American Idol has launched some of the biggest careers in music — from Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood to Fantasia Barrino and Iam Tongi. Who is the greatest winner in the show's history?
1Kelly ClarksonThe inaugural Season 1 winner who became one of pop's biggest superstars, selling over 25 million albums and hosting an Emmy-winning talk show.1000pts
2Caleb JohnsonThe tattooed heavy-rock Season 13 winner who brought a raw, arena-rock energy that stood out in American Idol history.604pts
3Noah ThompsonKentucky construction worker Noah Thompson was pushed into auditioning by a friend and went on to beat HunterGirl for the Season 20 title in 2022.515pts
4Scotty McCreeryThe baritone country crooner who won Season 10 at 17 and went on to score three No. 1 albums on Billboard's country chart.506pts
5Nick FradianiAlready fronting the Connecticut band Beach Avenue, Nick Fradiani won Season 14 in 2015 and released the coronation single 'Beautiful Life'.506pts
6Ruben StuddardThe 'Velvet Teddy Bear' from Birmingham, Alabama, won Season 2 over Clay Aiken, and his debut album Soulful entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1.506pts
7Abi CarterCalifornia singer Abi Carter won Season 22 in 2024, the first woman in four years and the first platinum ticket holder to take the title.506pts
8Maddie PoppeThe indie-folk quirky songstress who won Season 16 on ABC, charming audiences with her vintage-inspired voice and genuine sweetness.506pts
9Candice GloverThe powerhouse soul vocalist who won Season 12 and was praised by the judges as one of the most naturally gifted voices the show had ever seen.446pts
10Carrie UnderwoodThe Season 4 winner who became the show's most successful contestant, winning eight Grammys and becoming the highest-certified female country artist ever.446pts
11Phillip PhillipsThe Season 11 winner whose bluesy, Dave Matthews-influenced debut single "Home" became one of the show's best-selling winners' songs.446pts
12Trent HarmonMississippi singer Trent Harmon won Season 15 in 2016, the final season of the show's original run on Fox, beating La'Porsha Renae.446pts
13Taylor HicksThe grey-haired Season 5 winner with a soulful blues style whose surprising victory remains one of the show's most memorable moments.378pts
14Fantasia BarrinoThe emotionally powerful Season 3 winner whose debut single became the first American Idol song to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.378pts
15David CookThe rock-focused Season 7 winner who flipped the competition with bold reinterpretations of songs and went on to chart rock success.378pts
16Kris AllenThe Arkansas singer-guitarist won Season 8 in an upset over favorite Adam Lambert, then reached the Hot 100 top 20 with 'Live Like We're Dying'.298pts
17Hannah HarperMissouri stay-at-home mom Hannah Harper won Season 24 in May 2026, the first female country singer to take the title since Carrie Underwood.298pts
18Just SamSamantha Diaz, the Season 18 winner who performed the finale from her apartment during COVID-19 quarantine in a historic first for the show.298pts
19Jordin SparksJordin Sparks took Season 6 at 17, then scored a worldwide hit with 'No Air', her duet with Chris Brown.298pts
20Laine HardyLivingston, Louisiana, singer Laine Hardy was 18 when he won Season 17 in 2019 with a raspy, swampy country-rock style.298pts
21Jamal RobertsMeridian, Mississippi, singer Jamal Roberts won Season 23 in 2025, only the second Black man to win the show after Ruben Studdard.203pts
22Lee DeWyzeThe raspy-voiced indie-folk singer who won Season 9 and carved out a modest but sincere singer-songwriter career.203pts
23Iam TongiSeason 21's Hawaiian winner whose tender performance of his late father's favorite song went viral and made him an immediate sensation.203pts
24Chayce BeckhamApple Valley, California, singer Chayce Beckham won Season 19 in 2021 with his own song '23', which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart three years later.
Photo credits
- Caleb Johnson in concert — procktheboat, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Noah Thompson after winning American Idol Season 20 — Flagswodum, CC BY 4.0
- Nick Fradiani — fuseboxradio, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Ruben Studdard — Jyle Dupuis, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Maddie Poppe in concert — Always Think Positive, CC BY 3.0
- Candice Glover — Manfred Werner - Tsui, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Carrie Underwood in concert — Matthew Wittkopp from Annapolis, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Phillip Phillips in concert — MSC Marketing, CC BY 2.0
- Taylor Hicks — Kristin Dos Santos, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Fantasia Barrino — Jyle Dupuis from Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Jordin Sparks — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Laine Hardy — Citybright01, CC BY 3.0
- Lee DeWyze — Walmart from Bentonville, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Chayce Beckham at the Grand Ole Opry — Chris Hollo / Grand Ole Opry, rights holder
