They were all in it to win it.
See what the crowned “American Idol” contestants have been up to since their victories.
Other winners haven’t been able to fully translate theirIdolsuccess into major record sales.
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She wrapped the finale with a famed performance of her debut single, “A Moment Like This.”
One of the most successfulAmerican Idolalums, Clarkson quickly became a star when the cameras stopped rolling.
She dropped her debut albumThankfulin April 2003, led by the hit single “Miss Independent.”
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Clarkson followed up soon after with the sophomore effortBreakaway, achieving multiplatinum status.
Led by the singles “Superstar” and “Sorry 2004,” the album hit No.
1 on theBillboard200his most successful effort to date.
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The young mother from North Carolina took home the title at the age of 20.
She willreprise her role of CeliefromThe Color Purplein theOprah Winfrey-produced musical version of the film.
The track introduced Underwood’s debut November 2005 albumSome Hearts, which was certified multiplatinum.
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Taylor Hicks (Season 5)
Taylor Hicksbecame the fifth winner ofAmerican Idolon May 24, 2006.
The then-29-year-old edged outKatharine McPheefor the title, after previously making it through pastChris DaughtryandKellie Pickler.
Just 17 years old at the time of her win, Sparks beat Blake Lewis in the season finale.
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She performed “This Is My Now,” which would become her debut single, at the finale.
Sparks dropped her first album, November 2007’sJordin Sparks, soon after.
The record was a commercial success and included the singles “Tattoo” and “No Air.”
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The Texas-born singer, who auditioned in Omaha, Neb., beat competitor David Archuleta in the season finale.
Led by the single “Light On,” the album hit No.
The Arkansan, who began playing music at a young age, auditioned forIdolin Louisville, Ky.
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He made it all the way to the final round, beating outAdam Lambertin the season’s last episode.
In addition to his music career, Allen welcomed three children with his wife Katy.
Lee DeWyze (Season 9)
Lee DeWyzebecame the ninth American Idol on May 26, 2010.
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He beat out competitorCrystal Bowersoxin the season finale.
The singer released his post-Idoldebut albumLive It Upwith RCA in November 2010.
DeWyze continued to record and married actress Jonna Walsh during this time.
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The singer dropped his debut studio albumClear as Daysoon after.
The platinum-selling project, which hit No.
McCreery went on to release two more albums,Seasons Change(2018) andSame Truck(2021).
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He debuted his single “Home” in the season finale, watching the track go multiplatinum.
Released in November 2012, the project hit No.
4 on theBillboard200 and also including the track “Gone, Gone, Gone.”
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She beat out Kree Harrison in the season finale, performing the track “I Am Beautiful.”
The song would go on to become Glover’s debut promotional single.
Glover dropped her debut studio albumMusic Speaksin February 2014, nearly a year after herIdolwin.
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The project peaked at No.
14 on theBillboard200, and included the follow-up single “Cried.”
Gloverhyped new music in 2015, but has yet to make an official announcement.
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She continues to perform, largely playing private events and trying her hand at acting on the stage.
Just two months after his win, Johnson dropped his debut studio albumTestify.
The album could not reach the same level of success as previousIdoldebuts, peaking at No.
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“Beautiful Life” hit No.
93 on theBillboardHot 100 and teased what was to come from his first album post-Idol.
Harmon got married to first-grade teacher Kathleen Couch in 2020.
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The musician later joined Ingrid Michaelson on her 2019 tour as an opener.
Laine Hardy (Season 17)
The Livingston, La.
resident first auditioned forAmerican Idolin 2016, but didn’t get far in the competition.
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