American Idol

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
Season 20 (2022): Noah Thompson
Season 21 (2023): Iam Tongi
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
Season 20 (2022): HunterGirl
Season 21 (2023): Megan Danielle
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
Season 20 (2022): Leah Marlene
Season 21 (2023): Colin Stough
Other contestants
Chris Daughtry
Melinda Doolittle
Jennifer Hudson
Sanjaya Malakar
Marybeth Byrd
Haven Madison
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