American Idol Winners: Where Are They Now?

The first champion has enjoyed a wave of success since her victory. She has released nine albums, headlined countless tours, shared the stage with famous musicians and has become an actress, author and TV personality with three Grammys and her own talk show! She also got married, had two children and is divorced!

“I feel like I’ve definitely made progress as a person,” he said Kelly Clarkson42. “But at the same time, I feel very similar and very connected to that 19-year-old who auditioned for the first time.”

The 45-year-old singer is flourishing years after his victory. Ruben Studdard has released seven albums, including his platinum-selling debut, Soulful. He also ventured into acting and appeared in several popular shows including One on one, 8 simple rules and all of us.

In 2018 he moved to the Broadway theater in Christmas show by Ruben & Clay.

This powerful singer reprized her role as Celie Johnson for the musical film 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 and allowed so many things to happen, good and bad. I had to experience so many things, no one prepares you for the industry,” said Fantasy Barrino40.

The country music superstar, 41, released her ninth studio album, Denim and rhinestones, launched her SiriusXM channel, Carrie’s Country, and extended her Las Vegas residency through August. She is married to an ex-NHL player Mike Visser and they share sons Isaiah8, and Jacob5.

“Where has the time gone?” Carrie Underwood asked.

The youngest winner in the history of the series has had hit albums and competed The masked dancer And Dancing with the stars.

Jordin Vonken34, has also been a mentor American Idol and reflected, “I couldn’t believe I was back and it was my turn to share what I learned.”

She made her feature film debut in 2012 Sparkle alongside Whitney Houston.

The 39-year-old singer from Arkansas released the single “Live Like We’re Dying” in 2009 and it sold over 1.7 million copies!

Chris Allen released his fifth studio album, Letting you inin 2016, and later toured Europe with Cook.

For American IdolAllen was a missionary who worked in countries around the world. Since winning the eighth season, he has become involved with several charitable organizations that promote music education. He married his high school sweetheart, Katyaand they have young children together.

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

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

“It’s always been about songwriting for me,” he said. “I loved that. That’s why I did all that in the first place. It wasn’t for fame or anything like that.”

Like sparks, Scotty McCreery was only 17 when he won American Idol. After his win, he released his song “Five More Minutes”.

McCreery, 30, kept the momentum going, releasing five albums, including his latest title The same truck. He got married in 2018 and had his first child, a son, and said: “Becoming a father is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and seeing my wife become a rock star just like his mother has been the joy of my life.”

The singer and guitarist’s debut song, ‘Home’, is the best-selling song in the US American Idol history, which has sold more than 5 million copies in the US

Now 33 and a married father of one child, Philip Philips has released four albums and toured with them John Mayer and the Goo Goo dolls.

He said he was grateful for the show and offered advice to 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 audition three times before being cast for the live shows. She is now an R&B singer but had a long climb to becoming a winner Simon Cowell eliminated her in season 9, saying she would be nothing more than a lounge singer after forgetting the words to her song.

She said going from being a “competition winner” to being taken seriously in the real world was difficult.

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

The 33-year-old is now a country singer who works as a full-time songwriter in Nashville. Trent Harmon released the hit “You Got ‘Em All”, the title track of his debut album, in 2018.

“I benefited a lot from doing the show, learning to sing early in the morning and always being ready to go,” he said.

In 2019, he tied the knot with old Galpal Kathleen Bank.

Laine Hardy23, sang his coronation song “Flame”. The view. He also sang at the 2020 televised National Tree Lighting Ceremony and released his album Here’s to everyone.

“When I first tried it, I could never have imagined where I was going,” he recalls. “Since then, I have been able to tour 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 house, but saw his career derailed by the scandal.

The last American Idol is the winner I’m Tongi – and he’s only 19 years old! He is also the first Pacific Islander and first non-country singer in three years to win the show.

He annoyed the judges emotional during his auditionand was a clear winner from the start.

In an interview, Tongi recalled the special moment “when they called my name, I was just really excited. It was an amazing experience.”