American Idol Winners: Where Are They Now?

The primary champion has been using a wave of success since she snagged the win. She’s launched 9 albums, headlined tons of excursions, shared the stage with well-known musicians and has blossomed into an actress, writer and TV persona with three Grammys and her personal discuss present! She’s additionally gotten married, had two youngsters and gone via a divorce!

“I really feel like I’ve clearly progressed as a human,” mentioned Kelly Clarkson, 42. “On the identical time, although, I do really feel very related and really tied to that 19-year-old that first auditioned.”

The 45-year-old singer has been thriving years after his win. Ruben Studdard has launched seven albums, together with his platinum-selling debut, Soulful. He’s additionally ventured into appearing, showing in a number of common reveals, together with One on One, 8 Easy Guidelines and All of Us.

In 2018, he moved on to Broadway theater in Ruben & Clay’s Christmas Present.

This highly effective vocalist reprised her position as Celie Johnson for the film musical adaptation of The Shade Purple, which grew to become her function movie debut. She labored on two albums and mentioned she is going to at all times be grateful to the present.

“It was the door that opened for me that allowed so many issues, good and dangerous. I needed to undergo so many issues, no person prepares you for the business,” mentioned Fantasia Barrino, 40.

The nation music famous person, 41, launched her ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones, launched her SiriusXM channel, Carrie’s Nation, and prolonged her Las Vegas residency via August. She’s married to ex-NHL participant Mike Fisher and so they share sons Isaiah, 8, and Jacob, 5.

“The place does the time go?” Carrie Underwood requested.

The youngest winner within the sequence’ historical past has had hit albums and competed on The Masked Dancer and Dancing With the Stars.

Jordin Sparks, 34, has additionally been a mentor on American Idol and mirrored, “I couldn’t imagine I used to be again and it was my flip to share what I realized.”

In 2012, she made her function movie debut in Sparkle alongside Whitney Houston.

The 39-year-old singer from Arkansas got here out with the one “Stay Like We’re Dying” in 2009 and offered over 1.7 million copies!

Kris Allen launched his fifth studio album, Letting You In, in 2016, and later toured Europe with Prepare dinner.

Earlier than American Idol, Allen was a missionary working in international locations all around the globe. Since profitable the eighth season, he’s turn out to be concerned with a number of charitable organizations that promote music training. He married his highschool sweetheart, Katy, and so they have younger youngsters collectively.

The 38-year-old with the rough-hewn voice and laid-back attraction already had two albums out when his success on the present catapulted him to fame.

Lee DeWyze now has seven albums and does music for TV reveals like Nashville and Shameless.

“It was at all times about songwriting for me,” he mentioned. “It’s what I beloved. That’s why I did all of that within the first place. It wasn’t for fame or any of that stuff.”

Like Sparks, Scotty McCreery was simply 17 when he received American Idol. He launched his music “5 Extra Minutes” following his victory.

McCreery, 30, saved the momentum going and launched 5 albums, along with his newest titled Similar Truck. He married in 2018 and had his first little one, a son, and mentioned, “Turning into a father is the best factor that’s ever occurred to me and watching my spouse be a rock star as his mother has been the enjoyment of my life.”

The singer and guitarist’s debut music, “House,” is the best-selling music in American Idol historical past, promoting over 5 million copies within the U.S.

Now 33 and a married dad-of-one, Phillip Phillips has launched 4 albums and toured with John Mayer and the Goo Goo Dolls.

He mentioned he was grateful for the present and provided recommendation for future contestants, “Know who you’re as an artist, and don’t be afraid to make that assertion on tv.”

Candice Glover, 34, is the primary winner to have auditioned thrice earlier than being solid for the dwell reveals. She’s an R&B singer now however had an extended climb to turning into a winner after Simon Cowell eradicated her in Season 9 saying she’d be nothing greater than a lounge singer after she forgot the phrases to her music.

She mentioned it was laborious to go from a “contest winner” to being taken significantly in the true world.

“It may be nerve-wracking however I wouldn’t commerce it for something,” insisted Glover.

The 33-year-old is now a rustic singer who works as a full-time songwriter in Nashville. Trent Harmon launched the hit “You Bought ’Em All,” the title monitor for his debut album, in 2018.

“I obtained loads of advantages from doing the present from studying to sing early within the morning and at all times being able to go,” he mentioned.

In 2019, he tied the knot with longtime galpal Kathleen Sofa.

Laine Hardy, 23, carried out his coronation music “Flame” on The View. He additionally sang on the televised 2020 Nationwide Tree Lighting Ceremony and launched his album Right here’s to Anybody.

“After I first tried out, I couldn’t have ever imagined the place I used to be headed,” he recalled. “Since then, I’ve been capable of tour throughout America, play for our troops in Asia, and make new followers in Europe.”

In 2022, he prevented jail for allegedly bugging his ex-girlfriend’s dwelling — however noticed his profession derailed by the scandal.

The most recent American Idol winner is Iam Tongi — and he’s solely 19 years previous! He’s additionally the primary Pacific Islander and first non-country singer in three years to win the present.

He made the judges very emotional throughout his audition, and was a transparent winner from the beginning.

In an interview, Tongi recalled the particular second “after they known as my identify, I used to be simply very excited. It was an incredible expertise.”