American Idol is an American reality-singing competition series created by Simon Fuller, produced by 19 Entertainment, and distributed by FremantleMedia North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002 to April 7, 2016, as an addition to the Idols format based on the British series Pop Idol and has since become one of the most successful shows in the history of American television. On March 11, 2018, the 16th season aired on ABC.

Eventually the American people are allowed to vote by calling or texting, and the person with the fewest votes is off the show.

The TV show consists of multiple rounds of elimination. The singers can be anyone between the age of 15 and 29 years.

Host and judges
American Idol has three judges, who give comments on performances.

The three judges are: 
 Simon Cowell (Season 1-9)
 Randy Jackson (Season 1-12)
 Paula Abdul (Season 1-8)
 Kara DioGuardi (Season 8-9)
 Ellen DeGeneres (Season 9)
 Jennifer Lopez  (Season 10-11, 13-15)
 Steven Tyler (Season 10-11)
 Mariah Carey (Season 12)
 Keith Urban (Season 12-15)
 Nicki Minaj (Season 12)
 Harry Connick Jr. (Season 13-15)
 Katy Perry (Season 16-)
 Luke Bryan (Season 16-)
 Lionel Richie (Season 16-)

Host

Ryan Seacrest
Brian Dunkleman (Season 1)

Winners 
 Season 1 (2002): Kelly Clarkson
 Season 2 (2003): Ruben Studdard
 Season 3 (2004): Fantasia Barrino
 Season 4 (2005): Carrie Underwood
 Season 5 (2006): Taylor Hicks
 Season 6 (2007): Jordin Sparks
 Season 7 (2008): David Cook
 Season 8 (2009): Kris Allen
 Season 9 (2010): Lee DeWyze
 Season 10 (2011): Scotty McCreery
 Season 11 (2012): Phillip Phillips
 Season 12 (2013): Candice Glover
 Season 13 (2014): Caleb Johnson
 Season 14 (2015): Nick Fradiani
 Season 15 (2016): Trent Harmon
 Season 16 (2018): Maddie Poppe
 Season 17 (2019): Laine Hardy
 Season 18 (2020): Just Sam
 Season 19 (2021): Chayce Beckham

Runners-up
 Season 1 (2002): Justin Guarini
 Season 2 (2003): Clay Aiken
 Season 3 (2004): Diana DeGarmo
 Season 4 (2005): Bo Bice
 Season 5 (2006): Katharine McPhee
 Season 6 (2007): Blake Lewis
 Season 7 (2008): David Archuleta
 Season 8 (2009): Adam Lambert
 Season 9 (2010): Crystal Bowersox
 Season 10 (2011): Lauren Alaina
 Season 11 (2012): Jessica Sanchez
 Season 12 (2013): Kree Harrison
 Season 13 (2014): Jena Irene 
 Season 14 (2015): Clark Beckham
 Season 15 (2016): La'Porsha Renae
 Season 16 (2018): Caleb Lee Hutchinson
 Season 17 (2019): Alejandro Aranda
 Season 18 (2020): Arthur Gunn
 Season 19 (2021): Willie Spence

Third place
 Season 1 (2002): Nikki McKibbin
 Season 2 (2003): Kimberley Locke
 Season 3 (2004): Jasmine Trias
 Season 4 (2005): Vonzell Solomon
 Season 5 (2006): Elliott Yamin
 Season 6 (2007): Melinda Doolittle
 Season 7 (2008): Syesha Mercado
 Season 8 (2009): Danny Gokey
 Season 9 (2010): Casey James
 Season 10 (2011): Haley Reinhart
 Season 11 (2012): Joshua Ledet
 Season 12 (2013): Angie Miller
 Season 13 (2014): Alex Preston
 Season 14 (2015): Jax
 Season 15 (2016): Dalton Rapattoni
 Season 16 (2018): Gabby Barrett
 Season 17 (2019): Madison VanDenburg
 Season 18 (2020): Dillon James
 Season 19 (2021): Grace Kinstler

Other contestants
 Chris Daughtry
 Melinda Doolittle
 Jennifer Hudson
 Sanjaya Malakar
 Cade Fohener
 Julia Gargano

References

Other websites 

 American Idol Official website

2002 American television series debuts
2000s American television series
2010s American television series
 
Fox television series
English-language television programs