Where Are Previous 'American Idol' Winners Now? From Kelly Clarkson to Maddie Poppe, Who Achieved Their Musical Dreams?

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now?
Maddie Poppe was crowned the winner of Season 1 of the 'American Idol' reboot in May 2018. ABC/Eric McCandless

American Idol first premiered in 2002 with Simon Cowell, Paul Abdul and Randy Jackson. Now, 17 years later, the hit reality talent show has seen 17 seasons, a reboot and new panels of judges — but did the show create musical prodigies?

From the show's first winner, Kelly Clarkson to the most recent, Maddie Poppe, find out where they are now.

Season 1 – Kelly Clarkson

Arguably one of the most recognizable winners from the reality talent show is current The Voice judge Kelly Clarkson. It's easy to say that she continues to lead a very successful music career — winning three Grammys and releasing eight studio albums.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? - Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson performs onstage during the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 22, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty

Season 2 – Ruben Studdard

Winner of American Idol in 2003, the now 40-year-old has received a Grammy nomination and won two Billboard Music Awards since his rise to Gospel stardom. He is currently signed with Verve Records, who also represented jazz music legends Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Stan Getz and Billie Holiday.

Studdard is currently touring and will be performing Vilar Performing Arts Center Tuesday.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? - Ruben Studdard
Ruben Studdard performs onstage during the 2018 Black Music Honors at Tennessee Performing Arts Center on August 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty

Season 3 – Fantasia Barrino

Known simply by her mononym Fantasia, the Season 3 winner is still making waves in the music industry. Winning two Billboard Music Awards and receiving 11 Grammy nomination through her career, the 37-year-old doesn't look to have any plans of slowing down in the R&B world.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? - Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Barrino performs onstage during the Black Girls Rock! 2018 Show at NJPAC on August 26, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. Getty

Season 4 – Carrie Underwood

Another easily recognizable face in the American Idol alumni is country singer Carrie Underwood. Over the course of her 15-year career, the 36-year-old has received over 300 award nominations; winning seven Grammys and 10 Billboard Music Awards.

In 2010, the country singer made Academy of Country Music Awards history when she became the first woman to win Entertainer of the Year twice.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? – Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood performs onstage during the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on October 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Getty

Season 5 – Taylor Hicks

Since winning American Idol, 42-year-old Taylor Hicks' debut single "Do I Make You Proud" debuted at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006. The singer has three studio albums, his latest one being in 2009; however, that doesn't mean his music career is over.

Hicks released his latest single "Six Strings & Diamond Rings" in 2017 and is currently starring in the musical "Shenandoah" at Serenbe Playhouse from March 13 to April 7.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? – Taylor Hicks
Singer Taylor Hicks performs onstage during the 2015 Hollywood Christmas Parade on November 29, 2015 in Hollywood, California. Getty

Season 6 – Jordin Sparks

Becoming one of the youngest winners of American Idol in 2007, Jordin Sparks currently holds the third spot of the highest-selling single by any American Idol contestant for her collaborative single "No Air."

The 29-year-old has received numerous nominations throughout her career. Her most recent win was a 2014 songwriting BMI Pop Award for Ariana Grande's song "The Way."

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? – Jordin Sparks
Recording artist Jordin Sparks performs onstage during FOX's 'American Idol' Finale For The Farewell Season at Dolby Theatre on April 7, 2016 in Hollywood, California. at Dolby Theatre on April 7, 2016 in Hollywood,... Getty

Season 7 – David Cook

A week after winning American Idol in 2008, David Cook broke multiple Billboard chart records, most notably having 11 singles debut on the Hot 100. Since then, the 36-year-old has released three studio albums, most recently his 2018 album Chromance.

Cook is set to perform March 29 at the Tin Path South Songwriters Festival in Nashville.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? – David Cook
Singer-songwriter David Cook performs at the Soles4Souls charity concert, sponsored by Barefoot Wine & Bubbly at the Bridge Building on April 1, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty

Season 8 – Kris Allen

Following his American Idol win in 2009, Kris Allen's self-titled album debuted at No. 11 on Billboard's Top 100. Since then, his most recent album Letting You In was released in 2016; however, tragedy struck the rock singer when he got into a car accident New Year's Day in 2017.

Breaking his wrist in the head-on collision, Allen had to learn how to play the guitar all over again. The singer isn't touring at the moment, but it can be speculated that his comeback is in the works.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? – Kris Allen
Recording artist Kris Allen performs onstage during FOX's 'American Idol' Finale For The Farewell Season at Dolby Theatre on April 7, 2016 in Hollywood, California. at Dolby Theatre on April 7, 2016 in Hollywood, California. Getty

Season 9 – Lee DeWyze

After Lee DeWyze won American Idol in 2010, he won a Teen Choice Award for Male Reality/Variety Star. Since then, the 32-year-old has released five studio albums, most recently in 2018.

DeWyze is currently gearing up to begin month-long tour starting in April. For tour dates and locations, click here.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now?
Recording artist Lee DeWyze performs onstage during FOX's 'American Idol' Finale For The Farewell Season at Dolby Theatre on April 7, 2016 in Hollywood, California. at Dolby Theatre on April 7, 2016 in Hollywood, California. Getty

Season 10 – Scott McCreery

Since his American Idol win 2011, Scott McCreery has released four studio albums and peaked at No. 11 on Billboard's Top 100 for his debut single "I Love You This Big."

Most recently, McCreery converted his wedding footage to a music video for his single "This Is It" in 2018. Tickets are currently for sale for his months-long tour, starting in Detriot on March 21.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? – Scotty McCreery
Scotty McCreery performs onstage at the Nashville Songwriters Awards 2018 at Ryman Auditorium on September 19, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty

Season 11 – Phillip Phillips

Aside from winning American Idol, Phillip Phillips is arguably known for his hit singles "Home" and "Gone, Gone, Gone." His most recent studio album Collateral was released last year, however, the 28-year-old singer-songwriter has no upcoming tours or events.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now?
Musician Phillip Phillips performs during PTTOW! SESSIONS and WORLDZ Kickoff Party at Spring Place on November 1, 2016 in New York City. Getty

Season 12 – Candice Glover

Auditioning three times before being cast, Candice Glover became American Idol 's winner in 2013. Since her victory, Glover released her only studio album Music Speaks in 2014; however, her most recent single "Break Me" debuted in 2018.

Currently, the 29-year-old is starring in a live sitcom GRITS (Girls Raised In The South), which the singer announced via Twitter.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now?
Singer Candice Glover performs onstage during FOX's 'American Idol' Finale For The Farewell Season at Dolby Theatre on April 7, 2016 in Hollywood, California. at Dolby Theatre on April 7, 2016 in Hollywood, California. Getty

Season 13 – Caleb Johnson

Since his victory on American Idol's 13th season, rock singer Caleb Johnson has released one studio album. More recently, the 27-year-old released his single "Born and Raised" in 2018 and his second album Born From Southern Ground is available for pre-order via iTunes.

No upcoming tour dates have been announced, but it can be speculated that a tour will follow the album's release.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? – Caleb Johnson
American Idol season 13 winner Caleb Johnson performs at the 25th National Memorial Day Concert rehearsals at U.S. Capitol West Lawn on May 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. Getty

Season 14 – Nick Fradiani

Since his 2015 win, Nick Fradiani released his first EP Where We Left Off in 2017, but the pop artist is arguably better known for his 2015 debut single "Beautiful Life."

The 33-year-old singer confirmed via Twitter an event in April with singer Matt Nathanson at the Paramount in New York.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now?
Recording artist Nick Fradiani performs during the 2016 Miss Teen USA Competition at The Venetian Las Vegas on July 30, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty

Season 15 – Trent Harmon

Winning the final season of American Idol before the reboot, Trent Harmon released his debut studio album You Got 'Em All in 2018. This is no tour information on his website, but it can be speculated that the 28-year-old is just getting started.

Where Are Previous ‘American Idol’ Winners Now? - Trent Harmon
Musician Trent Harmon performs onstage during the 2017 Concert for Love & Acceptance on June 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty

Season 16 (Season 1 of Show's Reboot) Maddie Poppe

The most recent winner of the reality talent show franchise, Maddie Poppe released her debut single "Little Things" in February. A studio album is underway, but no release date has been confirmed.

"I've whittled it down to about 14 songs," Poppe said in a We Are Iowa report. "I still have to pick a final 10. So 10 are going to make the album. And I'm still working every day to figure out what's going to make the best combination here."

The 21-year-old also made recent headlines regarding her adorable relationship with American Idol runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson. Both musicians are focused on creating music for their fans, which seem to be inspired by their romantic relationship.

"There's a line in the song, 'There's a million little things that keep reminding me of you,'" Maddie said to E! Online regarding her single "Little Things." "And it's really true to my life story because I'm out here in Los Angeles a lot and this time last year, I was with Caleb everyday out here."

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About the writer


Hannah Preston works remotely from the Los Angeles area. She studied Journalism & New Media at California Baptist University and interned ... Read more

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