21 American Idol Winners: Where Are They Now?

The first champion has been riding a wave of success since she snagged the win. She’s released nine albums, headlined tons of tours, shared the stage with famous musicians and has blossomed into an actress, author and TV personality with three Grammys and her own talk show! She’s also gotten married, had two kids and gone through a divorce!

"I feel like I’ve obviously progressed as a human," said Kelly Clarkson, 42. "At the same time, though, I do feel very similar and very tied to that 19-year-old that first auditioned."

The 45-year-old singer has been thriving years after his win. Ruben Studdard has released seven albums, including his platinum-selling debut, Soulful. He’s also ventured into acting, appearing in several popular shows, including One on One, 8 Simple Rules and All of Us.

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

This powerful vocalist reprised her role as Celie Johnson for the movie musical adaptation of The Color Purple, which became her feature film debut. She worked on two albums and said she will always be grateful to the show.

"It was the door that opened for me that allowed so many things, good and bad. I had to go through so many things, nobody prepares you for the industry," said Fantasia Barrino, 40.

The country music superstar, 41, released her ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones, launched her SiriusXM channel, Carrie’s Country, and extended her Las Vegas residency through August. She’s married to ex-NHL player Mike Fisher and they share sons Isaiah, 8, and Jacob, 5.

"Where does the time go?" Carrie Underwood asked.

After he won the audience over with his high energy and great stage presence, he signed with Arista Records to release his self-titled debut album.

Taylor Hicks, 47, was on the stage in Shenandoah in 2019 and featured in the film Stars Fell on Alabama in 2021. He’s also had a long-term Las Vegas residency.

"That opportunity to be able to be on that show at the time period has allowed me longevity — obviously, with hard work as well. But I’m very blessed as well," he said.

The youngest winner in the series’ history has had hit albums and competed on The Masked Dancer and Dancing With the Stars.

Jordin Sparks, 34, has also been a mentor on American Idol and reflected, "I couldn’t believe I was back and it was my turn to share what I learned."

In 2012, she made her feature film debut in Sparkle alongside Whitney Houston.

The 41-year-old singer released three studio albums and four live albums with various bands before releasing his first solo album, Analog Heart. His debut single, "The Time of My Life," made the Billboard Hot 100 charts and sold 1.4 million copies.

David Cook looked back on his time at American Idol with appreciation.

"It’s still such a family," he said. "I loved my time on the show."

He married girlfriend Racheal Stump in 2015.

The 39-year-old singer from Arkansas came out with the single "Live Like We’re Dying" in 2009 and sold over 1.7 million copies!

Kris Allen released his fifth studio album, Letting You In, in 2016, and later toured Europe with Cook.

Before American Idol, Allen was a missionary working in countries all around the world. Since winning the eighth season, he’s become involved with several charitable organizations that promote music education. He married his high school sweetheart, Katy, and they have young children together.

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

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

"It was always about songwriting for me," he said. "It’s what I loved. That’s why I did all of that in the first place. It wasn’t for fame or any of that stuff."

Like Sparks, Scotty McCreery was just 17 when he won American Idol. He released his song "Five More Minutes" following his victory.

McCreery, 30, kept the momentum going and released five albums, with his latest titled Same Truck. He married in 2018 and had his first child, a son, and said, "Becoming a father is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me and watching my wife be a rock star as his mom has been the joy of my life."

The singer and guitarist’s debut song, "Home," is the best-selling song in American Idol history, selling over 5 million copies in the U.S.

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

He said he was grateful for the show and offered advice for future contestants, "Know who you are as an artist, and don’t be afraid to make that statement on television."

Candice Glover, 34, is the first winner to have auditioned three times before being cast for the live shows. She’s an R&B singer now but had a long climb to becoming a winner after Simon Cowell eliminated her in Season 9 saying she’d be nothing more than a lounge singer after she forgot the words to her song.

She said it was hard to go from a "contest winner" to being taken seriously in the real world.

"It can be nerve-wracking but I wouldn’t trade it for anything," insisted Glover.

Nick Fradiani, now 38, plays a young Neil Diamond in the Broadway production of A Beautiful Noise. Before appearing on American Idol, he competed in America’s Got Talent.

He said he felt "comfortable, no nerves whatsoever" during the finale show in 2015, and a year later, he released an album, Hurricane.

Laine Hardy, 23, performed his coronation song "Flame" on The View. He also sang on the televised 2020 National Tree Lighting Ceremony and released his album Here’s to Anyone.

"When I first tried out, I couldn’t have ever imagined where I was headed," he recalled. "Since then, I’ve been able to tour across America, play for our troops in Asia, and make new fans in Europe."

In 2022, he avoided jail for allegedly bugging his ex-girlfriend’s home — but saw his career derailed by the scandal.

Samantha Diaz, a 25-year-old native of Harlem, N.Y., has revealed victory didn’t automatically lead to success. Just Sam struggled with fame and was penniless and singing in New York City subway stations for tips less than two years after claiming the top spot in the competition.

The talented performer is now seeking a comeback and posts singing videos from all over the city, which have been shared by celebs such as Viola Davis.