American Idol is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America.

American Idol Winners: Where Are all the Past Winners of American Idol?

Series overview

Season Premiere Finale No. of contestants No. of episodes Judges (chair order) Winner Runner-up Third place
Fox era (2002–16)
1 June 11, 2002 September 4, 2002 30 25 Simon Cowell Paula Abdul Randy Jackson Kelly Clarkson Justin Guarini Nikki McKibbin
2 January 21, 2003 May 21, 2003 36 41 Ruben Studdard Clay Aiken Kimberley Locke
3 January 19, 2004 May 26, 2004 32 44 Fantasia Barrino Diana DeGarmo Jasmine Trias
4 January 18, 2005 May 25, 2005 24 32 Carrie Underwood Bo Bice Vonzell Solomon
5 January 17, 2006 May 25, 2006 24 41 Taylor Hicks Katharine McPhee Elliott Yamin
6 January 16, 2007 May 23, 2007 24 41 Jordin Sparks Blake Lewis Melinda Doolittle
7 January 15, 2008 May 21, 2008 24 42 David Cook David Archuleta Syesha Mercado
8 January 13, 2009 May 20, 2009 36 40 Kara DioGuardi Kris Allen Adam Lambert Danny Gokey
9 January 12, 2010 May 26, 2010 24 43 Ellen DeGeneres Lee DeWyze Crystal Bowersox Casey James
10 January 19, 2011 May 25, 2011 24 39 Steven Tyler Jennifer Lopez Scotty McCreery Lauren Alaina Haley Reinhart
11 January 18, 2012 May 23, 2012 25 40 Phillip Phillips Jessica Sanchez Joshua Ledet
12 January 16, 2013 May 16, 2013 20 37 Keith Urban Nicki Minaj Mariah Carey Candice Glover Kree Harrison Angie Miller
13 January 15, 2014 May 21, 2014 20 39 Jennifer Lopez Harry Connick Jr. Caleb Johnson Jena Irene Alex Preston
14 January 7, 2015 May 13, 2015 24 30 Nick Fradiani Clark Beckham Jax
15 January 6, 2016 April 7, 2016 24 24 Trent Harmon La’Porsha Renae Dalton Rapattoni
ABC revival era (2018–present)
16 March 11, 2018 May 21, 2018 24 19 Lionel Richie Katy Perry Luke Bryan Maddie Poppe Caleb Lee Hutchinson Gabby Barrett
17 March 3, 2019 May 19, 2019 20 18 Laine Hardy Alejandro Aranda Madison VanDenburg
18 February 16, 2020 May 17, 2020 20 16 Just Sam Arthur Gunn Dillon James
Francisco Martin
Jonny West1
19 February 14, 2021 May 23, 2021 25 (34)2 19 Chayce Beckham Willie Spence Grace Kinstler
20 February 27, 2022 2022 TBA TBA