What Is the 2025 ‘American Idol’ Winner’s Prize? All In regards to the Previous Rewards

The 2025 American Idol winner is Jamal Roberts — who joins the ranks of previous successors like former contestant-turned-judge Carrie Underwood.

Season 23, which aired its finale on Could 18, introduced Underwood’s American Idol journey full circle, having gained the singing competitors 20 years prior in 2005. She can be the primary alum to earn a seat on the choose’s desk.

Reflecting on her victory and decades-long music profession, Underwood mentioned, “I feel again and that is a choice that modified my whole life — I don’t know the place I would be. And to see contestants get each alternative they’ve ever needed is simply magical.”

After weeks of intense competitors, Underwood, alongside her fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, witnessed Jamal be topped the subsequent American Idol winner and obtain the present’s extremely coveted grand prize, together with the possibility to report his personal album.

The title of Idol champion brings plenty of alternatives for profession progress, and in some circumstances, a hefty money prize, too — albeit, the latter has various over time. However for others, like Jennifer Hudson, the publicity alone is sufficient to catapult their profile.

So, what does the winner of American Idol get? Right here’s all the pieces to know concerning the singing competitors’s grand prize.

What does the winner of American Idol obtain?

The winner of American Idol receives a recording contract and a considerable money prize, although the quantity has modified for the reason that present began.

Chatting with Business Insider in July 2022, season 16 winner Maddie Poppe mentioned the money prize doesn’t precisely imply an individual is “set for all times.”

“You do get $250,000, however probably not due to taxes,” she mentioned. “And also you get half of it earlier than you full your report, after which the second half you get after you full the report. So it is similar to an advance from the report deal, however I am fairly positive I’ve to recoup it.”

The money portion of the grand prize has fluctuated within the a long time since American Idol first premiered. The present’s inaugural champion, Kelly Clarkson, reportedly walked away with a $1 million recording take care of RCA Data, in line with Parade. In 2012, Phillip Phillips adopted go well with when he gained season 11, per Today.

Whereas showing on the Taste of Country Nights, On Demand podcast in Could 2022, season 19 winner Chayce Beckham confirmed his money prize was beneath the earlier $1 million threshold, and that he didn’t obtain a free automotive or trophy.

What do the second and third place winners on American Idol get?

No numbers have been confirmed relating to the winnings allotted to those that end in second and third place. Nonetheless, many American Idol contestants have benefited from the present’s important publicity and gone on to construct spectacular careers.

One of many greatest names is season 3 contestant Hudson, who completed in seventh place. Since her 2003 audition, Hudson has earned the coveted title of EGOT winner, starred in a handful of flicks and launched her personal discuss present.

“Typically, you simply do not know what time you are in until you look back at it,” she advised PEOPLE in September 2024. “[I didn’t know] that may set my profession, that I may sit right here and say, 20 years later, I am nonetheless right here within the business.”

Moreover, a few of the prime names in nation music obtained their begin on American Idol. Lauren Alaina was named runner-up in season 10 in 2011, whereas Gabby Barrett got here in third place throughout season 16 in 2018. Kellie Pickler, who has produced a number of chart-topping hits, together with “Finest Days of Your Life,” completed in sixth place on season 5 of the competitors present in 2006.

American Idol season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee discovered fame after releasing her debut self-titled album in 2007.  Her résumé contains NBC’s Smash, the CBS drama Scorpion, Netflix’s Nation Consolation, The Home Bunny and extra. Waitress marked her Broadway debut in 2018.

Equally, Adam Lambert has turn into a family title after clinching second place on season 8 in 2009. He spent a decade touring with the band Queen, assuming the lead singer role as soon as held by the late Freddie Mercury. In 2024, Lamber made his Broadway debut.

How a lot do contestants on American Idol receives a commission?

In keeping with Margie Mays, who competed on seasons 17 and 18 of American Idol, contestants don’t receives a commission “till you make it to the dwell rounds.”

“After they take you to locations like Hawaii, clearly, they pay for that after which there’s issues like a per diem for, like consuming whilst you’re in Hawaii,” she defined in a November 2020 TikTok video. “However they’re not paying you to be a contestant. That’s the sacrifice you make to attempt to win.”

Throughout Hollywood Week, all bills are lined, together with lodging, transportation and meals, Mays confirmed in another TikTok the next month. The present additionally takes care of airfare for contestants who’re touring from outdoors of Los Angeles. That mentioned, contestants don’t get a paycheck for acting on American Idol.

“They are not paying you cash, however they’re paying on your bills,” Mays reiterated.

The identical might be mentioned about skilled providers, like wardrobe, hair and make-up. Contestants are on their very own up till the dwell rounds (or the High 14), then manufacturing steps in with a styling crew, per Mays.

“There will likely be stylists, hair, make-up, the entire shebang ‘trigger they really need you to go from wanting like [an] on a regular basis individual to a star and to essentially remodel from the start of the present to the tip,” she defined in a different TikTok.

In a Could 2013 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, former American Idol stylist Soyon An revealed that contestants are given a $400 wardrobe stipend per episode — something over that got here out of their very own pockets.

American Idol may additionally pay contestants to look in commercials or return for the finale episode in the event that they’ve already been let go, in line with Mays.

Who’s essentially the most profitable American Idol winner?

American Idol has launched a number of A-list stars, together with Fantasia Barrino, Jordin Sparks, Scotty McCreery, Phillips and Beckham.

Since turning into the primary American Idol winner in 2002, Clarkson has additionally held a excessive profile. She’s launched 10 studio albums and nabbed 17 Grammy nominations, three of which she gained. In 2018, Clarkson joined The Voice and appeared as a coach for 9 seasons. A yr later, she launched her Emmy award-winning daytime discuss present, The Kelly Clarkson Present. After releasing her newest album, Chemistry, she had a sold-out Las Vegas residency in 2023.

In the identical vein, after being crowned the winner of season 4 in 2005, Underwood has accrued essentially the most nominations and wins of any American Idol winner, in line with the Recording Academy. Over time, Underwood has launched 9 studio albums; acquired a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame; been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry; launched a popular fitness clothing line; helmed her personal Las Vegas residency; and written a New York Instances bestseller.

Throughout season 20 in 2022, Underwood returned to the American Idol stage as a visitor mentor. Two years later, the singer introduced she was joining the judges’ panel for season 23 — making her the primary former contestant to take action in American Idol historical past.

“I went from no one figuring out my title to tens of tens of millions of individuals watching the present,” Underwood shared in her announcement. “I’m proud of everything that I used to be capable of accomplish on the present, and I am so happy with all the pieces that I’ve achieved since.”