‘American Idol’ Winners: Which Singer Won Each Season?

The first play of American Idol premiered connected June 11, 2002, and a 20-year-old Kelly Clarkson stood successful beforehand of judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson successful Dallas, Texas to audition with Etta James’ “At Last” and Madonna’s “Express Yourself.” Season 1’s hosts were Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman.

Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson

Winner: Kelly Clarkson

Seacrest became nan lone big of nan bid pursuing Dunkleman’s departure successful play 2. The last 2 contestants were some antheral this season, pinch Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard some competing for nan win. Studdard took nan title aft his winning song, “Flying Without Wings.”

Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson

Winner: Ruben Studdard

The 3rd play was won by Fantasia Barrino, who defeated Diana DeGarmo by a mini separator of votes. Season 3 besides introduced nan world to Jennifer Hudson.

Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson

Winner: Fantasia Barrino

Idol‘s 4th play crowned Carrie Underwood arsenic nan winner, and nan then-21-year-old songstress went connected to go a Grammy-winning state superstar. Bo Bice was nan runner-up.

Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson

Winner: Carrie Underwood

Though Taylor Hicks was named nan winner, nan 5th play of American Idol gave nan euphony manufacture a number of different stars, including Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler and Katharine McPhee (the runner-up).

Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson

Winner: Taylor Hicks

Jordin Sparks became nan youngest victor of American Idol at property 17.

Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson

Winner: Jordin Sparks

Season 7 was known for its David vs. David finale, arsenic David Cook and David Archuleta faced disconnected for nan title. Despite nan outcome, some contestants went connected to merchandise albums and footwear disconnected a profession successful music.

Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson

Winner: David Cook

This marked nan first play pinch a caller judge, arsenic nan OG trio welcomed Kara DioGuardi to nan panel. During nan finale successful 2009, Kris Allen won against Adam Lambert.

Judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi

Winner: Kris Allen

This was nan first play without Paula Abdul, and nan squad brought connected Ellen DeGeneres arsenic a impermanent judge.

Judges: Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi

Winner: Lee DeWyze

Simon Cowell besides near nan bid this season, marking nan first of galore judge changes during nan people of nan show. The countrified finale saw Scotty McCreery triumph nan title complete Lauren Alaina. McCreery was nan youngest antheral winner, astatine 17 (same property arsenic Jordin Sparks).

Judges: Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler

Winner: Scotty McCreery

This season, Idol brought connected Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler arsenic judges, and Jimmy Iovine arsenic an in-house mentor. Phillip Phillips became nan winner, beating Jessica Sanchez successful nan finale.

Judges: Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler

Winner: Phillip Phillips

Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban replaced JLo and Tyler arsenic judges this season. Season 12 became nan first to person an all-female apical five, marking nan first female victor (Candice Glover) since play six.

Judges: Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban

Winner: Candice Glover

Jackson near nan show aft 12 seasons, but returned arsenic a mentor to thief nan contestants. Caleb Johnson was announced nan victor of nan season, with Jena Irene as runner-up.

Judges: Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez

Winner: Caleb Johnson

American Idol: The Farewell Season, premiered connected Fox on January 6, 2016, marking nan last play connected nan network. Despite reports that nan bid would beryllium ending, ABC announced that it would revive nan show. Trent Harmon won, with La’Porsha Renae as nan runner-up.

Judges: Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez

Winner: Trent Harmon

The American Idol reboot premiered successful March 2018 connected ABC. Ryan Seacrest continued his domiciled arsenic nan show’s host, pinch a caller group of judges including Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. Maddie Poppe won nan season, pinch her fellow Caleb Lee Hutchinson arsenic nan runner-up.

Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan

Winner: Maddie Poppe

Laine Hardy won nan play with Alejandro Aranda as nan runner-up. The 18-year-old Louisiana autochthonal didn’t primitively scheme connected auditioning, but was convinced by nan judges erstwhile he accompanied a friend to nan audition.

Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan

Winner: Laine Hardy

Season 18 was temporarily aft nan Top 21 were revealed, arsenic nan COVID-19 pandemic began to spread. The show resumed accumulation successful precocious April, pinch Seacrest, nan judges and contestants filming their parts virtually, from home. Just Sam was crowned arsenic nan winner, pinch Arthur Gunn finishing arsenic nan runner-up.

Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan

Winner: Just Sam

As nan pandemic continued, American Idol season 19 blended virtual auditions pinch socially distanced successful personification capacity pursuing COVID-19 information protocols. Chayce Beckham won nan season, while Willie Spence was nan runner-up and Grace Kinstler vanished successful 3rd place.

Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan

Winner: Chayce Beckham

20-year-old Kentucky building worker won America’s bosom for play 20, beating retired runner-up HunterGirl and 3rd spot competitor Leah Marlene.

Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan

Winner: Noah Thompson

Season 21 wrapped up pinch 3 incredibly talented contestants – Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, and Colin Stough – competing for nan win. At nan end, it was Hawaiian autochthonal Tongi who moved audiences pinch his affectional communicative and heartfelt vocals, and he took location nan trophy.

Judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan

Winner: Iam Tongi