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Kelly Clarkson, Season 1
Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/FOX; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
The OGAmerican Idolchamp,Clarksonwas just 20 years old when she won the inaugural season of the show. After fulfillingIdol-related commitments (we’re looking at you,From Justin to Kelly), Clarkson launched an incredibly successful solo career. She has multipleGrammynominations and three wins, three No. 1 hits (perBillboard), and has sold millions of albums worldwide.
Clarkson has served as a coach onThe Voicesince 2018 (except for season 22 at the end of 2022), tellingPEOPLEat the time why returning to her reality show roots was important.
“I choose to do this because I think it’s fun, and it’s a rad thing to be a part of,” the mom of two said. “I really want to find someone that I can pay it forward to. I would love to say, ‘Man, I turned my chair for them and I was able to find a fabulous singer who can go on tour with me and have a huge career after this.’ "
02of 35Justin Guarini, Season 1Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/FOX; Andrew H. Walker/Variety/REX/ShutterstockGuariniwasIdol’s first-ever runner-up. He starred alongside Clarkson in the infamous filmFrom Justin to Kellyshortly after their season wrapped.Taking his talents to Broadway, Guarini made his stage debut in 2010’sWomen on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. He’s also had roles inAmerican Idiot,Romeo and Juliet,Wicked,In TransitandOnce Upon a More Time. Since 2015, he’s starred in Dr. Pepper commercials as the comical character “Lil' Sweet.”
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Justin Guarini, Season 1
Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/FOX; Andrew H. Walker/Variety/REX/Shutterstock
GuariniwasIdol’s first-ever runner-up. He starred alongside Clarkson in the infamous filmFrom Justin to Kellyshortly after their season wrapped.
Taking his talents to Broadway, Guarini made his stage debut in 2010’sWomen on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. He’s also had roles inAmerican Idiot,Romeo and Juliet,Wicked,In TransitandOnce Upon a More Time. Since 2015, he’s starred in Dr. Pepper commercials as the comical character “Lil' Sweet.”
03of 35Ruben Studdard, Season 2KEVORK DJANSEZIAN/AP/REX/Shutterstock; Paul Archuleta/FilmMagicAfter beating out runner-upClay Aikenin the sophomore season ofIdol,Studdardcontinued to captivate audiences with his soulful voice, receiving a Grammy nomination for best male R&B vocal performance for “Superstar” in 2003. He’s released seven studio albums to date, including the platinumSoulfulin 2003.He has alsoappeared onThe Biggest Loser, where he lost 119 lbs., in 2013, and received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Alabama A&M two years later.In December 2018, hereunited with Aiken on Broadwayfor the holiday-themedRuben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show.Studdard returned to the classroom in March 2022, teaching two master classes for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Performing Arts, theuniversityannounced. At the end of the year, he and Aiken revealed they would betouring together in 2023to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their time onIdol.
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Ruben Studdard, Season 2
KEVORK DJANSEZIAN/AP/REX/Shutterstock; Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
After beating out runner-upClay Aikenin the sophomore season ofIdol,Studdardcontinued to captivate audiences with his soulful voice, receiving a Grammy nomination for best male R&B vocal performance for “Superstar” in 2003. He’s released seven studio albums to date, including the platinumSoulfulin 2003.
He has alsoappeared onThe Biggest Loser, where he lost 119 lbs., in 2013, and received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Alabama A&M two years later.
In December 2018, hereunited with Aiken on Broadwayfor the holiday-themedRuben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show.
Studdard returned to the classroom in March 2022, teaching two master classes for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Performing Arts, theuniversityannounced. At the end of the year, he and Aiken revealed they would betouring together in 2023to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their time onIdol.
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Clay Aiken, Season 2
Chris Polk/FilmMagic; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Though Aiken lost to Studdard, his first studio album,Measure of a Man, debuted at No. 1 on theBillboard200 and went double platinum. Aiken has since released five other studio albums, including the platinumMerry Christmas with Love.
A dedicated advocate for children with special needs, Aiken (who was a special education teacher before finding fame onIdol) founded The National Inclusion Project in 2003. A portion of the proceeds fromRuben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Showbenefitted the nonprofit.
05of 35Josh Gracin, Season 2getty (2)Gracincame in fourth place on the second season ofIdol,and completed his service with the U.S. Marine Corps after the show wrapped. After he was honorably discharged from the military, the country singer signed a record deal and his single “Nothin' to Lose” topped theBillboardHot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 2004.Gracin has continued to tour, and isa proud father of five.
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Josh Gracin, Season 2
getty (2)
Gracincame in fourth place on the second season ofIdol,and completed his service with the U.S. Marine Corps after the show wrapped. After he was honorably discharged from the military, the country singer signed a record deal and his single “Nothin' to Lose” topped theBillboardHot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 2004.
Gracin has continued to tour, and isa proud father of five.
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Fantasia Barrino, Season 3
SGranitz/WireImage; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
In 2021, she and husbandKendall Taylorwelcomed their first child together,a daughter named Keziah. Barrino is also mom toDallas Xavierand Zion Quari, and Taylor is dad to son Treyshaun.
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Jennifer Hudson, Season 3
Steve Granitz/WireImage; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Themom of onestunned audiences with herportrayal of Aretha Franklinin 2021’sRespect,and kicked off her daytime talk show,The Jennifer Hudson Show, in 2022.
08of 35William Hung, Season 3Marion Curtis/StarPix/REX/Shutterstock; Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesFewIdolauditions are as memorable asHung’s rendition ofRicky Martin’s “She Bangs.” While Hung, who got married to his second wife Jian Teng in 2014 (they have since divorced), didn’t make it to Hollywood, he struck a chord with viewers. Hung signed a record deal, released a few albums and ultimately retired from singing in 2011, swapping a career in music for a job at the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Unsurprisingly, Hung still gets recognized.“Everybody knows me,” he told PEOPLE in 2015. “When I go try to watch a baseball game or just go shopping or do general everyday things, people recognize who I am. They ask me, ‘May I have your picture? Aren’t you the ‘She Bangs’ guy?’ It helps a lot because it’s much easier for me to make friends and make professional connections. It’s great.”
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William Hung, Season 3
Marion Curtis/StarPix/REX/Shutterstock; Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
FewIdolauditions are as memorable asHung’s rendition ofRicky Martin’s “She Bangs.” While Hung, who got married to his second wife Jian Teng in 2014 (they have since divorced), didn’t make it to Hollywood, he struck a chord with viewers. Hung signed a record deal, released a few albums and ultimately retired from singing in 2011, swapping a career in music for a job at the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Unsurprisingly, Hung still gets recognized.
“Everybody knows me,” he told PEOPLE in 2015. “When I go try to watch a baseball game or just go shopping or do general everyday things, people recognize who I am. They ask me, ‘May I have your picture? Aren’t you the ‘She Bangs’ guy?’ It helps a lot because it’s much easier for me to make friends and make professional connections. It’s great.”
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Carrie Underwood, Season 4
Ray Mickshaw/WireImage; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
“Idolwas probably the most horrifying thing, because I had never been away from my hometown like that before,“Underwood, who is married topro hockey player Mike Fisherand ismom to two boys,told the outlet. As for what she thought right after winningIdol, Underwood shared withParadethat she tried to keep her thinking practical.
“I always kept in my head, ‘If nothing else ever comes of this, I got to do the coolest thing ever and I wonAmerican Idol. I was like, ‘Okay, I will just have fun with this and save up as much money as I can and finish school and get a real job.‘Because I am always a practical thinker and would never allow myself to think it would turn out okay all the time.”
You can catch the superstar on thelatest portion of her Las Vegas residency.
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Constantine Maroulis, Season 4
Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images
In 2021, Maroulis revealed hehad been sober for a while.You can catch him regularly performing shows all over the country.
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Katharine McPhee, Season 5
Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images; Todd Williamson/Getty Images
In 2019,she marriedmusic producer David Foster; together they have one son,Rennie. The couple also appeared onThe Masked SingerasBanana Splitin 2021.
12of 35Chris Daughtry, Season 5Chris Polk/FilmMagic; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesDespite getting eliminated after making it to the final four onAmerican Idolin 2006,the rockerhas proven to have a successful career, forming his band Daughtry shortly after leaving the show. His band picked up four Grammy nominations, including best rock song for their single “It’s Not Over,” in 2008.“It was the best thing that ever happened, as far as my career is concerned,” Daughtry told PEOPLE of his days on the singing competition show. “Otherwise, people wouldn’t have a clue who I was.“In 2022, heopened up toAIalum Kelly Clarksonabout the deaths of his mother andstepdaughter, Hannah.
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Chris Daughtry, Season 5
Chris Polk/FilmMagic; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Despite getting eliminated after making it to the final four onAmerican Idolin 2006,the rockerhas proven to have a successful career, forming his band Daughtry shortly after leaving the show. His band picked up four Grammy nominations, including best rock song for their single “It’s Not Over,” in 2008.
“It was the best thing that ever happened, as far as my career is concerned,” Daughtry told PEOPLE of his days on the singing competition show. “Otherwise, people wouldn’t have a clue who I was.”
In 2022, heopened up toAIalum Kelly Clarksonabout the deaths of his mother andstepdaughter, Hannah.
13of 35Ace Young, Season 5Chris Polk/FilmMagic; Todd Williamson/Getty ImagesYoung made it to the top seven before being eliminated the year Taylor Hicks won. Since then, the Colorado-born performer has written and starred in Broadway’sHair, where he andAmerican Idolalum Diana DeGarmo (season 3 runner-up) met and fell in love. Theytied the knotin 2013.“I’m more excited about what ABC does with the show we already love,“Young revealed to AJC.comof theIdolreboot in 2018. “They feel they can do it better. I’m curious to see what they bring to the table.”
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Ace Young, Season 5
Chris Polk/FilmMagic; Todd Williamson/Getty Images
Young made it to the top seven before being eliminated the year Taylor Hicks won. Since then, the Colorado-born performer has written and starred in Broadway’sHair, where he andAmerican Idolalum Diana DeGarmo (season 3 runner-up) met and fell in love. Theytied the knotin 2013.
“I’m more excited about what ABC does with the show we already love,“Young revealed to AJC.comof theIdolreboot in 2018. “They feel they can do it better. I’m curious to see what they bring to the table.”
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Taylor Hicks, Season 5
Ray Mickshaw/WireImage; Rob Kim/Getty Images
Singing isn’t Hicks’ only talent. In 2017, it was announced he would serve as the host of INSP Channel’sState Plate, which sees the singer traveling around the country to explore different types of foods.
15of 35Kellie Pickler, Season 5BRANIMIR KVARTUC/AP/REX/Shutterstock; Amy Harris/REX/ShutterstockPicklerfinished in sixth place during season 5 ofAmerican Idol. She since solidified her presence in the world of country music, thanks to singles such as “Best Days of Your Life.” Of course, Pickler went on to win another reality competition: season 16 ofDancing with the Stars, alongside proDerek Hough. She also hosted the daytime talk show,Pickler & Ben, which aired from September 2017 through May 2019.WithAmerican Idolcontinuing its reign,Pickler said she would love to go back to the show. “It forever changed my life, and I will always be grateful to have been a part of the show,” she told PEOPLE.
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Kellie Pickler, Season 5
BRANIMIR KVARTUC/AP/REX/Shutterstock; Amy Harris/REX/Shutterstock
Picklerfinished in sixth place during season 5 ofAmerican Idol. She since solidified her presence in the world of country music, thanks to singles such as “Best Days of Your Life.” Of course, Pickler went on to win another reality competition: season 16 ofDancing with the Stars, alongside proDerek Hough. She also hosted the daytime talk show,Pickler & Ben, which aired from September 2017 through May 2019.
WithAmerican Idolcontinuing its reign,Pickler said she would love to go back to the show. “It forever changed my life, and I will always be grateful to have been a part of the show,” she told PEOPLE.
16of 35Jordin Sparks, Season 6Michael Buckner/Getty Images; Rob Kim/Getty ImagesIn 2007,Sparks, who was 17 at the time, was crowned theIdolwinner — the youngest in the singing competition show’s history. Not only has Sparks found fame with her singing career, but she also has dabbled in acting, landing roles in Broadway’sIn the HeightsandWaitress, and starring oppositeWhitney Houstonin 2012’sSparkle. The “Tattoo” singer eventually proved herself to be a triple threatwhen she competedonDancing with the Starsin 2022.In terms of her personal life, Sparks revealed to PEOPLE in 2017 that she had marriedDana Isaiahand was expecting the couple’s first child. Son DJjoined the familyin 2018.
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Jordin Sparks, Season 6
Michael Buckner/Getty Images; Rob Kim/Getty Images
In 2007,Sparks, who was 17 at the time, was crowned theIdolwinner — the youngest in the singing competition show’s history. Not only has Sparks found fame with her singing career, but she also has dabbled in acting, landing roles in Broadway’sIn the HeightsandWaitress, and starring oppositeWhitney Houstonin 2012’sSparkle. The “Tattoo” singer eventually proved herself to be a triple threatwhen she competedonDancing with the Starsin 2022.
In terms of her personal life, Sparks revealed to PEOPLE in 2017 that she had marriedDana Isaiahand was expecting the couple’s first child. Son DJjoined the familyin 2018.
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Sanjaya Malakar, Season 6
Steve Granitz/WireImage; Jim Smeal/REX/Shutterstock
Known for his envy-inducing hair and for being a fixture on E!’s now-defunctThe Soup, theIdolfinalist was an obvious standout from the rest of his competition not just for his voice, but for his heartthrob status.
18of 35David Cook, Season 7getty (2)Cookwon the seventh season of the singing competition in 2008, hitting a high with the moody single “The Time of My Life” which was certified platinum. He has since released three albums, two EPs and headlined multiple tours. In 2018, Cook made his way to Broadway, starring inKinky Boots.Two years later, he opened up toPEOPLEabout the “therapeutic process” of releasing his song “Reds Turn Blue” to navigate anxiety.“A couple years afterIdol, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and have spent the last almost decade really going through the process of navigating that and picking up new tools and processes along the way to deal with it,” Cook said at the time. “This song became a therapeutic process for me, as a way to personify my anxiety and make it something other than me.”
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David Cook, Season 7
Cookwon the seventh season of the singing competition in 2008, hitting a high with the moody single “The Time of My Life” which was certified platinum. He has since released three albums, two EPs and headlined multiple tours. In 2018, Cook made his way to Broadway, starring inKinky Boots.
Two years later, he opened up toPEOPLEabout the “therapeutic process” of releasing his song “Reds Turn Blue” to navigate anxiety.
“A couple years afterIdol, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and have spent the last almost decade really going through the process of navigating that and picking up new tools and processes along the way to deal with it,” Cook said at the time. “This song became a therapeutic process for me, as a way to personify my anxiety and make it something other than me.”
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David Archuleta, Season 7
Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic
Archuleta took a break from his music career to become a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile for two years beginning in 2012. He opened up about coming outin an emotionalGood Morning Americainterview in 2021, andtalked to PEOPLEabout stepping away from religion after embracing his queer identity.
20of 35Kris Allen, Season 8getty (2)Allenwon season 8 of the hit show in 2009, and his single “Live Like We’re Dying” from his self-titled album reached No. 18 on theBillboardHot 100 chart. He has since released four other studio albums, and continued to tour, when not chasinghis three young kids.
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Kris Allen, Season 8
Allenwon season 8 of the hit show in 2009, and his single “Live Like We’re Dying” from his self-titled album reached No. 18 on theBillboardHot 100 chart. He has since released four other studio albums, and continued to tour, when not chasinghis three young kids.
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Adam Lambert, Season 8
“Getting right down to the final three, I knew that at this point I had so many opportunities that were going to open up for me,“Lambert shared withEntertainment Weeklyof what he was feeling when he learned he didn’t winIdol, in a 2016 interview. “And at the same time I’ve watched the show and I’ve seen that people can win or not win and that can be it for them — the show can be sort of their high point forever. "
22of 35Lee DeWyze, Season 9Getty (2)DeWyzewon season 9 in 2010, and has released five albums in the years since. His song “Victims of the Night” was featured in 2023’sTeen Wolf: The Movieon Paramount+, and he’s stillperforming live around the country.
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Lee DeWyze, Season 9
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DeWyzewon season 9 in 2010, and has released five albums in the years since. His song “Victims of the Night” was featured in 2023’sTeen Wolf: The Movieon Paramount+, and he’s stillperforming live around the country.
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Scotty McCreery, Season 10
Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
As for his personal life? Hepopped the question to longtime girlfriend Gabi Dugalin September 2017;they wedthe following year. The couplewelcomed their first son, Merrick Avery, in 2022.
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Lauren Alaina, Season 10
Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic; John Shearer/Getty Images
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Phillip Phillips, Season 11
Jim Smeal/BEI/REX/Shutterstock; Manny Carabel/WireImage
In early 2015, the star filed a lawsuit againstIdol’s production company 19 Entertainment, claiming they “manipulated” him into accepting jobs and were being “oppressive” about his career. Then more than a year later, 19 Entertainment hit back with a complaint alleging Phillips was holding on to as much as $1 million of their money.
“It was really tough,” Phillips — who wasn’t allowed to release new music until he reached a settlement with 19 Entertainment in June 2017 —told PEOPLE exclusively. “I thought, ‘Man, is this ever going to end? Will I ever be able to release new music?’ [I was] a little depressed about it and also anxious trying to figure out what I can do to push things forward.” However, the former contestantreturned to theAIstage in 2022, performing his single “Love Like That” during the season finale.
Hewed his longtime girlfriend Hannah Blackwellin 2015 and they hadtheir first childin 2019.
26of 35Candice Glover, Season 12getty (2)The soulful singer dazzled judgesNicki MinajandMariah Careyon the twelfth season ofIdol,and went on to win the competition in 2013. She dropped her debut albumMusic Speaksthe following year, and has since released music onSoundCloud. According to Glover’sInstagrampage, she is still performing and has her bachelor of fine arts degree in film and television.
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Candice Glover, Season 12
The soulful singer dazzled judgesNicki MinajandMariah Careyon the twelfth season ofIdol,and went on to win the competition in 2013. She dropped her debut albumMusic Speaksthe following year, and has since released music onSoundCloud. According to Glover’sInstagrampage, she is still performing and has her bachelor of fine arts degree in film and television.
27of 35Caleb Johnson, Season 13getty; shuttestockJohnsonwon the thirteenth season of Idol in 2014 when he was just 23, and dropped the debut solo albumTestifysoon after. Then, he went on to tour with KISS, Black Stone Cherry and Trans Siberian Orchestra, according to hiswebsite.Expanding his brand, the rocker founded the band Caleb Johnson & The Ramblin’ Saints, with whom he released records in 2019 and 2021.According to his site, Johnson’s sole mission today “is to spread the gospel of rock-n-roll!”
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Caleb Johnson, Season 13
getty; shuttestock
Johnsonwon the thirteenth season of Idol in 2014 when he was just 23, and dropped the debut solo albumTestifysoon after. Then, he went on to tour with KISS, Black Stone Cherry and Trans Siberian Orchestra, according to hiswebsite.
Expanding his brand, the rocker founded the band Caleb Johnson & The Ramblin’ Saints, with whom he released records in 2019 and 2021.
According to his site, Johnson’s sole mission today “is to spread the gospel of rock-n-roll!”
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Nick Fradiani, Season 14
From 2019 through 2020, he starred in the North American tour of the Broadway musicalA Bronx Tale.Fradiani went on to make his Broadway debut in 2022, playing Neil Diamond inA Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical.
29of 35Trent Harmon, Season 15getty; Trent Harmon/instagramThe country singer took the top prize onIdolin 2016, and released a self-titled album later that year. Harmon dropped his first full-length album,You’ve Got ‘Em All,in 2018, and opened on tour forRascal Flatts.
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Trent Harmon, Season 15
getty; Trent Harmon/instagram
The country singer took the top prize onIdolin 2016, and released a self-titled album later that year. Harmon dropped his first full-length album,You’ve Got ‘Em All,in 2018, and opened on tour forRascal Flatts.
30of 35Maddie Poppe, Season 16getty (2)The pop-folk singer was crowned the winner in 2018, beating runner-upCaleb Lee Hutchinson, who started dating Pope during their time on the show. After her victory, she dropped her debut studio albumWhirlwindthe following year and opened forIngrid Michaelsonon tour.Talking toPEOPLEabout the exciting experience in 2019, Poppe said, “Getting the opportunity to sing ‘You and I’ with Ingrid Michaelson every night has been so cool. One of my very favorite moments of the night is looking out into the audience and seeing literally every mouth reciting the words to that song.“I can’t imagine what it must feel like watching a room full of people belt lyrics you wrote at the top of their lungs, and in that moment just knowing how many people you’ve impacted in that room.“Pope’s romance with Hutchinson isstill going strong, ashe appeared in her music videofor her 2022 single, “One That Got Away.”
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Maddie Poppe, Season 16
The pop-folk singer was crowned the winner in 2018, beating runner-upCaleb Lee Hutchinson, who started dating Pope during their time on the show. After her victory, she dropped her debut studio albumWhirlwindthe following year and opened forIngrid Michaelsonon tour.
Talking toPEOPLEabout the exciting experience in 2019, Poppe said, “Getting the opportunity to sing ‘You and I’ with Ingrid Michaelson every night has been so cool. One of my very favorite moments of the night is looking out into the audience and seeing literally every mouth reciting the words to that song.
“I can’t imagine what it must feel like watching a room full of people belt lyrics you wrote at the top of their lungs, and in that moment just knowing how many people you’ve impacted in that room.”
Pope’s romance with Hutchinson isstill going strong, ashe appeared in her music videofor her 2022 single, “One That Got Away.”
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Though she came in third behind Poppe during season 16,Barrettshot to stardom through the show and has since launched a successful country career.
Her debut single, “I Hope,” topped theBillboardHot Country chart for a record-breaking 27 weeks, and she was the most-nominated female country artist at the 2021 American Music Awards. Her song “The Good Ones” was released in 2020 and also went platinum.
In 2021, she opened forThomas Rhetton tour, and was honored with the Rising Star Award at the 2022BillboardWomen in Music Awards. The following year, Barrett co-hosted the 57thAcademy of Country Music AwardsalongsideJimmie AllenandDolly Parton.
Barrett is married to her fellowIdolcontestantCade Foehner, with whom she has daughterBaylah Mayandson Augustine Boone.
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Laine Hardy, Season 17
“It just feels like a dream to have been given that opportunity,” Hardy toldPEOPLEof the milestone moment. “I know a lot of my influences growing up have stood on that wooden circle at the Opry, and to be able to stand in the same place, that’s pretty cool. It was a dream of mine that I got to make true.“In April of 2022, Hardy was arrested in Louisiana and booked in a local prison amid allegations that he placed a recording device in his ex-girlfriend’s dorm room.
33of 35Just Sam, Season 18getty (2)The sweet singer (whose birth name is Samantha Diaz) washistorically crownedtheIdolchamp remotely in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since dropped the singles “Rise Up,” “Africando,” “Change,” “Safe N Sound,” “Pain Is Power” and “Question.“Diaz, who made a living singing in subway trains prior toIdol,told reportersafter her win that the victory felt like a “whirlwind.““First things first, I’m going home to my grandma and I’m going to hug her. That’s the first thing I am going to do. I hope to be able to put out music. I am going to try to do whatAmerican Idolwas trying to do in the beginning and that is bring family and friends together during this time when we need each other most. We shouldn’t be alone,” she said at the time.“After this, I hope to be able to inspire more people and reach more people all across the country and across the world,” Diaz continued. “That is my plan and my hope.“In 2022,she had fans concernedwhen she announced she was in the hospital and needed “help” — not providing any further details — but she has been active on herInstagramsince.
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Just Sam, Season 18
The sweet singer (whose birth name is Samantha Diaz) washistorically crownedtheIdolchamp remotely in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since dropped the singles “Rise Up,” “Africando,” “Change,” “Safe N Sound,” “Pain Is Power” and “Question.”
Diaz, who made a living singing in subway trains prior toIdol,told reportersafter her win that the victory felt like a “whirlwind.”
“First things first, I’m going home to my grandma and I’m going to hug her. That’s the first thing I am going to do. I hope to be able to put out music. I am going to try to do whatAmerican Idolwas trying to do in the beginning and that is bring family and friends together during this time when we need each other most. We shouldn’t be alone,” she said at the time.
“After this, I hope to be able to inspire more people and reach more people all across the country and across the world,” Diaz continued. “That is my plan and my hope.”
In 2022,she had fans concernedwhen she announced she was in the hospital and needed “help” — not providing any further details — but she has been active on herInstagramsince.
34of 35Chayce Beckham, Season 19getty (2)After taking thetop prizefor season 19 ofIdol,Beckham said he planned to move to Nashville and focus on making new music. The singer went on to releasehis debut EPin April 2022.
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Chayce Beckham, Season 19
After taking thetop prizefor season 19 ofIdol,Beckham said he planned to move to Nashville and focus on making new music. The singer went on to releasehis debut EPin April 2022.
35of 35Noah Thompson, Season 20Noah Thompson.Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty ImagesIn May 2022,Idolcrowned its 20th champ, a construction worker and father from Louisa, Ky.“He just came in as the underdog … the unassuming guy that he didn’t see it coming, America didn’t see it coming,” judgeLuke Bryansaid after the finale. “And I think, you know, we’ve seen it in 20 years where those type people, really — American pulls for them, responds to them. And it always tells me that at the end of the day, being a good, humble, kind person wins.”
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Noah Thompson, Season 20
Noah Thompson.Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images
In May 2022,Idolcrowned its 20th champ, a construction worker and father from Louisa, Ky.
“He just came in as the underdog … the unassuming guy that he didn’t see it coming, America didn’t see it coming,” judgeLuke Bryansaid after the finale. “And I think, you know, we’ve seen it in 20 years where those type people, really — American pulls for them, responds to them. And it always tells me that at the end of the day, being a good, humble, kind person wins.”
Lydia Price
source: people.com
