«American Idol continues to discover new talents in 2026»
16 may 2026 в 01:13
**American Idol** has been turning ordinary singers into celebrities for over two decades. From Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood to Fantasia Barrino and Adam Lambert, this long-running music competition has served as a launching pad for some of the biggest stars in the music industry. On May 11, 2026, the show crowned Hannah Harper as its latest champion in the finale of its 24th season, continuing the tradition of discovering new talent.
The show currently airs on ABC with judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, along with longtime host Ryan Seacrest. **American Idol** remains one of the most popular reality shows on television. While some previous winners have achieved tremendous success in music and entertainment, others have stepped away from the spotlight or chosen entirely different careers after their victories.
Let’s take a look back at all the previous winners of **American Idol** and see what they are doing today.
**American Idol** became an instant phenomenon when it debuted in 2002, and Kelly Clarkson quickly became the show’s first star, winning its first season. She has built one of the most successful careers among **Idol** contestants, releasing hits such as «Since U Been Gone», - «Because of You», - and «Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)».
Over the years, Kelly has released several successful albums, won three Grammy Awards, and received multiple Emmys for her talk show **The Kelly Clarkson Show**, which has become one of the most popular daytime talk shows. She has also previously served as a coach on **The Voice**, mentoring several winners.
In recent years, Kelly continues to balance music, television, and touring, remaining closely tied to the legacy of **American Idol**, often reflecting on how the show changed her life and career forever.
If Kelly Clarkson is one of the defining success stories of **American Idol**, then Carrie Underwood certainly holds that title as well. Since winning season 4 in 2005, Carrie has become one of the biggest stars in country music, building a successful career with hits like «Before He Cheats», - «Jesus, Take the Wheel», - and «Cowboy Casanova».
Over the years, Carrie has released several chart-topping albums, won eight Grammy Awards, and received numerous accolades from the CMA and ACM. In 2008, she was inducted into the **Grand Ole Opry** and continues to be regarded as one of the most influential contemporary female artists in country music.
In 2025, Carrie returned to **American Idol** when she officially joined the show as a judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, replacing longtime judge Katy Perry. Her return to the franchise became one of the biggest stories of recent seasons, especially when she helped crown the season 24 winner, Hannah Harper, in May 2026
The show currently airs on ABC with judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, along with longtime host Ryan Seacrest. **American Idol** remains one of the most popular reality shows on television. While some previous winners have achieved tremendous success in music and entertainment, others have stepped away from the spotlight or chosen entirely different careers after their victories.
Let’s take a look back at all the previous winners of **American Idol** and see what they are doing today.
**American Idol** became an instant phenomenon when it debuted in 2002, and Kelly Clarkson quickly became the show’s first star, winning its first season. She has built one of the most successful careers among **Idol** contestants, releasing hits such as «Since U Been Gone», - «Because of You», - and «Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)».
Over the years, Kelly has released several successful albums, won three Grammy Awards, and received multiple Emmys for her talk show **The Kelly Clarkson Show**, which has become one of the most popular daytime talk shows. She has also previously served as a coach on **The Voice**, mentoring several winners.
In recent years, Kelly continues to balance music, television, and touring, remaining closely tied to the legacy of **American Idol**, often reflecting on how the show changed her life and career forever.
If Kelly Clarkson is one of the defining success stories of **American Idol**, then Carrie Underwood certainly holds that title as well. Since winning season 4 in 2005, Carrie has become one of the biggest stars in country music, building a successful career with hits like «Before He Cheats», - «Jesus, Take the Wheel», - and «Cowboy Casanova».
Over the years, Carrie has released several chart-topping albums, won eight Grammy Awards, and received numerous accolades from the CMA and ACM. In 2008, she was inducted into the **Grand Ole Opry** and continues to be regarded as one of the most influential contemporary female artists in country music.
In 2025, Carrie returned to **American Idol** when she officially joined the show as a judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, replacing longtime judge Katy Perry. Her return to the franchise became one of the biggest stories of recent seasons, especially when she helped crown the season 24 winner, Hannah Harper, in May 2026
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
