Fifteen American Idol winners sang their way into our hearts over the past 14 years. However, we all know that certain winners have remained in the spotlight more than others. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have won numerous awards and have also solidified their places in the music industry.
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Now that American Idol has ended (cue sad music), let’s go back to honor every winner throughout this incredible journey.
WATCH: Backstage with American Idol Winner, Phillip Phillips
1. Kelly Clarkson (2002)
Source: YouTube
Kelly Clarkson is now a super mom (River Rose is a vibrant one-year-old, and Kelly has one more on the way) with 7 incredible albums and 3 Grammys on her shelf.
2. Ruben Studdard (2003)
Source: Fox
Ruben Studdard still wows fans with his smooth vocals. In 2014, he released his sixth album named Unconditional Love. But you may also remember Studdard for another feat. In 2013, he lost a whopping 112 pounds on The Biggest Loser.
2. Fantasia Barrino (2004)
Source: Billboard
Over the past 12 years, Fantasia has recorded music, made an autobiographical Lifetime movie, and debuted on Broadway. This year, Fantasia is expected to release her fifth solo album.
4. Carrie Underwood (2005)
Source: Getty
Say hello to one of Country’s hottest stars. As the most successful American Idol winner ever, Carrie Underwood has scored 6 consecutive number 1 albums on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. She has also won 11 ACMs and 7 Grammys.
5. Taylor Hicks (2006)
Source: Getty
Taylor Hicks headed to the kitchen as co-owner of Saw’s Juke Joint, a BBQ restaurant in Alabama. Between this venture and his continued tour dates, Hicks (39-years-old) has remained one of the highest-paid American Idol winners.
6. Jordin Sparks (2007)
Source: Getty
In 2012, Jordin Sparks landed a leading role in Whitney Houston’s final movie, Sparkle. Out of the 3 albums that Sparks has dropped, her 2009 collab with Chris Brown, “No Air,” remains one of her top hits.
7. David Cook (2008)
Source: Getty
In 2015, David Cook released Digital Vein, an album that represented his independence from his Idol days. Prior to this album, Cook had worked with RCA records on 2 albums. Amazeballs fact: Cook co-wrote David Nail’s awesome song, “Kiss You Tonight.”
8. Kris Allen (2009)
Source: YouTube
Were you shocked when Kris Allen beat Adam Lambert in 2009? Although Allen experienced success with his debut single, “Live Like We’re Dying,” a terrifying car accident rendered him unable to play music in 2013. Fate couldn’t keep Allen down for long, however. In 2014, he released his third album, Horizons.
9. Lee DeWyze (2010)
Source: Aesthetic Magazine
Lee DeWyze’s first album hit number 19 on the Billboard 200. In 2013, DeWyze dropped another album (after splitting from RCA Records) entitled Frames, which showcased his folk roots. Although Frames fell short of his previous success, you may recognize DeWyze’s voice if you watch The Walking Dead. AMC Network featured “Blackbird Song” during season 4 of this undead saga.
10. Scotty McCreery (2011)
Source: Getty
At age 17, Scotty McCreery represented the youngest male winner in Idol history. Just like Carrie Underwood, McCreery earned his place in the Country music genre. He has sold over 2.5 million albums and is expected to release his third album this year.
11. Phillip Phillips (2012)
Source: AP
You may remember Phillip Phillips’ song, “Home,” in various TV shows and events like The Olympics. Phillips released 2 albums with the 19 Recordings label but filed a lawsuit against them in 2015 due to “oppressive” circumstances. However, 2015 brought happiness when Phillips married the love of his life, Hannah Blackwell.
12. Candice Glover (2013)
Source: Rated R&B
After a few delays, Candice Glover’s debut album, Music Speaks, hit stores. It debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200 with only 19,000 copies sold in the first week. Although this was the lowest first-week sales among American Idol winners, Glover carried on with other ventures. She is working on her sophomore album and has released covers of hot singles like Drake’s “Hotline Bling.”
13. Caleb Johnson (2014)
Source: Billboard
Three months after his Idol victory, Caleb Johnson released his first album, Testify. Just like Phillip Phillips, Johnson split from his label (Interscope) over creative differences. “What’s the point of doing it if the [label] isn’t going to do anything?” he told Billboard.
14. Nick Fradiani (2015)
Source: Fox
Nick Fradiani’s debut single, “Beautiful Life,” performed poorly on the charts last year. Wish Fradiani luck; his first album is still in the works.
15. Trent Harmon (2016)
Source: Fox
Last but certainly not least, Trent Harmon showed The Voice just how wrong they were when they dismissed his audition in May 2014. Luckily, Harmon got another chance when he landed in Idol territory. “I really want to put into words what it means to me, and I don’t know yet. I don’t know what I am going to add to the Idol legacy,” Harmon told Yahoo Music’s Reality Rocks. “I want to work hard and do something that’ll be worthwhile.”
Which American Idol winners are your favorites?
