Christopher Willard/Disney via Getty The 2025American Idolwinner isJamal Roberts— who joins the ranks of past successors like former contestant-turned-judgeCarrie Underwood. Season 23, which aired its finale on May 18, brought Underwood'sAmerican Idoljourney full circle, having won the singing competition 20 years prior in 2005. She is also the first alum to earn a seat at the judge's table. Reflecting on her victoryand decades-long music career, Underwood said, "I think back and that's a decision that changed my entire life — I have no idea where I'd be. And to see contestants get every opportunity they've ever wanted is just magical." After weeks of intense competition, Underwood, alongside her fellow judgesLuke BryanandLionel Richie, witnessed Jamal be crowned the nextAmerican Idolwinner and receive the show's highly coveted grand prize, including the chance to record his own album. The title ofIdolchampion brings a lot of opportunities for career growth, and in some cases, a hefty cash prize, too — albeit, the latter has varied over the years. But for others, likeJennifer Hudson, the exposure alone is enough to catapult their profile. So, what does the winner ofAmerican Idolget? Here's everything to know about the singing competition's grand prize. Disney/Eric McCandless The winner ofAmerican Idolreceives a recording contract and a substantial cash prize, though the amount has changed since the show started. Speaking toBusiness Insiderin July 2022, season 16 winner Maddie Poppe said the cash prize doesn't exactly mean a person is "set for life." "You do get $250,000, but not really because of taxes," she said. "And you get half of it before you complete your record, and then the second half you get after you complete the record. So it's just like an advance from the record deal, but I'm pretty sure I have to recoup it." The cash portion of the grand prize has fluctuated in the decades sinceAmerican Idolfirst premiered. The show's inaugural champion,Kelly Clarkson, reportedly walked away with a $1 million recording deal with RCA Records, according toParade. In 2012,Phillip Phillipsfollowed suit when he won season 11, perToday. While appearing on theTaste of Country Nights, On Demandpodcast in May 2022, season 19 winnerChayce Beckhamconfirmed his cash prize was under the previous $1 million threshold, and that he did not receive a free car or trophy. Disney/Christopher Willard No numbers have been confirmed regarding the winnings allotted to those who finish in second and third place. However, manyAmerican Idolcontestants have benefited from the show's significant exposure and gone on to build impressive careers. One of the biggest names is season 3 contestant Hudson, who finished in seventh place. Sinceher 2003 audition, Hudson has earned the coveted title ofEGOT winner, starred in a handful of movies and launched her own talk show. "Sometimes, you just don't know what time you're inuntil you look back at it," she told PEOPLE in September 2024. "[I didn't know] that would set my career, that I could sit here and say, 20 years later, I'm still here in the industry." Additionally, some of the top names in country music got their start onAmerican Idol.Lauren Alainawas named runner-up in season 10 in 2011, whileGabby Barrettcame in third place during season 16 in 2018.Kellie Pickler, who has produced multiple chart-topping hits, including "Best Days of Your Life," finished in sixth place on season 5 of the competition show in 2006. American Idolseason 5 runner-upKatharine McPheefound fame after releasing her debut self-titled album in 2007. Her résumé includes NBC'sSmash, the CBS dramaScorpion, Netflix'sCountry Comfort,The House Bunnyand more.Waitressmarked her Broadway debut in 2018. Similarly,Adam Lamberthas become a household name after clinching second place on season 8 in 2009. He spent a decade touring with the band Queen,assuming the lead singer roleonce held by the lateFreddie Mercury. In 2024, Lamber made his Broadway debut. Kevin Winter/Getty; FOX via Getty According to Margie Mays, who competed on seasons 17 and 18 ofAmerican Idol, contestants don't get paid "until you make it to the live rounds." "When they take you to places like Hawaii, obviously, they pay for that and then there's things like a per diem for, like eating while you're in Hawaii," she explained in a November 2020TikTok video. "But they're not paying you to be a contestant. That's the sacrifice you make to try to win." During Hollywood Week, all expenses are covered, including lodging, transportation and food, Maysconfirmed in another TikTokthe following month. The show also takes care of airfare for contestants who are traveling from outside of Los Angeles. That said, contestants don't get a paycheck for performing onAmerican Idol. "They're not paying you money, but they are paying for your expenses," Mays reiterated. The same can be said about professional services, like wardrobe, hair and makeup. Contestants are on their own up until the live rounds (or the Top 14), then production steps in with a styling team, per Mays. "There will be stylists, hair, makeup, the whole shebang 'cause they really want you to go from looking like [an] everyday person to a star and to really transform from the beginning of the show to the end," she explained in adifferent TikTok. In a May 2013 interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, formerAmerican Idolstylist Soyon An revealed that contestants are given a $400 wardrobe stipend per episode — anything over that came out of their own pockets. American Idolmay also pay contestants to appear in commercials or return for the finale episode if they've already been let go, according to Mays. Steve Granitz/WireImage American Idolhas launched several A-list stars, including Fantasia Barrino,Jordin Sparks,Scotty McCreery, Phillips and Beckham. Since becoming the firstAmerican Idolwinner in 2002, Clarkson has also held a high profile. She's released 10 studio albums and nabbed 17 Grammy nominations, three of which she won. In 2018, Clarkson joinedThe Voiceand appeared as a coach for nine seasons. A year later, she launched her Emmy award-winning daytime talk show,The Kelly Clarkson Show. After releasing her latest album,Chemistry, she had asold-out Las Vegas residencyin 2023. In the same vein, after beingcrowned the winnerof season 4 in 2005, Underwood has accrued the most nominations and wins of anyAmerican Idolwinner, according to theRecording Academy. Over the years, Underwood has released nine studio albums; received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry;launched a popular fitness clothing line; helmed her ownLas Vegas residency; and written aNew York Timesbestseller. During season 20 in 2022, Underwood returned to theAmerican Idolstage as a guest mentor. Two years later, the singer announcedshe was joining the judges' panelfor season 23 — making her the first former contestant to do so inAmerican Idolhistory. "I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show," Underwood shared in her announcement. "I'm proud of everythingthat I was able to accomplish on the show, and I'm so proud of everything that I've accomplished since." Read the original article onPeople
