Note (September 2026): Earlier versions of this list gave the wrong winning ages for Ruben Studdard (24, not 25) and Trent Harmon (25, not 26) and referred to season 13 winner Caleb Johnson as “she”; these errors and several misspelled names and places have been corrected.
American Idol has crowned 24 winners since 2002. Kelly Clarkson won the first season on Fox, and Hannah Harper, a singer-songwriter and mother of three from Willow Springs, Missouri, won the most recent, season 24 on ABC, on May 11, 2026, ahead of runner-up Jordan McCullough. No season aired in 2017.
Key Takeaways
- American Idol has produced 24 winners across 24 seasons, from Kelly Clarkson (season 1, 2002) to Hannah Harper (season 24, 2026).
- Fox aired seasons 1 to 15 (2002 to 2016); ABC has aired every season since the revival in 2018, so no season aired in 2017.
- Jordin Sparks, who won season 6 in 2007 at age 17, is the youngest winner in the show’s history.
- As of September 2026 the show is hosted by Ryan Seacrest and judged by Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood, herself the season 4 winner.
- The winner is chosen by viewer votes during the live shows, not by the judges.
American Idol is one of the most popular American singing reality shows. The reality television series premiered on Fox on June 11, 2002, and twenty-four seasons had been broadcast as of September 2026. American Idol has served as a platform for several budding singers and helped them build a career in the entertainment industry.
The Complete List of American Idol Winners (All 24 Seasons)
Here is a look at the list of American idol winners of all seasons.
Quick answer: Hannah Harper won the most recent series of American Idol, taking the season 24 title in the finale on 11 May 2026 ahead of runner-up Jordan McCullough. Twenty-four singers have won the show since Kelly Clarkson in 2002. Note that no season aired in 2017, which is why the season numbers and the years stop lining up after season 15.
| Season | Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002 | Kelly Clarkson | Justin Guarini | Fox |
| 2 | 2003 | Ruben Studdard | Clay Aiken | Fox |
| 3 | 2004 | Fantasia Barrino | Diana DeGarmo | Fox |
| 4 | 2005 | Carrie Underwood | Bo Bice | Fox |
| 5 | 2006 | Taylor Hicks | Katharine McPhee | Fox |
| 6 | 2007 | Jordin Sparks | Blake Lewis | Fox |
| 7 | 2008 | David Cook | David Archuleta | Fox |
| 8 | 2009 | Kris Allen | Adam Lambert | Fox |
| 9 | 2010 | Lee DeWyze | Crystal Bowersox | Fox |
| 10 | 2011 | Scotty McCreery | Lauren Alaina | Fox |
| 11 | 2012 | Phillip Phillips | Jessica Sanchez | Fox |
| 12 | 2013 | Candice Glover | Kree Harrison | Fox |
| 13 | 2014 | Caleb Johnson | Jena Irene | Fox |
| 14 | 2015 | Nick Fradiani | Clark Beckham | Fox |
| 15 | 2016 | Trent Harmon | La’Porsha Renae | Fox |
| 16 | 2018 | Maddie Poppe | Caleb Lee Hutchinson | ABC |
| 17 | 2019 | Laine Hardy | Alejandro Aranda | ABC |
| 18 | 2020 | Just Sam | Arthur Gunn | ABC |
| 19 | 2021 | Chayce Beckham | Willie Spence | ABC |
| 20 | 2022 | Noah Thompson | HunterGirl | ABC |
| 21 | 2023 | Iam Tongi | Megan Danielle | ABC |
| 22 | 2024 | Abi Carter | Will Moseley | ABC |
| 23 | 2025 | Jamal Roberts | John Foster | ABC |
| 24 | 2026 | Hannah Harper | Jordan McCullough | ABC |
American Idol Season 1 Winner (2002) – Kelly Clarkson
The young and talented, Kelly Clarkson from Burleson, Texas won the first season of the show. She was all of 20 at that time. Justin Guarini from Doylestown, Pennsylvania was the runner-up. Nikki McKibbin from Grand Prairie, Texas secured the third position.
American Idol Season 2 Winner (2003) – Ruben Studdard
A stud indeed, Ruben Studdard from Birmingham, Alabama, proudly took home the American Idol Season 2 trophy. He was 24 years old back then. Clay Aiken from Raleigh, North Carolina was the runner-up of the season. Kimberley Locke from Nashville, Tennessee stood third.
American Idol Season 3 Winner (2004) – Fantasia Barrino
Blessed with a melodious voice, Fantasia Barrino from High Point, North Carolina won the hearts of the judges and the audience alike. She was declared the winner of the third season. She was 19 years old back in 2004. Diana DeGarmo from Snellville, Georgia became the runner-up and Jasmine Trias from Mililani, Hawaii secured the third position.
American Idol Season 4 Winner (2005) – Carrie Underwood
Twenty one year old, Carrie Underwood from Checotah, Oklahoma, won the fourth season of American Idol. Bo Bice from Helena, Alabama was the runner up of the season. Vonzell Solomon from Fort Myers, Florida stood third.
American Idol Season 5 Winner (2006) – Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks from Birmingham, Alabama was declared the winner of the fifth season of American Idol. He was twenty nine years old. Katharine McPhee from Los Angeles, California became the runner up and Elliott Yamin from Richmond, Virginia secured the third position.
American Idol Season 6 Winner (2007) – Jordin Sparks
17 year old, Jordin Sparks from Glendale, Arizona won the title this time. Blake Lewis from Bothell, Washington was the runner up. Melinda Doolittle from Brentwood, Tennessee secured the third position.
American Idol Season 7 Winner (2008) – David Cook
David Cook from Blue Springs, Missouri won the seventh season of American Idol. He was 25 years old at that time. David Archuleta from Murray, Utah became the runner up and Syesha Mercado from Sarasota, Florida secured the third position.
American Idol Season 8 Winner (2009) – Kris Allen
Twenty-three-year-old Kris Allen from Conway, Arkansas took home the American Idol Season 8 trophy. Adam Lambert from San Diego, California became the runner up and Danny Gokey from Milwaukee, Wisconsin came third.
American Idol Season 9 Winner (2010) – Lee DeWyze
Lee DeWyze from Mount Prospect, Illinois enthralled everyone with his melodious voice and won the trophy this time round. He was 23 years old in 2010. Crystal Bowersox from Elliston, Ohio became the runner-up of the season and Casey James from Fort Worth, Texas secured the third position.
American Idol Season 10 Winner (2011) – Scotty McCreery
17 year old, Scotty McCreery from Garner, North Carolina became the winner of the show in 2011. Lauren Alaina from Rossville, Georgia became the runner up of the season. Haley Reinhart from Wheeling, Illinois secured the third position.
American Idol Season 11 Winner (2012) – Phillip Phillips
21 years old, Phillip Phillips from Leesburg, Georgia was declared the winner of 11th season of American Idol. Jessica Sanchez from San Diego, California became the runner up of the season. Joshua Ledet from Westlake, Louisiana secured the third position.
American Idol Season 12 Winner (2013) – Candice Glover
The super talented singer, Candice Glover from St. Helena Island, South Carolina became the winner of this season. She was 23 years old in 2013. Kree Harrison from Woodville, Texas was the runner up and Angie Miller from Beverly, Massachusetts stood third.
American Idol Season 13 Winner (2014) – Caleb Johnson
Rock singer Caleb Johnson from Asheville, North Carolina became the winner of this season on May 21, 2014. He was 23 years old at that time. Jena Irene from Farmington Hills, Michigan was the runner-up and Alex Preston from Mont Vernon, New Hampshire secured the third position.
American Idol Season 14 Winner (2015) – Nick Fradiani
Nick Fradiani from Guilford, Connecticut became the talk of the town as he won the American Idol Season 14 title. Clark Beckham from White House, Tennessee became the runner up and Jax from East Brunswick, New Jersey secured the third position.
American Idol Season 15 Winner (2016) – Trent Harmon
Trent Harmon, 25, from Amory, Mississippi became the winner this time, in the Fox series finale on April 7, 2016. La’Porsha Renae from McComb, Mississippi became the runner up and Dalton Rapattoni stood third.
American Idol Season 16 Winner (2018) – Maddie Poppe
The beautiful Maddie Poppe from Clarksville, Iowa was declared the winner of this season. She was 20 years old at that time. Caleb Lee Hutchinson from Dallas, Georgia became the runner up and Gabby Barrett secured the third position.
American Idol Season 17 Winner (2019) – Laine Hardy
18 years old, Laine Hardy from Livingston, Louisiana became the winner of this season. Alejandro Aranda from Pomona, California became the runner-up and Madison VanDenburg from Cohoes, New York secured the third position.
American Idol Season 18 Winner (2020) – Just Sam
Just Sam, born Samantha Diaz, emerged as the winner of American Idol Season 18 in May 2020. Hailing from Harlem, New York, they captivated audiences with heartfelt performances, notably “Rise Up” by Andra Day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season’s finale was conducted virtually, making Just Sam the first winner crowned remotely.
American Idol Season 19 Winner (2021) – Chayce Beckham
Chayce Beckham won American Idol Season 19 on May 23, 2021. Hailing from Apple Valley, California, Chayce was a heavy machinery operator before his rise to fame. His heartfelt performances and raspy country voice resonated with audiences, leading him to victory over runner-up Willie Spence. Notably, Chayce performed his original song “23” during the competition, which soared to No. 1 on iTunes and became his debut single. This achievement marked him as the first Idol winner to top the charts with an original song during the show.
American Idol Season 20 Winner (2022) – Noah Thompson
Noah Thompson won American Idol Season 20 on May 22, 2022, captivating America with his heartfelt country vocals and humble charm. At just 20 years old, the construction worker from Louisa, Kentucky, triumphed over finalists HunterGirl and Leah Marlene, earning the title with his emotional performance of the original song “One Day Tonight.”
American Idol Season 21 Winner (2023) – Iam Tongi
Iam Tongi won American Idol Season 21 on May 21, 2023, becoming the first Pacific Islander and the first contestant from Hawaii to claim the title. At just 18 years old, his emotional performances and soulful voice captivated both the judges and viewers across the nation.
American Idol Season 22 Winner (2024) – Abi Carter
Abi Carter won American Idol Season 22 on May 19, 2024, becoming the first female winner in four years. Hailing from Indio, California, the 21-year-old singer captivated audiences with her emotional performances, including her original song “This Isn’t Over” and a heartfelt rendition of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”
From the moment she auditioned, Abi’s talent shone brightly. Her unique voice and genuine connection to the music resonated with both judges and fans alike. Throughout the competition, she consistently delivered powerful performances, earning praise from judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.
American Idol Season 23 Winner (2025) – Jamal Roberts
Jamal Roberts, a physical education teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, won season 23 in the finale on May 18, 2025, finishing ahead of runner-up John Foster, with Breanna Nix third. His run through the live shows leaned on soul and gospel material. Season 23 was also the first judged by Carrie Underwood, who had won season 4 in 2005 and returned to the show as a judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
American Idol Season 24 Winner (2026) – Hannah Harper
Hannah Harper won season 24 in the finale on 11 May 2026. A mother of three from Willow Springs, Missouri, she had drawn attention at her audition with an original song called String Cheese, written about postpartum depression and motherhood.
Jordan McCullough finished as runner-up and Keyla Richardson came third.
American Idol Winners: Facts and Records
- There was no season in 2017. Fox cancelled the show after season 15 in 2016 and ABC revived it in 2018, so the season numbers and the calendar years stop matching from season 16 onwards.
- Two networks: Fox aired seasons 1 to 15 between 2002 and 2016. ABC has aired every season since, starting with season 16 in 2018.
- The first winner is still the biggest name: Kelly Clarkson won the opening season in 2002 and went on to the most commercially successful career of any Idol champion.
- Losing has worked out too: Jennifer Hudson finished seventh in season 3 and later won an Academy Award and a Grammy. Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert and Katharine McPhee all lost finals and built substantial careers afterwards.
- A runner-up who won somewhere else: Jessica Sanchez was runner-up to Phillip Phillips in season 11 in 2012, and went on to win America’s Got Talent in 2025.
- A season made at a distance: season 18 in 2020 was completed remotely during the coronavirus pandemic, with contestants performing from home. Just Sam won it.
- A winner who came back as a judge: Carrie Underwood won season 4 in 2005 and joined the judging panel in 2025 for season 23, replacing Katy Perry alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who have judged since the ABC revival in 2018.
- Country music has done well out of it: Carrie Underwood won season 4 in 2005 and Scotty McCreery season 10 in 2011, and both built long careers in Nashville.
American Idol Winners by Hometown and Third Place
The table below lists every American Idol winner with the winner’s hometown and the singer who finished third, according to the show’s official results as recorded in Wikipedia’s American Idol finalist lists (checked September 2026).
| Season | Winner | Winner’s hometown | Third place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelly Clarkson | Burleson, Texas | Nikki McKibbin |
| 2 | Ruben Studdard | Birmingham, Alabama | Kimberley Locke |
| 3 | Fantasia Barrino | High Point, North Carolina | Jasmine Trias |
| 4 | Carrie Underwood | Checotah, Oklahoma | Vonzell Solomon |
| 5 | Taylor Hicks | Birmingham, Alabama | Elliott Yamin |
| 6 | Jordin Sparks | Glendale, Arizona | Melinda Doolittle |
| 7 | David Cook | Blue Springs, Missouri | Syesha Mercado |
| 8 | Kris Allen | Conway, Arkansas | Danny Gokey |
| 9 | Lee DeWyze | Mount Prospect, Illinois | Casey James |
| 10 | Scotty McCreery | Garner, North Carolina | Haley Reinhart |
| 11 | Phillip Phillips | Leesburg, Georgia | Joshua Ledet |
| 12 | Candice Glover | St. Helena Island, South Carolina | Angie Miller |
| 13 | Caleb Johnson | Asheville, North Carolina | Alex Preston |
| 14 | Nick Fradiani | Guilford, Connecticut | Jax |
| 15 | Trent Harmon | Amory, Mississippi | Dalton Rapattoni |
| 16 | Maddie Poppe | Clarksville, Iowa | Gabby Barrett |
| 17 | Laine Hardy | Livingston, Louisiana | Madison VanDenburg |
| 18 | Just Sam | Harlem, New York | Jonny West |
| 19 | Chayce Beckham | Apple Valley, California | Grace Kinstler |
| 20 | Noah Thompson | Louisa, Kentucky | Leah Marlene |
| 21 | Iam Tongi | Hawaii | Colin Stough |
| 22 | Abi Carter | Indio, California | Jack Blocker |
| 23 | Jamal Roberts | Meridian, Mississippi | Breanna Nix |
| 24 | Hannah Harper | Willow Springs, Missouri | Keyla Richardson |
How Is the American Idol Winner Chosen?
The American Idol winner is chosen by public vote. The judges decide who advances through the early rounds, but once the competition reaches the live shows, viewers’ votes decide who stays and who wins the finale.
A typical American Idol season moves through four stages:
- Auditions: singers perform for the judges, who hand out tickets to the next round.
- Hollywood Week: group and solo rounds cut the field down further.
- Semifinals: the remaining singers perform and the public begins voting.
- Live finals: weekly primetime shows end in a finale where the singer with the most votes is crowned.
American Idol has changed its eligibility rules over time. According to Wikipedia’s summary of the show’s history, the age limit was 16 to 24 in the first three seasons, the upper limit rose to 28 in season 4, and the lower limit dropped to 15 in season 10.
What changed in season 24?
Season 24 in 2026 reworked the format. In-person auditions were held at a single venue, Belmont University in Nashville, instead of touring several cities; Hollywood Week also moved to Nashville under the name “Music City Takeover”; and voting through the mobile app was dropped in favor of voting by website, social media and text message.
American Idol Judges and Hosts
American Idol has had a long line of judges but only one constant host. Ryan Seacrest has hosted every season; he co-hosted season 1 with Brian Dunkleman and has hosted alone since.
- Original judges (Fox era): Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
- Judges since the ABC revival: Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie have judged every ABC season since 2018. Katy Perry sat on the panel from 2018 to 2024.
- Current panel, as of September 2026: Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood, who replaced Katy Perry for season 23 in 2025 and returned for season 24.
American Idol Records and Firsts
- Most-watched finale: the season 2 finale in May 2003, when Ruben Studdard beat Clay Aiken, is the highest-rated American Idol episode, drawing 38.1 million viewers for its final hour.
- A narrow margin: Ruben Studdard won that season 2 finale by about 134,000 votes out of roughly 24 million cast.
- Youngest winner: Jordin Sparks was 17 when she won season 6 on May 23, 2007, and remains the youngest winner in the show’s history.
- First winner crowned remotely: Just Sam won season 18 in 2020 in a finale produced from contestants’ homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- An original song at No. 1: Chayce Beckham’s original “23” reached No. 1 on the iTunes chart after he performed it on the show in season 19.
- A viral gospel hit: season 23 winner Jamal Roberts’ performance of Tom Odell’s “Heal” later reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart.
Where Did American Idol Come From?
American Idol is the American version of the British show Pop Idol, created by Simon Fuller. The American series premiered on Fox on June 11, 2002, ran for 15 seasons until April 7, 2016, and was revived by ABC, which acquired the rights in May 2017 and brought the show back in 2018.
Readers who follow singing competitions in other countries can compare this list with the complete list of UK X Factor winners, the Indian Idol winners by season and the Britain’s Got Talent winners list. For other long-running American reality competitions, see the Big Brother US winners list, and for the commercial side of pop stardom, the world’s richest singers.
What Comes Next for American Idol?
As of September 2026, the most recent completed season is season 24, which ended on May 11, 2026. Details of any 25th season, including premiere dates, judges and audition dates, should be checked with ABC’s official American Idol channels, as schedules are announced by the network. This list will be updated when the next winner is crowned.
American Idol Winners: Frequently Asked Questions
Who won American Idol in 2026?
Hannah Harper won season 24 of American Idol in the finale on 11 May 2026. A mother of three from Willow Springs, Missouri, she finished ahead of runner-up Jordan McCullough, with Keyla Richardson third.
Who has won American Idol?
Twenty-four singers have won the show, from Kelly Clarkson in 2002 through to Hannah Harper in 2026. The full list of winners, runners-up and networks for every season is in the table above.
Why was there no American Idol in 2017?
Fox cancelled the show after season 15 finished in 2016, and ABC revived it two years later with season 16 in 2018. No season aired in 2017, which is why the season numbers run one behind the years from that point.
Which channel is American Idol on?
ABC, and it has been since the show returned in 2018. The first fifteen seasons, from 2002 to 2016, were broadcast on Fox.
Who won American Idol in 2025?
Jamal Roberts won season 23 in May 2025. A physical education teacher from Mississippi, he finished ahead of runner-up John Foster.
Which American Idol runner-up became the most famous?
Several went further than the winners who beat them. Jennifer Hudson placed seventh in season 3 and later won an Oscar and a Grammy, while Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert both lost finals and had long careers.
Has an American Idol contestant won another talent show?
Yes. Jessica Sanchez, the season 11 runner-up in 2012, went on to win America’s Got Talent in 2025, nineteen years after first appearing on that show as a child.
Who is the youngest American Idol winner?
Jordin Sparks is the youngest American Idol winner. She was 17 when she won season 6 on May 23, 2007. Scotty McCreery was also 17 when he won season 10 in 2011.
How is the American Idol winner decided?
The American Idol winner is decided by viewer votes. The judges choose who advances through auditions and Hollywood Week, but from the live shows onward the public votes, and the singer with the most votes in the finale wins.
Who are the American Idol judges now?
As of September 2026, the American Idol judges are Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood. Ryan Seacrest is the host, a role he has held since the first season in 2002.
What was the most-watched American Idol finale?
The season 2 finale in May 2003, when Ruben Studdard beat Clay Aiken, is the most-watched American Idol episode, with 38.1 million viewers for its final hour.
Who was third on American Idol season 24?
Keyla Richardson finished third on American Idol season 24 in 2026, behind winner Hannah Harper and runner-up Jordan McCullough.
