The winner of American Idol receives a recording contract and a substantial cash prize, though the amount has changed since the show started.. Speaking to Business Insider in July 2022, season 16 ...

However, the dollar amount appears to have lessened in the years since, with Season 16 winner Maddie Poppe telling Business Insider in 2022, “You do get $250,000, but not really because of taxes.

Winning American Idol has been a dream come true for many singers, but the prizes have changed a lot over the years. Kelly Clarkson was crowned the singing competition's inaugural winner in 2002.

We’ve ranked the 23 “American Idol” winners based primarily on sheer talent, but with an obvious nod toward their success after the show (new winner Jamal Roberts excepted from that criteria).

See below for a complete list of American Idol winners. Season 1. The first season of American Idol premiered on June 11, 2002, and a 20-year-old Kelly Clarkson stood in front of judges Simon ...

It’s been more than one week since Jamal Roberts was crowned the American Idol season 23 winner — but so far, he hasn’t seen his prize money. “No, I haven’t received it. Don’t know ...

The 2025 American Idol winner is Jamal Roberts — who joins the ranks of past successors like former contestant-turned-judge Carrie Underwood. Season 23, which aired its finale on May 18, brought ...

[WARNING: This post contains MAJOR spoilers from the American Idol Season 23 finale]. However, the dollar amount appears to have lessened in the years since, with Season 16 winner Maddie Poppe ...

The 2025 American Idol winner is Jamal Roberts — who joins the ranks of past successors like former contestant-turned-judge Carrie Underwood. Season 23, which aired its finale on May 18, brought ...