Who is the best American Idol winner of all time?

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?

Kelly Clarkson

The inaugural Season 1 winner who became one of pop's biggest superstars, selling over 25 million albums and hosting an Emmy-winning talk show.

1/13

Fantasia Barrino

The emotionally powerful Season 3 winner whose debut single became the first American Idol song to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

2/13

Carrie Underwood

The Season 4 winner who became the show's most successful contestant, winning eight Grammys and becoming the highest-certified female country artist ever.

3/13

Taylor Hicks

The grey-haired Season 5 winner with a soulful blues style whose surprising victory remains one of the show's most memorable moments.

4/13

David Cook

The rock-focused Season 7 winner who flipped the competition with bold reinterpretations of songs and went on to chart rock success.

5/13

Lee DeWyze

The raspy-voiced indie-folk singer who won Season 9 and carved out a modest but sincere singer-songwriter career.

6/13

Scotty McCreery

The baritone country crooner who won Season 10 at 17 and went on to score three No. 1 albums on Billboard's country chart.

7/13

Phillip Phillips

The Season 11 winner whose bluesy, Dave Matthews-influenced debut single "Home" became one of the show's best-selling winners' songs.

8/13

Candice Glover

The 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.

9/13

Caleb Johnson

The tattooed heavy-rock Season 13 winner who brought a raw, arena-rock energy that stood out in American Idol history.

10/13

Maddie Poppe

The indie-folk quirky songstress who won Season 16 on ABC, charming audiences with her vintage-inspired voice and genuine sweetness.

11/13

Just Sam

Samantha Diaz, the Season 18 winner who performed the finale from her apartment during COVID-19 quarantine in a historic first for the show.

12/13

Iam Tongi

Season 21's Hawaiian winner whose tender performance of his late father's favorite song went viral and made him an immediate sensation.

13/13