 14 to 21, and season 23. In 2019, she got her own talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, on NBC and that's what she's mostly been doing since. Clarkson released a total of 10 studio albums, the latest being "chemistry" which was released in 2023. Check out her website and Instagram to stay up to date with the singer's music! She is currently 41 years old and has two kids from her previous marriage to Brandon Blackstock.
Season 2 (2003): Ruben Studdard
Ruben Studdard has released a total of seven studio albums since his American Idol days, the first being "Soulful" in 2003. The singer has also explored acting, known most for playing Fats Waller in Ain't Misbehavin' on stage. He made his Broadway debut with season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken in the show Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show. The Alabama native continues to make music and tour today, with his latest album, "The Way I Remember It," released in 2023. Check out his website and Instagram to see what he has coming next. Studdard is currently 45 years old. He is married to Kristin Moore and the two have a son.
Season 3 (2004): Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Barrino found immediate success after winning season 3. Her debut single, "I Believe," reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list, making her the second woman able to do so. In 2005, she released an autobiography which was made into a television film. That was her foray into acting as she starred in the movie - The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life Is Not a Fairy Tale. On Broadway, the artist played Celie Johnson in The Color Purple, and took on the role once again in the movie adaptation. This led to her being nominated for a Golden Globe in 2024. She's released a total of seven studio albums, and there's talks the 39-year-old is working on a gospel record. Barrino is married to Kendall Taylor, and the two have a daughter. The artist has two other kids from previous relationships. The former contestant has a lot going on! Don't miss any of it by checking out her website.
Season 4 (2005): Carrie Underwood
The other most famous gal to come out of Idol is definitely Carrie Underwood! She is so iconic. The star was the the first country singer to make it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart thanks to her first song, "Inside Your Heaven." Over the years she's won eight Grammys, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Clarkson does too!). In 2015, she started her own clothing line called CALIA. The artist has nine studio albums, the latest being "Denim & Rhinestones" in 2022. She currently has a Las Vegas residency and will be there until August 2024. The talent is 40 years old and married to NHL player Mike Fisher. The couple has two sons. Her website provides the most up to date info about the singer's tour dates and shows.
Season 5 (2006): Taylor Hicks
The fifth season's champ was Taylor Hicks. Before he joined Idol, the artist already had two independent albums which had been recorded and released. Do you remember his fandom's name? Sould Patrol! Lots of these American Idol alums have found themselves on Broadway, and Hicks was one of them. He played Teen Angel in the stage production of Grease. He is the first winner of the series who got himself a Las Vegas residency long-term. He was there from 2012 to 2013. He released a total of three studio albums, the last one being in 2009. However in February 2023, Hicks did release the single "Porch Swing." He is still doing some tour dates in 2024, which can be found on his website. He is 47 years old.
Season 6 (2007): Jordin Sparks
Another known singer today is definitely Jordin Sparks who won American Idol season 6! At the time of her win, she was 17 years old and the youngest American Idol winner. She's tied in that place with season 10 winner Scotty McCreery who was also 17. My personal favorite song of hers is "No Air," and I'm not the only one. The tune is the third highest-selling single by an American Idol contestant. She's gone on stage as Nina Rosario in In The Heights, as well as Sparkle in the movie of the same name as the character. After the release of her album "Right Here Right Now," she didn't create any new music once again until 2020. That's when her fourth and most recent album, "Cider & Hennessy," debuted. In October 2023, she released a new single, "Call My Name," and plans to release a new album in 2024. Stay tuned to her website and Instagram for all the exciting details. Though with Katy Perry leaving the show as judge after season 22, it seems like Sparks is interested in taking her seat. We'd love to see that! In 2017, Sparks married Dana Isaiah and the couple have one son together. She is 34 years old.
Season 7 (2008): David Cook
Like Hicks, American Idol season 7 winner David Cook already had three studio albums released before joining the show. After his victory, his first single was "The Time of My Life," which got a lot of attention. In total, he's released four studio albums and three Extended Plays. The latest one was "The Looking Glass" in 2022. In 2024, he has some upcoming performances scheduled where you can catch him. You can find a list of them on his website, and stay up to date with the singer on Instagram. Cook got married to Racheal Stump in 2015. He is 41 years old.
Season 8 (2009): Kris Allen
Kris Allen's first song after the competition series was "Live Like We're Dying." In the last few years since his win, he's released a total of six studio albums. His latest single is "It's You I Like" came out in 2022. In 2021, he actually toured in Europe with Cook! The singer has a couple of shows scheduled for May 2024, which can be found on his website. Allen has been married to his high school sweetheart, Katy O'Connell, since 2008. The couple has three kids together. He is 38 years old. Give him a follow on Instagram!
Season 9 (2010): Lee DeWyze
Before American Idol, Lee DeWyze had already released two independent albums. However he of course became more known and popular after his win on the singing competition series. His first album following his win was "Live It Up," and the last time a record of his was released was "Ghost Stories" in 2021. DeWyze is 37 years old and married to Jonna Walsh since 2012. He does not have any upcoming tour dates, but you can stay updated through his website and Instagram.
Season 10 (2011): Scotty McCreery
Country singer Scotty McCreery had a great personality that made him stand out during his season. His first album after Idol was "Clear as Day," in 2011 and he's been creating music since. Just like Sparks, he was 17 years old at the time of his victory, making him and Sparks the youngest American Idol winners. He has five studio albums, the most recent one released in 2021. Now 30 years old, the artist married Gabi Dugal in 2018 and they welcomed a son in 2022. You can check out his tour dates on his website, and keep up with what he's up to on Instagram.
Season 11 (2012): Phillip Phillips
Phillip Phillips has kept his music career active, and had some exciting opportunities since winning American Idol. He was able to tour with John Mayer, Gavin DeGraw, the Goo Goo Dolls, and was on stage with Bruce Springsteen. His first album out of the show as "The World from the Side of the Moon" in 2012, and his latest one was released in 2023 - "Drift Back." He married Hannah Blackwell in 2015 and welcomed a baby boy in 2019. He is 33 years old. He has a few shows scheduled on his website and be sure to check him out on Instagram.
Season 12 (2013): Candice Glover
Did you know that Candice Glover auditioned and participated in three seasons of American Idol before finally making it to the live shows, and ultimately winning, in season 12!? She knew not to give up, and we're so glad she didn't. The R&B singer's first album was released in 2014, "Music Sepaks." She has not released any other albums since. Her last single was "Break Me" in 2018. She is 34 years old and married to Jonathan Franklin. Most recently, it seems like she is not touring but is part of the SCAD’s Black Artists in Music concert, according to WTOC 11. Give her a follow on Instagram!
Season 13 (2014): Caleb Johnson
Another contestant who was involved in music before the show is Caleb Johnson. He was a part of the band Elijah Hooker. His debut album was "Testify." Johnson eventually left his record company and formed a new band, Caleb Johnson and the Ramblin' Saints. He's had four singles in 2021 - "Dead Man Walking Blues," "Drift Away," "Hurricane," and "Glory Bound." He is 32 years old. Check out his website and Instagram.
Season 14 (2015): Nick Fradiani
Nick Fradiani is from Guilford, Connecticut, and he was able to get recognition in the area when his band, Beach Avenue, won the Battle of the Bands at Mohegan Sun. Before Idol, he also tried his hand at America's Got Talent but was eliminated. His shot at stardom came with American Idol, and he succeeded! The 38-year-old's latest tunes have been released in 2018, "King and Queen" through the band he's still with and his solo single "Sacred." Currently, he's playing Neil Diamond in the Broadway musical A Beautiful Noise. Get a look at that on his Instagram page!
Season 15 (2016): Trent Harmon
Trent Harmon has only released one album after winning the show, "You Got 'Em All" in 2018. He is married to Kathleen Harmon and the couple welcomed a daughter in October 2023. The 33-year-old isn't super active in music still, but does play shows every once in a while. You can keep track on his Instagram. Season 15 marked the farewell season of the show after Fox decided to cancel the series.
Season 16 (2018): Maddie Poppe
Along with singing, this talented gal plays the guitar, piano, and ukulele. Before Idol, she auditioned on The Voice season 10 but none of the judges turned their chairs for her. The artist also released an album "Songs from the Basement" before taking the Idol stage. Since her win, Poppe, who is 26, released studio album "Whirlwind" and Extended Play "Christmas from Home." Her latest singles are from 2023, "Screw You a Little Bit" and "Good Enough to Let You Go." She seems to be dating Gabe Burdulis. Check her out at one of the stops, found on her website. Poppe's season was the first one that aired on ABC after American Idol was moved to the new network following its cancellation at Fox.
Season 17 (2019): Laine Hardy
Laine Hardy won season 17 and since then he's only released one album in 2021, "Here's to Anyone." In 2022 he was arrested for being accused of bugging an ex-girlfriend's room at her university. Earlier in 2023, the case was resolved pending certain conditions, per Taste of Country. It doesn't seem lie he's working on a new album, though is still involved in music. You can stay up to date with the 23-year-old him on Instagram.
Season 18 (2020): Just Sam (Samantha Diaz)
Just Sam may have been crowned the winner in season 18, but things weren't so easy for them after American Idol. Though they signed with Hollywood Records after the win, they realized they owed the company money for the music recorded. Just Sam didn't have that at the time. Though finally in March 2021, they released the song "Africando." There's also singles "Change," "Safe N Sound," "Pain is Power," and "Question." In 2023, they shared that they had to return to busking in the subway. It's not clear what their situation is at the moment, but Just Sam has been sharing updates on Instagram and the 25-year-old's situation seems to be better.
Season 19 (2021): Chayce Beckham
Chayce Beckham released his one and only studio album (so far at least) in 2022 titled "Doin’ It Right." The former contestant, 28 also released a song in 2023, "Till the Day I Die." He returned to the Idol stage in American Idol 2023 to perform. Be sure to check him out at a bunch of shows he's doing this year on his wwebsite, and stay up to date on Instagram.
Season 20 (2022): Noah Thompson
Since his win in 2022, Noah Thompson shared an Extended Play album with the world that we love! "Middle of God Knows Where" features the singles "One Day Tonight," "Stay," and "Make You Rich." There's no scheduled tour dates this year so far and it doesn't seem like he's working on new music. Though he has been doing some shows based on his Instagram activity. It's not clear if the 21-year-old is still in a relationship with Angel Dixon. The couple has a son.
Season 21 (2023): Iam Tongi
Iam Tongi just won American Idol season 21 in 2023, and his sweetness and heartfelt voice and songs made us and the judges melt. I'm really not surprised that the 19-year-old took home the win! After coming out the victor, he went on tour and has released three singles: "I'll Be Seeing You," "The Winner Takes It All," which is a cover of ABBA's tune, and "Why Kiki?" Be sure to give him a follow on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest American Idol winner!
American Idol 2024 premieres Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024 on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.