My Favorite American Idol Contestants

1. Lauren Alaina

Actress | Lauren Alaina: Road Less Traveled

Lauren Alaina (real name Lauren Alaina Suddeth) quickly became a favorite on American Idol (2002) Season Ten's list of competitors, unique in her looks and known for her devotion to God. Born and raised in Rossville, Georgia, Lauren tapped into her talent of singing when her cousin got diagnosed ...

2. Skylar Laine

Soundtrack | American Idol: The Search for a Superstar

3. Carrie Underwood

Actress | Soul Surfer

Carrie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. She is a music artist and actress, known for Soul Surfer (2011), The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) and How I Met Your Mother (2005). She has been married to Mike Fisher since July 10, 2010. They ...

4. Kelly Clarkson

Soundtrack | The Kelly Clarkson Show

Kelly Brianne Clarkson was born on April 24, 1982 in Fort Worth, Texas and raised in Burleson, Texas to Jeanne Ann Taylor (née Rose), an English teacher & Stephen Michael Clarkson, an engineer. She was the first winner of the series American Idol in 2002. Kelly is also a strong believer in God.

5. Jordin Sparks

Actress | Sparkle

Jordin Brianna Sparks was born on December 22, 1989 in Phoenix, Arizona and raised in Glendale, Arizona & Ridgewood, New Jersey. She was born to Jodi Beth Wiedmann & Phillippi Sparks. She rose to fame in 2007 after winning the sixth season of American Idol at age 17, becoming the youngest winner in...

6. Hollie Cavanagh

Soundtrack | American Idol: The Search for a Superstar

Hollie Jessica Cavanagh is a singer who was born in Liverpool to Lorraine and Peter Cavanagh, She has two older brothers Luke and Aaron Cavanagh. She placed fourth on the eleventh season of American Idol. Cavanagh is a fan of Liverpool F.C., attended St Austin's Primary School in Aigburth and ...

7. Kellie Pickler

Soundtrack | Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Kellie Pickler was born in Albemarle, North Carolina to Cynthia Morton and Clyde "Bo" Raymond Pickler, Jr. Cynthia left when Kellie was 2 but was then granted custody for two years. Kellie was returned to her grandparents at age 12. Her father was in and out of jail throughout her childhood and she...

8. Jessica Sanchez

Soundtrack | American Idol: The Search for a Superstar

Jessica Sanchez was born on August 4, 1995 in Chula Vista, California, USA. She is an actress, known for American Idol (2002), Glee (2009) and The Clash (2018).

9. Adam Lambert

Soundtrack | 2012

Adam Lambert is a Grammy-nominated international artist, actor, philanthropist, and LGBTQ+ activist.

As the first openly gay male artist to top the Billboard album charts, Adam has released five studio albums to date, amassing more than three million album sales worldwide-all while honoring the ...

10. Shannon Magrane

Actress | Shannon Magrane: Weather

Shannon Magrane is known for Shannon Magrane: Weather (2015) and American Idol (2002).

11. David Archuleta

Actor | David Archuleta: I'm Yours

In 2008, more than 30 million television viewers fell in love with David Archuleta; with his angelic voice, bashful sweetness, and megawatt smile, over 44 million votes made him the first runner-up in Season 7 of American Idol - and a star at age 16.

Shortly after "Idol," David's first single, "...

12. Colton Dixon

Soundtrack | American Idol: The Search for a Superstar

Colton Dixon was born to Teresa and Michael Dixon and has a younger sister, Schyler Dixon. [2] He is also a devout Christian.[3] He graduated from Middle Tennessee School in 2009. Originally rising to fame as lead singer in the Christian rock band, Messenger, formed in 2010, he became a favorite ...

13. Allison Iraheta

Soundtrack | Lost Time

Allison Iraheta was born on April 27, 1992 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is an actress and composer, known for Lost Time (2014), The Short Game (2013) and Adam Lambert: If I Had You (2010).

14. Chris Daughtry

Soundtrack | Wanderlust

Chris Daughtry was born on December 26, 1979 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, USA. He is an actor, known for Wanderlust (2012), Criminal Minds (2005) and NCIS: Los Angeles (2009). He has been married to Deanna Daughtry since November 11, 2000. They have four children.

15. Diana DeGarmo

Soundtrack | American Idol: The Search for a Superstar

Diana DeGarmo, a country girl from Georgia and American Idol Season 3 Runner-Up just released her first real Country EP, "Live To Love", composed of songs she co-wrote with new fiancé Ace Young, that is digitally distributed through Jimmy Buffett's Mailboat Records. She has multiple Theatre credits...

16. Elise Testone

Soundtrack | American Idol: The Search for a Superstar

Elise Testone is known for American Idol (2002), Elise Testone: Now (2015) and Live at the Charleston Music Hall (2016).

17. Thia Megia

Actress | Days of Our Lives

Thia Megia was born on January 30, 1995 in Hayward, California, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Days of Our Lives (1965), Totally Funny (2017) and Tails of the Blue (2017).

18. Scotty McCreery

Soundtrack | American Idol: The Search for a Superstar

Scotty McCreery was born on October 9, 1993 in Garner, North Carolina, USA. He is a music artist and actor, known for American Idol (2002), Five More Minutes: Moments Like These (2022) and Five More Minutes (2021). He has been married to Gabi Dugal since June 16, 2018.

19. Jeremy Rosado

Actor | Church Folks

Jeremy Rosado is known for Church Folks (2020), Street Redemption (2016) and An Encounter with the Messiah (2015).

20. James Durbin

Actor | In the Blood

James Durbin is known for In the Blood (2019), American Idol (2002) and I Said I Will (2021). He has been married to Heidi Lowe since December 31, 2011. They have two children.

21. Haley Reinhart

Actress | F Is for Family

A timeless voice outlasts eras. It feels just as at home in the sixties as it does in the TikTok age. It also resounds louder as time goes on. Haley Reinhart brandishes such a voice. The expansive scope of her range comes into full focus on her 4th album, Lo-Fi Soul. In many ways, Haley began ...

22. Pia Toscano

Soundtrack | The Great Artist

Pia Toscano born October 14, 1988 is an American singer from Howard Beach, New York. Toscano placed ninth on the tenth season of American Idol. She was considered a frontrunner in the competition, and her elimination shocked judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler, all of whom were ...

23. DeAndre Brackensick

Soundtrack | American Idol: The Search for a Superstar

DeAndre Brackensick is known for American Idol (2002), Rock Bottom and Living Courageous with Ken Foreman (2020).

24. Crystal Bowersox

Soundtrack | American Idol: The Search for a Superstar

Crystal Bowersox was born on August 4, 1985 in Elliston, Ohio, USA. She is an actress, known for American Idol (2002), Crystal Bowersox: Farmer's Daughter (2010) and Body of Proof (2011). She has been married to Brian L. Walker since October 10, 2010.

25. Naima Adedapo

Soundtrack | American Idol: The Search for a Superstar

Is a dancer with Ko-Thi, an Afri-centric dance company She also sings with her husband in a reggae and world beat band, R.A.S. Movement.