Man, it’s been a minute since Kelly Clarkson stood on that stage in 2002, sobbing through "A Moment Like This" while confetti rained down. Back then, nobody knew if a singing competition could actually create a superstar. Fast forward more than two decades, and the list of all the winners of American Idol has grown into a strange, wonderful, and sometimes confusing timeline of pop culture history.
Honestly, looking back at the full roster is like opening a time capsule. You've got the global icons who basically own the industry now, but you also have the names that make you go, "Oh yeah, I totally forgot about them." Whether you've watched every single season or you stopped tuning in when Simon Cowell left, the journey from Season 1 to the most recent crowning of Jamal Roberts in 2025 is pretty wild.
The OG Legends and the Fox Era
The early years were basically the Wild West of reality TV. We were all obsessed.
Kelly Clarkson (Season 1) didn't just win; she set the blueprint. If she had flopped, the show probably would have died in 2003. Instead, she’s got three Grammys and a daytime talk show empire. Then came Ruben Studdard (Season 2), the "Velvet Teddy Bear," who beat out Clay Aiken in one of the closest votes ever.
Fantasia Barrino (Season 3) brought a raw, soulful energy that we hadn't seen yet. People still talk about her performance of "Summertime." She’s recently been back in the spotlight in a huge way with The Color Purple movie, showing that an Idol win is just the beginning if you've got the grit.
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Then, of course, there’s Carrie Underwood (Season 4).
She is arguably the most successful person to ever step foot on that stage. 85 million records sold. Eight Grammys. She’s the queen of country music, and it all started because she was a shy girl from Oklahoma who decided to audition.
The mid-2000s were a bit of a blur of "Soul Patrol" with Taylor Hicks (Season 5) and the youngest winner ever, Jordin Sparks (Season 6). Jordin was only 17 when she won, which is kind of mind-blowing when you think about the pressure. David Cook (Season 7) brought the "rocker with a heart of gold" vibe, and Kris Allen (Season 8) famously pulled off the "upset of the century" against Adam Lambert.
The Waning Years of the Fox Run
As the 2010s hit, the show started to feel a little different. We had:
- Lee DeWyze (Season 9): A folk-rocker who beat Crystal Bowersox.
- Scotty McCreery (Season 10): The deep-voiced country kid who is still a staple on country radio today.
- Phillip Phillips (Season 11): His coronation song "Home" is actually the best-selling song in Idol history.
- Candice Glover (Season 12): Finally, another powerhouse female winner after a long "White Guy with Guitar" streak.
- Caleb Johnson (Season 13): Bringing theatrical rock back to the stage.
- Nick Fradiani (Season 14): A pop-rocker who has recently been crushing it on Broadway as Neil Diamond.
- Trent Harmon (Season 15): The "Farewell Season" winner—or so we thought.
The ABC Revival and a New Generation
When the show moved to ABC in 2018, everything shifted. The judges (Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan) were nicer, and the production felt glossier.
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Maddie Poppe (Season 16) won the first ABC season, and she’s carved out a really cool indie-folk niche for herself. Then we had Laine Hardy (Season 17) and Just Sam (Season 18), who won during the peak of the pandemic while sitting in her house—probably the most surreal finale in the history of the show.
Chayce Beckham (Season 19) was a massive win for the show’s "authenticity" era. His song "23" actually went to Number 1 on the country charts, proving that the show still has the "Kingmaker" power. Noah Thompson (Season 20), the construction worker from Kentucky, and Iam Tongi (Season 21), whose audition video went viral globally, kept the momentum going.
Recent Champions: Abi Carter and Jamal Roberts
In 2024, Abi Carter (Season 22) took the title. She was a fan favorite from day one, especially after her Billie Eilish cover in the auditions. She brought a certain "indie-pop" credibility back to the winners' circle.
Most recently, on May 18, 2025, Jamal Roberts (Season 23) was crowned the newest American Idol. Jamal is a 27-year-old gym teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, and his win was historic. He’s the first Black man to win since Ruben Studdard back in 2003. Talk about a full-circle moment for the show. His debut single "Heal" has already been making waves on the Gospel and R&B charts, and he’s even set to sing the National Anthem at the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship.
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Why the List of All the Winners of American Idol Still Matters
People love to say that "American Idol is over" or "nobody watches TV anymore." But if you look at the numbers, the Season 23 finale pulled in over 6.5 million viewers. That’s actually a jump from the year before.
There is something about the "Cinderella story" that we just can't quit. We like seeing the underdog from a small town become a household name. Sure, not every winner becomes Kelly Clarkson. Some go back to their regular lives, and some find success on Broadway or in smaller niche genres. But that’s the reality of the music business—it’s tough.
The list of all the winners of American Idol is a map of what America was listening to at any given time. From the bubblegum pop of the early 2000s to the country-heavy 2010s and the diverse, genre-blending talent of the 2020s, the show has always been a mirror.
Summary Checklist of All Winners
- Kelly Clarkson (2002)
- Ruben Studdard (2003)
- Fantasia Barrino (2004)
- Carrie Underwood (2005)
- Taylor Hicks (2006)
- Jordin Sparks (2007)
- David Cook (2008)
- Kris Allen (2009)
- Lee DeWyze (2010)
- Scotty McCreery (2011)
- Phillip Phillips (2012)
- Candice Glover (2013)
- Caleb Johnson (2014)
- Nick Fradiani (2015)
- Trent Harmon (2016)
- Maddie Poppe (2018)
- Laine Hardy (2019)
- Just Sam (2020)
- Chayce Beckham (2021)
- Noah Thompson (2022)
- Iam Tongi (2023)
- Abi Carter (2024)
- Jamal Roberts (2025)
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of American Idol, the best thing you can do is check out the latest work from the recent winners. Jamal Roberts’ debut single "Heal" is a great place to start if you want to see where the show is heading in 2026. You should also keep an eye out for the Season 24 auditions, which usually start trickling out clips in late summer. Supporting these artists on streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music is the most direct way to ensure the "Idol" legacy continues to produce actual stars rather than just TV moments.