In 2025, the 23rd season of American Idol started airing on Fox. This singing competition series has seen some huge stars grace its stage and singers from a multitude of different genres have made it through auditions and gained fans across the country as they competed to win the judges' praise and votes from the audience.
Because there have been 23 seasons of this competition series, some of the past competitors have faded out of the public eye but there are others that went on to have major musical careers, whether they won the series or not.
Who are the most famous people that have competed on American Idol? Keep reading to see seven of the biggest names from the show -- and find out what they're up to now that they're off the show.
1. Fantasia (Season 3, Winner)
Fantasia Barrino, better known simply as Fantasia, won the third season of American Idol and was named one of TIME's 100 most influential people in 2024, two decades after she first graced TV screens as an American Idol contestant. Along with continuing to release music, Fantasia had her own reality show, Fantasia for Real, in 2010 and played the role of Celie Harris-Johnson in 2023's The Color Purple.
2. Kellie Pickler (Season 5, 6th place)
Even though Kellie Pickler didn't win her season of American Idol, she's still gone on to have quite a career in country music. She came in 6th place on season 5 of Idol and went on to release songs like "Red High Heels" and "Best Days of Your Life" (a song that she co-wrote with pop superstar Taylor Swift). Along with her musical career, Kellie Pickler won season 16 of Dancing with the Stars.
3. Scotty McCreery (Season 10, Winner)
Scotty McCreery was only 16 years old when he auditioned for American Idol, meaning that when he won as an 18-year-old country singer, he became the second youngest winner of the series to date. With songs like "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack and "Amazed" by Lonestar, Scotty McCreery showed off his country music chops throughout American Idol season 10 and left the season's winner. Since then, he's continued making music and had his sixth studio album, Rise & Fall, released in 2024 and it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Country chart.
4. Adam Lambert (Season 8, Runner-up)
Despite coming second to Kris Allen in American Idol's 8th season, Adam Lambert has gone on to become one of the biggest stars from the series. From a guest spot on Pretty Little Liars to touring as the lead singer of Queen + Adam Lambert alongside Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor, this "Whataya Want from Me" singer proved that winning American Idol isn't always the best outcome.
5. Carrie Underwood (Season 4, Winner)
Carrie Underwood won season 4 of American Idol and has gone on to be one of the best-selling artists from the competition series. She performed music from a variety of different genres while on the competition, but she went on to have a major career in country music after winning, releasing nine studio albums and becoming known for hit singles like "Before He Cheats" and "Remind Me" with Brad Paisley.
6. Jennifer Hudson (Season 3, 7th place)
Jennifer Hudson came in 7th place on season 3 of American Idol but has gone on to become the only American Idol contestant to win an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), as well as being the youngest woman and third Black American to become an EGOT when she accumulated all four awards. Now, Jennifer Hudson is best known for her talk show, but she's not done with music -- she released a Christmas album in 2024.
7. Kelly Clarkson (Season 1, Winner)
Kelly Clarkson was the first ever winner of American Idol and she's still one of the most successful. From releasing hit songs like "A Moment Like This" to "Since U Been Gone" and now, hosting a talkshow that's won nearly two dozen Daytime Emmy Awards, this American Idol OG has done it all. Kelly Clarkson has released 10 studio albums with her most recent being released in 2023 and she had two stints as a judge on The Voice to help hopeful singers through their own competition show journeys.