# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published May 1, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-american-idol-winner-of-all-time*

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## Current results (0 votes)

1. **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.
2. **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.
3. **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.
4. **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.
5. **David Cook**
   The rock-focused Season 7 winner who flipped the competition with bold reinterpretations of songs and went on to chart rock success.
6. **Lee DeWyze**
   The raspy-voiced indie-folk singer who won Season 9 and carved out a modest but sincere singer-songwriter career.
7. **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.
8. **Phillip Phillips**
   The Season 11 winner whose bluesy, Dave Matthews-influenced debut single "Home" became one of the show's best-selling winners' songs.
9. **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.
10. **Caleb Johnson**
   The tattooed heavy-rock Season 13 winner who brought a raw, arena-rock energy that stood out in American Idol history.
11. **Maddie Poppe**
   The indie-folk quirky songstress who won Season 16 on ABC, charming audiences with her vintage-inspired voice and genuine sweetness.
12. **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.
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.

Tags: pop, music, usa, tv shows