American Idols 15 Most Successful Stars

Posted by Jenniffer Sheldon on Wednesday, August 14, 2024

“American Idol” debuted 20 years ago and has since launched the careers of many budding singers. The series premiered on Fox in 2002 with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. Kelly Clarkson, who won the first season, went on to become one of the show’s biggest success stories.

In 2016, the show came to an end, only to be revived two years later by ABC, this time with judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie helming the show.

Still, the message remained the same: It’s possible to achieve your dreams — and “American Idol” could help you get there. Singers didn’t have to win to see success; in fact, some of the most victorious stars didn’t come in first place. Take Jennifer Hudson, who didn’t even make the Top 5 during her season of the show, but is the most decorated alumnus of the show.

Scroll down to look back at some of the most successful talents who got their starts on “Idol.”

  • Kelly Clarkson

    In 2002, Clarkson became the first-ever winner. Two decades later, she has sold over 25 million albums and has been nominated for 15 Grammy Awards, winning three. She hosts her own talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and serves as a judge on “The Voice.”

  • Clay Aiken

    Fans of the show were shocked when Clay Aiken didn’t win Season 2, coming in second behind Ruben Studdard. In 2003, he went on to release his debut album, which went multi-platinum, and he’s the fourth-highest-selling singer from the show. Now, he’s running for Congress in North Carolina’s 6th congressional district.

  • Ruben Studdard

    Studdard won three Billboard Awards and earned a Grammy nomination following his Season 2 win. He also starred on Broadway in 2018 alongside Aiken in “Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show.”

  • Fantasia

    Following her Season 3 win, Fantasia’s debut album garnered her three Grammy nominations. Through the years, she earned nine more, winning three. She starred in “The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale” and appeared on Broadway in “The Color Purple.”

  • Jennifer Hudson

    Hudson came in seventh place during Season 3 but went on to have one of the show’s biggest success stories. She starred in the 2006 “Dreamgirls” film adaptation and has won an Oscar, two Grammys, a Daytime Emmy, a Golden Globe and a SAG Award. Next, she’ll host a brand new talk show on Fox.

  • Carrie Underwood

    Underwood won Season 4 in 2005, and her country career soon skyrocketed. She has since sold 70 million records worldwide and taken home seven Grammy awards. In 2008, she was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

  • Constantine Maroulis

    In Season 4, Maroulis came in sixth place. The show launched quite a career for the singer, as he later went on to land a Tony nomination for his role in “Rock of Ages” on Broadway.

  • Chris Daughtry

    After coming in fourth place in Season 5, Daughtry continued as the lead singer and guitarist of his self-titled band. He earned three Grammy nominations and later starred as Judas in “The Passion: Live.”

  • Katharine McPhee

    During Season 5, McPhee came in second place behind Taylor Hicks. Despite not winning “Idol,” she launched a successful music and acting career, landing leading roles in “Smash,” “Scorpion” and “Country Comfort.”

  • Kellie Pickler

    Since “Idol,” the Season 5 contestant, who came in sixth place, released four albums and has had a successful TV career. Pickler had guest spots on “90210” and “Shimmer and Shine,” and appeared in TV movies “Christmas at Graceland,” “Wedding at Graceland” and “The Mistletoe Secret.”

  • Jordin Sparks

    In 2007, Sparks won Season 6 of the series at age 17, making her the youngest winner in the show’s history. She has taken home an NAACP Image Award, a BET Award and an American Music Award. She was also nominated for a Grammy Award for her collaboration with Chris Brown, “No Air.”

  • David Cook

    Cook’s career took off after winning Season 7, with his debut single “The Time of My Life” selling more than 1.4 million copies. He later made his Broadway debut as Charlie Price in “Kinky Boots.”

  • Adam Lambert

    Lambert came in second place during Season 8 but went on to receive a Grammy nomination for his song“Whataya Want from Me.” In 2014, he began touring with Queen, taking the role of legendary frontman Freddie Mercury. Over the course of his career, Lambert has sold more than three million albums.

  • Scotty McCreery

    McCreery won Season 10 of “American Idol” and has since released four albums. He’s also won a CMT Music Award, four BMI Country Awards and an ACM Award. Steering into other forms of entertainment, McCreery wrote and executive produced a Hallmark film titled “Five More Minutes” in 2021.

  • Phillip Phillips

    After his Season 11 win, Phillips’ coronation song, “Home,” became the best-selling song in “Idol” history, garnering more than 600 million streams on Spotify. Phillips has toured with John Mayer, Gavin DeGraw and the Goo Goo Dolls, and has even shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen.

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