List of American Idol winners​ over the years

Last Modified Mar 3, 2025 03:25 EST
List of American Idol winners​ over the years
American Idol (Source: ABC)


Simon Fuller created the American singing competition television show American Idol, which is distributed by Fremantle North America and produced by 19 Entertainment and Fremantle North America. It ran for 15 seasons on Fox between June 11, 2002, and April 7, 2016. The series was put on hold for two years until its relaunch on ABC on March 11, 2018.


The show aims to find recording stars from unsigned singing talents, and American fans vote for the winner via SMS text, Internet platforms, and phones. It began as an addition to the Idol format, which was named after British television's Pop Idol.


List of American Idol winners over the years


Here is the list of all the winners from American Idol since the show’s debut in 2002:


SeasonWinnerRunner up
1Kelly ClarksonJustin Guarini
2Ruben StuddardClay Aiken
3Fantasia BarrinoDiana DeGarmo
4Carrie UnderwoodBo Bice
5Taylor HicksKatharine McPhee
6Jordin SparksBlake Lewis
7David CookDavid Archuleta
8Kris AllenAdam Lambert
9Lee DeWyzeCrystal Bowersox
10Scotty McCreeryLauren Alaina
11Phillip PhillipsJessica Sanchez
12Candice GloverKree Harrison
13Caleb JohnsonJena Irene
14Nick FradianiClark Beckham
15Trent HarmonLa'Porsha Renae
16Maddie PoppeCaleb Lee Hutchinson
17Laine HardyAlejandro Aranda
18Just SamArthur Gunn
19Chayce BeckhamWillie Spence
20Noah ThompsonHunterGirl
21Iam TongiMegan Danielle
22Abi CarterWill Moseley


When is season 23 of American Idol coming out?


The American Idol season 23 will premiere on March 2, 2025 on ABC. The judges for this season will be:


  1. Luke Bryan

  2. Lionel Richie

  3. Carrie Underwood

  4. Kris Pooley


How successful is American Idol?


American Idol is one of the most successful reality competition series since its 2002 debut. It became a well-known launching pad for many musicians' careers as legitimate stars. In its first ten years, according to Billboard, "Idol has spawned 345 Billboard chart-toppers and a platoon of pop idols, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert, and Jordin Sparks while remaining a TV ratings juggernaut."


Its performance presentation or result show was the top-rated television program in the United States for a record eight years in a row, from the 2003–04 season to the 2010–11 season.


FAQs about American Idol

A. Abi Carter won American Idol 2024.

A. American Idol is available to stream on Hulu a day after it airs on ABC. 

A. No, Taylor Swift never appeared on American Idol.

A. The American singer, songwriter, and television personality Kelly Clarkson was the first American Idol winner.

Related Stories

First teaser for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 gives the first glimpse of Kong in the new Apple TV series First teaser for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 gives the first glimpse of Kong in the new Apple TV series
First teaser for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 gives the first glimpse of Kong in the new Apple TV series
1d
“Stayed true to who I am”: As You Stood By star Lee You-mi opens up about handling intense emotions in the Netflix K-drama “Stayed true to who I am”: As You Stood By star Lee You-mi opens up about handling intense emotions in the Netflix K-drama
“Stayed true to who I am”: As You Stood By star Lee You-mi opens up about handling intense emotions in the Netflix K-drama
1d
Month ahead of release official trailer for Fallout Season 2 is finally here Month ahead of release official trailer for Fallout Season 2 is finally here
Month ahead of release official trailer for Fallout Season 2 is finally here 
1d
Shōgun creator talks about what to expect from the upcoming Season 2 Shōgun creator talks about what to expect from the upcoming Season 2
Shōgun creator talks about what to expect from the upcoming Season 2
1d
“Absolutely in process”: Howard Gordon gives update on potential 24 revival “Absolutely in process”: Howard Gordon gives update on potential 24 revival
“Absolutely in process”: Howard Gordon gives update on potential 24 revival
1d
The Real Housewives of Orange County: What is the conflict between alum Tamra and Jenn? The Real Housewives of Orange County: What is the conflict between alum Tamra and Jenn?
The Real Housewives of Orange County: What is the conflict between alum Tamra and Jenn?
13h
Enjoyed watching Marines on Netflix? These 5 Marine Corps shows and movies should be on your watchlist next Enjoyed watching Marines on Netflix? These 5 Marine Corps shows and movies should be on your watchlist next
Enjoyed watching Marines on Netflix? These 5 Marine Corps shows and movies should be on your watchlist next
1d
Dateline: The Trouble in Bardstown - Was Crystal Roggers ever found? Details from the latest true crime episode, revealed Dateline: The Trouble in Bardstown - Was Crystal Roggers ever found? Details from the latest true crime episode, revealed
Dateline: The Trouble in Bardstown - Was Crystal Roggers ever found? Details from the latest true crime episode, revealed 
1d
The Manipulated Episodes 7-8: Release date news, time, streaming details, cast, and more The Manipulated Episodes 7-8: Release date news, time, streaming details, cast, and more
The Manipulated Episodes 7-8: Release date news, time, streaming details, cast, and more
1d
"Had to go through the musical gauntlet": Reacher star Alan Ritchson recalls how American Idol changed his life "Had to go through the musical gauntlet": Reacher star Alan Ritchson recalls how American Idol changed his life
"Had to go through the musical gauntlet": Reacher star Alan Ritchson recalls how American Idol changed his life 
1d