Top Ten Best American Idol Winners / Runner-ups

The Top Ten
1 Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American singer, songwriter and children's book author. She rose to fame in 2002 after winning the inaugural season of the television series American Idol, which earned her a record deal with RCA Records. Clarkson's debut single, "A Moment Like This", topped the US Billboard ...read more.

She is talented and beautiful, and everybody loves her. All of her songs are huge hits and she is still a person very down - to - earth and that's very inspiring. Definitely the best winner ever. I also like Jessica Sanchez (strong vocalist in a very young age), Carrie Underwood (first country singer to win AMERICAN IDOL, many, many GRAMMYS! ) and Scotty McCreery (deep voice in a very young age)...

She is the most powerful American idol winner with the most experience. She can sing with so much emotion and will move you every time you listen to her! The best clearly! If she did not win Idol would not be around today.

She is the best and never fails to excel wherever she go and sings.

2 Carrie Underwood Carrie Marie Underwood is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005. Her debut album, Some Hearts, was released in 2005.

Okay, so to get real... What the hell is adam lambert standing in the second place? (propositally forgot to put the capitals in his name). COME ON, not to be discriminally judging him, but Carrie Underwood, let's see: has a better voice, has beauty, (which frankly he doesn't), has a bigger amount of fans, (figures 'cause I'm one of the only ones that are defending her in this site), sold a couple of billions more than adam, so putting things togther, she's got a better and larger range in every single way if you put in mind. She should be in a tie with Kelly, (if that's een possible), but that's just an insult.

Carrie Underwood best American Idol ever..

3 Adam Lambert Adam Mitchel Lambert is an American singer, songwriter and stage actor. Since 2009, he has sold over 2.5 million albums and 5 million singles worldwide.

Adam went on to become an international star! He didn't need to win. He's touring the world with his solo music and also fronting for the legendary Queen, making millions of dollars in the process. He's also done some acting (we need more - he's too gorgeous) and modeling. He's also been judge and mentor on both AI and XFactorAU. I don't see them asking the winner to do these things. His success has totally overshadowed the "winner." Kris who? Maybe Kris would have been better off if he didn't win.

And where are all the fans who supported the "winner." They're certainly not buying his albums or singles (he doesn't even chart) or filling up his concert venues. His only hit was a song he didn't write although his fans think he is the best singer/songwriter ever (yawn).

American Idol always treated Adam as the winner with guest performances sitting at the judges table, mentoring. I didn't see Kris Allen doing those things.

Kris is still riding on the coat tails of ...more

Not winning AI was the best thing that ever happened to Adam. He's gone on to become a superstar. Clearly the best!

Adam was the best everything to come out of Idols. Never watched another Idols show after season 8.

Adam has it all. Vocal talent, style and personality. I love Kelly and Carrie, too! But Adam gets this Gramma's vote

4 Jessica Sanchez

Jessica has the best voice ever in Idol history, in my humble opinion of course. I still can't believe she didn't win last year.

She should've been won! Even musician and celebrity supported her! I hope she'll doing big on her career at the future!

Girl has the best singing voice I've ever heard. EVER.

If you've heard her I'm pretty sure you're going to agree on this choice too

5 Jena Irene

She is amazing. Has Kelly Clarkson potential. Almost won American idol. She is going to be so successful!

Can't Help Falling In Love, Creep, Decode, Unbreakable Me, what more can you ask?

She is so great. She should've won.

6 Scotty McCreery Scott Cooke McCreery is an American country music singer. He is also known for winning the tenth season of American Idol on May 25, 2011.

Undoubtedly the very best. If only, they would let him sing the "oldies" in his mellow low voice. I was 82 when Scottie was on and voted for him faithfully. My niece told my sister "doesn't Aunt June know that only little teenager girls vote." Oh, my!

7 David Cook David Roland Cook is an American rock singer-songwriter, who rose to fame after winning the seventh season of American Idol in 2008.
8 Jordin Sparks Jordin Brianna Sparks is an American singer, songwriter and actress. In 2007, she rose to fame after winning the sixth season of American Idol; at age 17, she became the youngest winner in the series' history.

Can listen to sparks any time. Great voice, superb talent

9 Caleb Johnson
10 Lauren Alaina

She is so good! Once she releases her sophomore album it will be at the top of the charts! She sings like Carrie Underwood! Great voice!

The Contenders
11 David Archuleta David James Archuleta is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. At ten years old, he won the children's division of the Utah Talent Competition leading to other television singing appearances.

David is a pure vocalist he has no need for anything but his voice. He is pitch perfect when he sings. I will always be a fan of David Archuleta!

12 Phillip Phillips Phillip LaDon Phillips Jr. is an American singer, songwriter and musician who won the eleventh season of American Idol on May 23, 2012. His coronation song, "Home," released after his win, became the best selling of all coronation songs.

I like the voice of Phillip Phillips.. Deserving to be the winner of AI season 11.. Aside from Phillips I also like jessica sanchez and jordin sparks, the two of them blessed with such an amazing voice, and also David Cook and Kelly Clarkson, both with a power, rock n'rolling voice!

13 Candice Glover Candice Rickelle Glover is an American R&B singer and actress who won the twelfth season of American Idol.

People have squealed for Candice Glover!

Candice Glover always gets squealing!

Better than Kree Harrison.

14 Kree Harrison

Kree has this innate ability to capture an audience and connect them to every word that she is singing. Her voice is so raw, it's truly the most beautiful sound to ever have graced this Earth. Anyone that consistently watched her season would know that she has the biggest heart and is so sweet and caring to anyone and everyone she meets. What more could you ask for in an idol? (PS. her debut album is coming out very soon, so keep an eye out! )

Loved Kree and her beautiful life story. Each performance excellent. Never understood why she didn't win. Would love to know if she made it in the music world. Truly hope so. Her inner being shone so beautifully.

In my life, I've never heard a singer who has a tone so soothing and angelic. Even in her highnotes it just flawless. And she's also beautiful both inside and out. She's an epitome of Angels on Earth. Should have won the season.

15 Clay Aiken

We all know Clay is a great singer and entertainer. In all the American idols seasons', Season two was the only on that had a Christmas show. Why did clay host the show instead of Ruben? Also why do they always announce Clay as American Idol runner up. Directed 15 years they can drop this title. Clay has achieved more than American idol.

He has the best voice in Idol history. I hope he can record another album with all new tracks made for him. But, I heard he is leaving the entertainment industry. :(

I hope he uses his voice more in his new track. NOT JUST POLITICS, BUT ALSO IN REACHING OUT.

I always hoped that Clay Aiken would be another Barry Manilow kind of singer down the road. Is Clay Aiken still performing these days?

I have always liked Clay Aiken. Clay reminds me of Barry Manilow with his beautiful voice.

16 Fantasia Barrino Fantasia Monique Taylor, known professionally by her mononym Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actress.

She has been through so much, and here she is, sharing her music, her passion for music, this great gift God gave her. You inspire me Fantasia, and I think you inspire a lot of other people too. Good bless you.

Fantasia don't let anyone or anything stop you, girl from day 1, I've been rooting for you, please keep it up. God has you baby!

17 Katharine McPhee Katharine Hope McPhee is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. In May 2006, she was the runner-up on the fifth season of American Idol. Her self-titled debut album was released on RCA Records on January 30, 2007, and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 381,000 copies.
18 Kris Allen Kristopher Neil Allen is an American singer and songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of the eighth season of American Idol.Prior to Idol, he self-released a 2007 album entitled Brand New Shoes.Allen's Idol coronation song, "No Boundaries" and his version of "Heartless" both charted within the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Allen's post-Idol self-titled album was released on November 17, 2009, by Jive Records.

Still say Kris' career would have been better off if he didn't win. Adam blew him away and still does. Kris winning that year "broke" American Idol. That show lost all it's credibility after that. As it turns out the ones who voted for Kris didn't follow him after the show (except for the few die hards). His songs don't chart, he plays tiny venues, he's an opening act, and all his songs sound the same (and boring).

I just watched a few videos of him where he's performing as the opening act for Parachute. The audience is talking while he's singing. He only sang a few songs and a couple of them were covers. Sounds like Kris doesn't even have confidence in the music he writes. Otherwise, he'd use the opportunity to sing all of his own songs so the audience could get to know him better.

19 Ruben Studdard Christopher Ruben Studdard, is an American R&B, pop and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol and received a Grammy Award nomination in December 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Superstar".
20 Bo Bice
21 Chris Daughtry Christopher Adam "Chris" Daughtry is an American musician and actor, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Daughtry and as the fourth-place contestant on the fifth season of American Idol.

I mean COME ON, this guys music is amazing, whether it's his old heavy stuff or his newer softer stuff he's still amazing.
The world needs more people like Daughtry

22 Taylor Hicks

Thought he was funny like able and had great talent. Wish he pursued more of a singing career

23 Diana DeGarmo
24 Justin Guarini
25 Blake Lewis
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