American Idol is one of the most popular and influential singing competitions in the world. Since its debut in 2002, the show has launched the careers of many talented and successful artists. Some of them have become household names, while others have faded into obscurity. But who are the richest American Idol winners of all time? How much money have they made from their music, tours, endorsements, and other ventures? And how do they compare to each other in terms of net worth?
Top 10 richest american idol winners All Time
In this article, we will reveal the top 10 richest American Idol winners as of 2023, based on their estimated net worth from various sources. We will also provide some background information on each winner, their achievements, and their current projects. Whether you are a fan of the show, a music lover, or just curious, you will find this article informative and interesting. So, let’s get started!
10. David Cook – $5 million
David Cook was the winner of the seventh season of American Idol in 2008. He beat David Archuleta in the finale, with a record-breaking 97.5 million votes cast. Cook is a rock singer and songwriter, who has released four studio albums, two EPs, and several singles. His debut album, David Cook, sold over 1.5 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA. His second album, This Loud Morning, debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart. His third album, Digital Vein, was released independently in 2015. His fourth album, Chromance, was released in 2018.
Cook has also toured extensively, both as a headliner and as an opening act for artists like Gavin DeGraw, Daughtry, and Train. He has also appeared in several TV shows, such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and Nashville. He has also performed on Broadway, playing the role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots in 2018. Cook has a net worth of $5 million as of 2023.
9. Fantasia Barrino – $7 million
Fantasia Barrino was the winner of the third season of American Idol in 2004. She beat Diana DeGarmo in the finale, with over 65 million votes cast. Barrino is an R&B and soul singer and songwriter, who has released seven studio albums, one compilation album, and several singles. Her debut album, Free Yourself, sold over 2 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Her second album, Fantasia, debuted at number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. Her third album, Back to Me, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and was nominated for three Grammy Awards. Her fourth album, Side Effects of You, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and won her first Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for “Bittersweet”. Her fifth album, The Definition Of…, debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart. Her sixth album, Christmas After Midnight, was her first holiday album. Her seventh album, Sketchbook, was released independently in 2019.
Barrino has also ventured into acting, both on screen and on stage. She starred in the biographical film about her life, Fantasia: Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, in 2006. She also played the role of Celie in the Broadway musical The Color Purple in 2007 and 2016. She also played the role of Aretha Franklin in the TV series Genius: Aretha in 2020. Barrino has a net worth of $7 million as of 2023.
8. Jordin Sparks – $10 million
Jordin Sparks was the winner of the sixth season of American Idol in 2007. She beat Blake Lewis in the finale, with over 74 million votes cast. Sparks is a pop and R&B singer and songwriter, who has released four studio albums, one mixtape, and several singles. Her debut album, Jordin Sparks, sold over 2 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Her second album, Battlefield, debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. Her third album, Right Here Right Now, was released independently in 2015. Her fourth album, Cider & Hennessy, was released in 2020.
Sparks has also pursued an acting career, starring in films such as Sparkle, Left Behind, and God Bless the Broken Road. She has also appeared in TV shows such as The Suite Life on Deck, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Beauty and the Beast. She has also performed on Broadway, playing the role of Nina Rosario in In the Heights in 2010. Sparks has a net worth of $10 million as of 2023.
7. Phillip Phillips – $12 million
Phillip Phillips was the winner of the eleventh season of American Idol in 2012. He beat Jessica Sanchez in the finale, with a record-breaking 132 million votes cast. Phillips is a folk and rock singer and songwriter, who has released three studio albums and several singles. His debut album, The World from the Side of the Moon, sold over 1 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA. His second album, Behind the Light, debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart. His third album, Collateral, was released in 2018.
Phillips is best known for his coronation song, “Home”, which became the best-selling single of any American Idol winner, with over 5 million copies sold. The song was also used as the theme song for the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Phillips has also toured extensively, both as a headliner and as an opening act for artists like John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen, and Matchbox Twenty. He has also performed at various events, such as the National Christmas Tree Lighting, the Capitol Fourth Concert, and the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. Phillips has a net worth of $12 million as of 2023.
6. Scotty McCreery – $12 million
Scotty McCreery was the winner of the tenth season of American Idol in 2011. He beat Lauren Alaina in the finale, with over 122 million votes cast. McCreery is a country singer and songwriter, who has released five studio albums, one compilation album, and several singles. His debut album, Clear as Day, sold over 1 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA. His second album, Christmas with Scotty McCreery, sold over 500,000 copies and was certified gold by the RIAA. His third album, See You Tonight, debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. His fourth album, Seasons Change, debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned his first number one single on the Country Airplay chart, “Five More Minutes”. His fifth album, Same Truck, was released in 2021.
McCreery has also won several awards, including the Academy of Country Music Award for New Artist of the Year in 2012, the CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year in 2012, and the American Country Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2013. He has also toured with artists like Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, and Darius Rucker. He has also performed at various events, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the National Memorial Day Concert, and the Grand Ole Opry. McCreery has a net worth of $12 million as of 2023.
5. Kelly Clarkson – $45 million
Kelly Clarkson was the winner of the first season of American Idol in 2002. She beat Justin Guarini in the finale, with over 58 million votes cast. Clarkson is a pop and rock singer and songwriter, who has released eight studio albums, one compilation album, and several singles. Her debut album, Thankful, sold over 3 million copies and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. Her second album, Breakaway, sold over 15 million copies and was certified sextuple platinum by the RIAA. Her third album, My December, sold over 2 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Her fourth album, All I Ever Wanted, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Her fifth album, Stronger, sold over 5 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Her sixth album, Piece by Piece, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. Her seventh album, Meaning of Life, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. Her eighth album, Wrapped in Red, was her first holiday album and sold over 3 million copies.
Clarkson is one of the most successful and acclaimed artists of all time, having won three Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, and two Billboard Music Awards. She has also sold over 25 million albums and 45 million singles worldwide. She has also ventured into other fields, such as acting, writing, and hosting. She starred in the film From Justin to Kelly in 2003, wrote two children’s books in 2016 and 2017, and became the host of her own talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show
in 2019. She has also been a coach on the reality show The Voice since 2018. Clarkson has a net worth of $45 million as of 2023.
4. Adam Lambert – $50 million
Adam Lambert was the runner-up of the eighth season of American Idol in 2009. He lost to Kris Allen in the finale, with over 100 million votes cast. Lambert is a pop and rock singer and songwriter, who has released four studio albums, one live album, and several singles. His debut album, For Your Entertainment, sold over 2 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA. His second album, Trespassing, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. His third album, The Original High, debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned his biggest hit single, “Ghost Town”. His fourth album, Velvet, was released in 2020.
Lambert is also known for his collaboration with the legendary rock band Queen, as the lead vocalist of Queen + Adam Lambert since 2011. He has toured with the band around the world, performing at iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium, and the Hollywood Bowl. He has also performed at various events, such as the Academy Awards, the MTV Europe Music Awards, and the Global Citizen Festival. Lambert has a net worth of $50 million as of 2023.
3. Jennifer Hudson – $25 million
Jennifer Hudson was the seventh-place finalist of the third season of American Idol in 2004. She was eliminated in a shocking result, despite being praised by the judges and the fans. Hudson is a soul and R&B singer and actress, who has released four studio albums, one compilation album, and several singles. Her debut album, Jennifer Hudson, sold over 1 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Her second album, I Remember Me, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. Her third album, JHUD, debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 chart. Her fourth album, Respect, was the soundtrack of the biographical film about Aretha Franklin, in which Hudson played the lead role.
Hudson is one of the most acclaimed and awarded artists of all time, having won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a Grammy, and two Emmys. She is best known for her role as Effie White in the film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2007. She has also starred in films such as Sex and the City, The Secret Life of Bees, Winnie Mandela, and Cats. She has also appeared in TV shows such as Empire, Smash, and Hairspray Live!. She has also been a coach on the reality show The Voice in the UK and the US. Hudson has a net worth of $25 million as of 2023.
2. Carrie Underwood – $140 million
Carrie Underwood was the winner of the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. She beat Bo Bice in the finale, with over 63 million votes cast. Underwood is a country and pop singer and songwriter, who has released seven studio albums, one compilation album, and several singles. Her debut album, Some Hearts, sold over 9 million copies and was certified eight times platinum by the RIAA. Her second album, Carnival Ride, sold over 4 million copies and was certified four times platinum by the RIAA. Her third album, Play On, sold over 3 million copies and was certified three times platinum by the RIAA. Her fourth album, Blown Away, sold over 2 million copies and was certified two times platinum by the RIAA. Her fifth album, Storyteller, sold over 1 million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Her sixth album, Cry Pretty, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Her seventh album, My Gift, was her first holiday album and debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Underwood is one of the most successful and decorated artists of all time, having won seven Grammy Awards, 15 American Music Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 12 Country Music Association Awards, and nine Billboard Music Awards. She has also sold over 70 million records worldwide and is the best-selling female artist in the history of country music. She has also ventured into other fields, such as fashion, writing, and producing. She launched her own clothing line, CALIA by Carrie Underwood, in 2015. She wrote her first book, Find Your Path, in 2020. She also co-produced her sixth and seventh albums, Cry Pretty and My Gift. Underwood has a net worth of $140 million as of 2023.
1. Kelly Clarkson – $200 million
Kelly Clarkson is the richest American Idol winner of all time, with a net worth of $200 million as of 2023. She has doubled her net worth since 2019, thanks to her successful career as a singer, songwriter, actress, author, and talk show host. She has also been a coach on the reality show The Voice since 2018, earning $15 million per season. She has also signed a lucrative deal with NBCUniversal to produce and star in various projects, including her own talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, which has been renewed for a third and fourth season. She has also been named as the host of the Billboard Music Awards for the fourth consecutive year in 2021.
Clarkson has also continued to release new music, such as her single “I Dare You” in 2020, which featured five different language versions. She has also announced that she is working on her ninth studio album, which will be influenced by her divorce from Brandon Blackstock. She has also released a new single, “Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You)”, in 2021, which will be part of her second holiday album, When Christmas Comes Around.
Clarkson is not only the richest American Idol winner, but also one of the most influential and respected artists in the music industry. She has been praised by critics and fans alike for her powerful vocals, diverse musical styles, and authentic personality. She has also been recognized by various organizations and publications, such as Time, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Forbes, as one of the most successful and influential artists of all time.
Conclusion
American Idol has been a platform for discovering and launching the careers of many talented and successful artists. Some of them have become superstars, while others have struggled to maintain their relevance. However, they all have one thing in common: they have achieved their dreams of becoming singers and performers, thanks to the show and the fans who supported them.
In this article, we have revealed the top 10 richest American Idol winners as of 2023, based on their estimated net worth from various sources. We have also provided some background information on each winner, their achievements, and their current projects. We hope you have enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about your favorite American Idol winners.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Here are some of the most asked questions and answers about the topic of this article:
- Q: Who is the richest American Idol judge?
- A: The richest American Idol judge is Simon Cowell, who has a net worth of $600 million as of 2021. He was one of the original judges of the show from 2002 to 2010, and also the creator and producer of the show. He is also the founder and owner of Syco Entertainment, which produces and manages various music and TV shows, such as The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, and America’s Got Talent.
- Q: Who is the most successful American Idol contestant who did not win?
- A: The most successful American Idol contestant who did not win is Adam Lambert, who has a net worth of $50 million as of 2023. He was the runner-up of the eighth season of the show in 2009, losing to Kris Allen. He is a pop and rock singer and songwriter, who has released four studio albums and several singles. He is also known for his collaboration with the legendary rock band Queen, as the lead vocalist of Queen + Adam Lambert since 2011.
- Q: Who is the least successful American Idol winner?
- A: The least successful American Idol winner is Lee DeWyze, who has a net worth of $500,000 as of 2021. He was the winner of the ninth season of the show in 2010, beating Crystal Bowersox. He is a folk and rock singer and songwriter, who has released six studio albums and several singles. However, he has failed to achieve commercial success and recognition, and has been dropped by his record labels twice.
- Q: How many American Idol winners have won a Grammy Award?
- A: Four American Idol winners have won a Grammy Award: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino, and Phillip Phillips. Kelly Clarkson has won three Grammy Awards, Carrie Underwood has won seven Grammy Awards, Fantasia Barrino has won one Grammy Award, and Phillip Phillips has won one Grammy Award.
- Q: How many American Idol winners have won an Oscar?
- A: One American Idol winner has won an Oscar: Jennifer Hudson. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2007 for her role as Effie White in the film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls.