“American Idol” debuted in 2002 during the reality TV boom and ran for 15 seasons on Fox. It moved to new home ABC in 2018. The show, hosted by Ryan Seacrest since day one, gives unknown singers the chance to win a recording contract. During its two decades on the air, “Idol” has produced many successful superstars including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Phillip Phillips. The current trio of judges are Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Tour our photos below to see the updated list of “American Idol” winners for all seasons.
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Season 1: Kelly Clarkson
Image Credit: Chris Haston/NBC Kelly Clarkson (age 20 on the show) auditioned in Dallas, Texas with Etta James’ “At Last” and Madonna’s “Express Yourself.” Kelly’s winning song was “A Moment Like This.” To this day many fans consider her to be their favorite champ of all time. Since winning the show, she’s taken home three Grammys. In 2012, Kelly was ranked 19th on VH1’s list of 100 Greatest Women in Music and in 2013, Billboard ranked her as the 14th best-selling artist of the 2000s. She joined “The Voice” as a coach in 2018.
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Season 2: Ruben Studdard
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Ruben Studdard (age 24 on the show) is from Birmingham, Alabama and auditioned in Nashville, Tennessee with Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon in the Sky.” Ruben’s winning song was “Flying Without Wings.” He was the first man to win and the first person of color to win. After the show, he took home a Teen Choice Award and was nominated for a Grammy and most recently appeared on “The Biggest Loser.”
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Season 3: Fantasia Barrino
Image Credit: Ray Mickshaw/FOX Fantasia Barrino (age 19 on the show) auditioned in Atlanta, Georgia with Lauryn Hill’s “Killing Me Softly” and Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.” Fantasia’s winning song was “I Believe.” Since winning the show, she starred on Broadway in “The Color Purple” and also won a Grammy in 2010.
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Season 4: Carrie Underwood
Image Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless Carrie Underwood (age 21 on the show) auditioned in St. Louis, Missouri with Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Carrie’s winning song was “Inside Your Heaven.” She was the first country singer to earn the title. Since winning the show, Carrie has taken home more than 100 awards including six Grammys and virtually every country music award possible; she was also nominated for a Golden Globe.
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Season 5: Taylor Hicks
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Taylor Hicks (age 29 on the show) is from Birmingham, Alabama and performed “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke at his original audition in Las Vegas. Taylor’s winning song was “Do I Make You Proud.” He is one of the few winners in “American Idol” history to never be in the bottom three. Since winning the show, Taylor starred in “Grease” on Broadway.
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Season 6: Jordin Sparks
Image Credit: Frank Micelotta/Fox Jordin Sparks (age 17 on the show) is from Glendale, Arizona and auditioned in Seattle, WA. With her victory, Jordin became the youngest winner to date. Jordin’s winning song was “This is My Now.” After “American Idol,” she was nominated for a Grammy and won a Teen Choice Award, NAACP Image Award, BET Award, American Music Award and a People’s Choice Award.
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Season 7: David Cook
Image Credit: Ray Mickshaw/FOX David Cook (age 25 on the show) is a native of Blue Springs, Missouri who auditioned in Omaha, Nebraska with Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer.” He was never in the bottom three even once. David’s winning song was “The Time of My Life.” Since winning the show, his self-titled first album was certified platinum and he won a Teen Choice Award.
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Season 8: Kris Allen
Image Credit: Ray Mickshaw/FOX Kris Allen (age 23 on the show) is from Conway, Arkansas and auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky with Leon Russell’s “A Song For You.” Kris’ winning song was “No Boundaries,” written by “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi. He’s since released two albums and was nominated for a Teen Choice Award and People’s Choice Award.
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Season 9: Lee DeWyze
Image Credit: PictureGroup Lee DeWyze (age 23 on the show) is from Mount Prospect, Illinois and auditioned in Chicago, Illinois with Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Lee’s winning song was “Beautiful Day.” Since winning the show, Lee released two albums and won a Teen Choice Award.
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Season 10: Scotty McCreery
Image Credit: Michael Becker/FOX Scotty McCreery (age 17 on the show) auditioned in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Josh Turner’s “Your Man” and Travis Tritt’s “Put Some Drive In Your Country.” Scotty’s winning song was “I Love You This Big.” He was the first “Idol” winner born in the 1990s. Since winning the show, he’s taken home trophies at the American Country Awards, ACM Awards and CMT Music Awards.
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Season 11: Phillip Phillips
Image Credit: Michael Becker / FOX Phillip Phillips (age 21 on the show) auditioned in North Charleston, singing “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” with the guitar. Phillip’s winning song was “Home” and it became a great success, going quadruple platinum. He was the last of five consecutive guitar-playing guys to win in a row. Since winning the show, he was nominated for two Teen Choice Awards and several other industry kudos.
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Season 12: Candice Glover
Image Credit: Michael Becker/ FOX Candice Glover (age 23 on the show) auditioned in Charlotte, singing “Syrup & Honey.” She previously auditioned in the ninth and 11th seasons, making her the first contestant to win on her third try. Candice’s winning song was “I Am Beautiful.” After finally winning “Idol,” she released her debut album “Music Speaks.”
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Season 13: Caleb Johnson
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fox Caleb Johnson (age 23 on the show) auditioned with his original song “Into the Void.” He previously tried out in the 10th and 11th seasons, making him the second contestant to win on his third try, after Candice Glover in Season 12. Caleb’s winning song was “As Long as You Love Me.”
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Season 14: Nick Fradiani
Image Credit: Michael Becker/ FOX Nick Fradiani (age 29 on the show) auditioned with the song “In Your Eyes.” He previously tried out for “America’s Got Talent” with his band Beach Avenue, only making it to Judgment Week. Nick’s winning song was “Beautiful Life.”
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Season 15: Trent Harmon
Image Credit: Michael Becker/ FO Trent Harmon (age 25 on the show) auditioned with the song “Unaware” by Allen Stone and his winning song was “Falling.” Despite a controversial win over La’Porsha Renae, he was at the time known as the show’s final winner of all time and a bookend to original champ Kelly Clarkson … at least until ABC picked up the series two years later for another run of episodes.
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Season 16: Maddie Poppe
Image Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless Maddie Poppe (age 20 on the show) auditioned with the Kermit the Frog song “The Rainbow Connection.” In the May 21, 2018 season finale, Maddie got to reprise the song with Kermit himself. The Season 16 runner-up was Caleb Lee Hutchinson, who was Maddie’s boyfriend at the time.
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Season 17: Laine Hardy
Image Credit: ABC/Josh Vertucci Laine Hardy (age 18 on the show) didn’t plan on auditioning this year after being cut in Hawaii the previous season, but the judges forced him to after he accompanied a friend to her audition. In the May 19, 2019 season finale, Laine won Season 17 over runner-up Alejandro Aranda. Laine is now the third “Idol” winner who previously competed, following Candice Glover and Caleb Johnson. His winning song was “Flame.”
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Season 18: Just Sam
Image Credit: ABC Samantha Diaz (age 21 on the show) sparkled from the moment she auditioned in front of judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. In the May 17, 2020 season finale, Just Sam won Season 18 over runner-up Arthur Gunn. Her winning song was “Rise Up,” which she sang from home since the live shows had to go remote due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Season 19: Chayce Beckham
Image Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless Chayce Beckham (age 24 on the show), a forklift driver from Apple Valley, California, earned the title during the Season 19 finale on May 23, 2021. The runner-up was Willie Spence. Chayce’s winning song was “23,” an original tune that had already climbed the iTunes country charts by the time he claimed victory.
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Season 20: Noah Thompson
Image Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless Noah Thompson (age 22 on the show), a construction worker from Louisa, Kentucky, prevailed during the Season 20 finale on May 22, 2022. The runner-up was HunterGirl. Noah’s winning song was “One Day Tonight,” and some of his other tunes on the show included “Stay,” “I’m on Fire,” “So Small,” “Working Man,” “Painted Blue,” “Landslide,” “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” “Heartbreak Warfare,” “Stand by Me,” “Cover Me Up,” “Falling” and “Blue Side of the Mountain.”
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Season 21: Iam Tongi
Image Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless Iam Tongi (age 18 on the show) is from Kahuku, Hawaii and triumphed during the Season 21 finale on May 21, 2023. The runner-up was Megan Danielle. Iam’s winning song was “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and some of his other tunes on the show included “The Sound of Silence,” “Don’t Let Go,” “The Winner Takes It All,” “Stuck on You,” “Bring It On Home to Me,” “What a Wonderful World,” “Guardian,” “Lava,” “Father and Son,” “Making Memories of Us” and “Cool Down.”
