05/25/2023
See the whole record of American Idol winners.
Kelly Clarkson sings after successful the American Idol on the Kodak Theatre on Sept. 4, 2002 in Hollywood, California. Kevin Winter/ImageDirect
American Idol simply wrapped its twenty first season, after months of on the lookout for the newest aspiring singer to affix its lengthy historical past of superstars which have gained profitable careers from the competitors because it launched in 2002.
All through the present’s 21-year historical past, viewers have seen singers from all genres and of all ages take the crown–and likewise a mixture of celeb judges serving to the contestants by means of the competitors, beginning with OGs Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul main all the way in which as much as the present panel of Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
On Might 21, Hawaiian excessive schooler Iam Tongi rose above the competitors, beating finalists Megan Danielle and Colin Stough for the Season 21 crown. In the course of the finale, he carried out Keith City’s “Making Reminiscences of Us,” “Cool Down,” bought the tears flowing with a tribute to his personal, late father, “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and teamed-up with James Blunt for a rendition of “Monsters.”
See under for a whole record of American Idol winners.
Season 1
The primary season of American Idol premiered on June 11, 2002, and a 20-year-old Kelly Clarkson stood in entrance of judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson in Dallas, Texas to audition with Etta James’ “At Final” and Madonna’s “Specific Your self.” Season 1’s hosts had been Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman.
Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson
Winner: Kelly Clarkson
Season 2
Seacrest grew to become the lone host of the sequence following Dunkleman’s departure in season 2. The ultimate two contestants had been each male this season, with Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard each competing for the win. Studdard took the title after his successful music, “Flying With out Wings.”
Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson
Winner: Ruben Studdard
Season 3
The third season was received by Fantasia Barrino, who defeated Diana DeGarmo by a small margin of votes. Season 3 additionally launched the world to Jennifer Hudson.
Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson
Winner: Fantasia Barrino
Season 4
Idol‘s fourth season topped Carrie Underwood because the winner, and the then-21-year-old songstress went on to turn into a Grammy-winning nation celebrity. Bo Bice was the runner-up.
Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson
Winner: Carrie Underwood
Season 5
Although Taylor Hicks was named the winner, the fifth season of American Idol gave the music trade quite a lot of different stars, together with Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler and Katharine McPhee (the runner-up).
Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson
Winner: Taylor Hicks
Season 6
Jordin Sparks grew to become the youngest winner of American Idol at age 17.
Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson
Winner: Jordin Sparks
Season 7
Season 7 was recognized for its David vs. David finale, as David Cook dinner and David Archuleta confronted off for the title. Regardless of the result, each contestants went on to launch albums and kick off a profession in music.
Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson
Winner: David Cook dinner
Season 8
This marked the primary season with a brand new choose, because the OG trio welcomed Kara DioGuardi to the panel. In the course of the finale in 2009, Kris Allen received in opposition to Adam Lambert.
Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi
Winner: Kris Allen
Season 9
This was the primary season with out Paula Abdul, and the workforce introduced on Ellen DeGeneres as a visitor choose.
Judges: Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi
Winner: Lee DeWyze
Season 10
Simon Cowell additionally left the sequence this season, marking the primary of many choose adjustments in the course of the course of the present. The countrified finale noticed Scotty McCreery win the title over Lauren Alaina. McCreery was the youngest male winner, at 17 (similar age as Jordin Sparks).
Judges: Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler
Winner: Scotty McCreery
Season 11
This season, Idol introduced on Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as judges, and Jimmy Iovine as an in-house mentor. Phillip Phillips grew to become the winner, beating Jessica Sanchez within the finale.
Judges: Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler
Winner: Phillip Phillips
Season 12
Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith City changed JLo and Tyler as judges this season. Season 12 grew to become the primary to have an all-female high 5, marking the primary feminine winner (Candice Glover) since season six.
Judges: Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith City
Winner: Candice Glover
Season 13
Jackson left the present after 12 seasons, however returned as a mentor to assist the contestants. Caleb Johnson was introduced the winner of the season, with Jena Irene as runner-up.
Judges: Harry Connick Jr., Keith City and Jennifer Lopez
Winner: Caleb Johnson
Season 15
American Idol: The Farewell Season, premiered on Fox on January 6, 2016, marking the ultimate season on the community. Regardless of reviews that the sequence can be ending, ABC introduced that it might revive the present. Trent Harmon received, with La’Porsha Renae because the runner-up.
Judges: Harry Connick Jr., Keith City and Jennifer Lopez
Winner: Trent Harmon
Season 16
The American Idol reboot premiered in March 2018 on ABC. Ryan Seacrest continued his position because the present’s host, with a brand new group of judges together with Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. Maddie Poppe received the season, along with her boyfriend Caleb Lee Hutchinson because the runner-up.
Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan
Winner: Maddie Poppe
Season 17
Laine Hardy received the season with Alejandro Aranda because the runner-up. The 18-year-old Louisiana native didn’t initially plan on auditioning, however was satisfied by the judges when he accompanied a buddy to the audition.
Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan
Winner: Laine Hardy
Season 18
Season 18 was briefly after the High 21 had been revealed, because the COVID-19 pandemic started to unfold. The present resumed manufacturing in late April, with Seacrest, the judges and contestants filming their components nearly, from residence. Simply Sam was topped because the winner, with Arthur Gunn ending because the runner-up.
Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan
Winner: Simply Sam
Season 19
Because the pandemic continued, American Idol season 19 blended digital auditions with socially distanced in particular person efficiency following COVID-19 security protocols. Chayce Beckham received the season, whereas Willie Spence was the runner-up and Grace Kinstler completed in third place.
Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan
Winner: Chayce Beckham
Season 20
20-year-old Kentucky building employee received America’s coronary heart for season 20, beating out runner-up HunterGirl and third place competitor Leah Marlene.
Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan
Winner: Noah Thompson
Season 21
Season 21 wrapped up with three extremely gifted contestants – Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, and Colin Stough – competing for the win. On the finish, it was Hawaiian native Tongi who moved audiences along with his emotional story and heartfelt vocals, and he took residence the trophy.
Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan
Winner: Iam Tongi