Jace Lamonica
Over the past two decades, “American Idol” winners have gone from everyday routines to national attention almost overnight. But fame didn’t lead everyone in the same direction. This article talks about 20 winners, and the different turns their lives and careers have taken since they bagged that trophy.
Kelly Clarkson (Winner In 2002, Season 1)
Her early albums earned many Grammy Awards and helped build a strong foundation for her post-Idol career. Building on that success, she introduced “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” which went on to receive multiple Daytime Emmy honors. That transition from chart success to television presence redefined her career on a different scale.
Ruben Studdard (Winner In 2003, Season 2)
Millions heard him first through studio recordings, but live performances became his lasting strength. He turned consistently toward gospel material and paid homage to soul icons like Luther Vandross. Offstage, he promotes music education through the Ruben Studdard Initiative, which keeps him connected to the industry.
Fantasia Barrino (Winner In 2004, Season 3)
Before “Bittersweet” gained industry praise, Fantasia had already shown stage strength through live theater. In 2007, “The Color Purple” introduced her as Celie with both emotional depth and vocal control. A later return in 2013 for “After Midnight” affirmed her ability to lead powerful productions outside televised competition.
Carrie Underwood (Winner In 2005, Season 4)
As of today, Carrie Underwood has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is a winner of several Grammys. She recorded her first “Sunday Night Football” theme song in 2013 and continued for multiple seasons. That same drive led her to launch “CALIA” in March 2015, a successful fitness and fashion brand that reflects her active lifestyle.
Taylor Hicks (Winner In 2006, Season 5)
Taylor Hicks has performed in Las Vegas and toured smaller venues across the U.S. Interestingly, he also opened a barbecue restaurant in Alabama, all while making music that wasn’t backed by any major record labels. Since the Idol win, his main focus has been on soul music and regular live appearances.
Jordin Sparks (Winner In 2007, Season 6)
Early success for Jordan Sparks came with a platinum album and major hits like “No Air.” Momentum from those releases led to collaborations that kept her visible in the pop and R&B spotlight. She later took roles in film and launched business ventures, yet her focus on music never faded.
David Cook (Winner In 2008, Season 7)
Cook’s departure from RCA in 2012 marked the beginning of a more autonomous creative path. Broadway came later, with a 2018 role as Charlie Price in “Kinky Boots” that highlighted strong stage presence and vocal adaptability. During that same year, he introduced his album titled “Digital Vein” through his own label, supported entirely by his fans.
Kris Allen (Winner In 2009, Season 8)
Allen’s 2013 car accident abruptly halted the broader success he gained from his 2009 hit “Live Like We’re Dying.” While recovering, he used the downtime to reshape his musical style, aiming for more intimate performances. Since then, his artistry has been built around personal stories of resilience and fatherhood.
Lee DeWyze (Winner In 2010, Season 9)
After 2014, DeWyze’s raspy vocals became TV’s secret weapon, with “The Walking Dead” (the show) using “Blackbird Song” for key emotional moments. In the years that followed, his music appeared in many other series and films. Traditional radio faded, but consistent exposure kept his songwriting widely recognized.
Scotty McCreery (Winner In 2011, Season 10)
At 30, he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry after the success of his 2018 single “Five More Minutes.” This reignited his interest in traditional country music as well. Since then, his deep-baritone renditions of Elvis and Randy Travis have drawn regular headlines—and views.
Phillip Phillips (Winner In 2012, Season 11)
Phillip’s “Home” generated a record-breaking $5 million by 2013. That success was soon overshadowed when 19 Entertainment demanded 60% of his touring revenue, which caused a delay in new releases until 2017. The settlement cleared the way for a 2018 tour that was fully controlled by the artist.
Candice Glover (Winner In 2013, Season 12)
“Music Speaks,” her debut album, was delayed multiple times before finally being released in 2014. Despite including singles like “I Am Beautiful,” it received limited promotion and modest chart performance. To date, it remains her only major-label release after winning season 12 of “American Idol.”
Caleb Johnson (Winner In 2014, Season 13)
After parting ways with a famous label, Caleb’s creative direction shifted toward full independence. His new band, Caleb Johnson & The Ramblin’ Saints, became the outlet for blues-rock influences and long-form storytelling. Releases like “Born from Southern Ground” and “Mountain Mojo Vol. 1” captured that transition in full.
Nick Fradiani (Winner In 2015, Season 14)
Post-Idol, Broadway became a major chapter for Nick, with a national stage role as young Neil Diamond in “A Beautiful Noise.” Such a role placed him in venues known for iconic musical storytelling. Earlier visibility also included performing the national anthem at Yankee Stadium shortly after his season 14 win.
Trent Harmon (Winner In 2016, Season 15)
Once his first country release fell short of a breakout hit, Harmon quietly parted ways with his label. Public updates grew rare, with only occasional appearances hinting at ongoing work. Over time, there’s been little sign of a new project or steady creative direction in Harmon’s career.
Maddie Poppe (Winner In 2018, Season 16)
Following the release of “Whirlwind,” Maddie Poppe shifted focus from charts to connection; she booked her own tours and venues. Additionally, she took control of distribution and handled releases independently. Recent songs reflect a more intimate tone, which is why her shows often blend storytelling with acoustic arrangements.
Laine Hardy (Winner In 2019, Season 17)
Laine Hardy’s rising career was interrupted in 2022 due to legal issues with his ex-girlfriend. This interruption diverted attention from his career. Though no charges were filed, he reduced public activity and delayed new releases. Industry support also slowed, and recent updates from his team or label have been minimal.
Iam Tongi (Winner In 2023, Season 21)
Stage highlights and viral exposure built nationwide interest throughout the season. As visibility increased, Iam Tongi became a breakout figure for Pacific Islander identity in national music spaces. A few singles followed the win, but no complete album or tour has been formally introduced to audiences yet.
Abi Carter (Winner In 2024, Season 22)
Declining big labels, Abi released her debut album “Ghosts in the Backyard” in November 2024 as an independent artist. Further, she sang the national anthem at the MLB National League Championship Series and also performed at D23 and New York Fashion Week. Carter launched her 2025 tour and is scheduled for Stagecoach 2025 alongside Zach Bryan.
Jamal Roberts (Winner in 2025, Season 23)
Jamal Roberts captured hearts as the 2025 American Idol winner, following his victory with a soulful cover of Tom Odell’s “Heal” while developing original gospel and R&B music. He is also preparing for Brandy and Monica’s prestigious fall tour. Despite rising fame, he returned to his P.E. teaching job and continues to perform locally across Mississippi.
