Smallscreen News

American Idol past nine winners, video previews

By April MacIntyre Nov 19, 2010, 7:16 GMT

11/10/2010 - Carrie Underwood - 44th Annual CMA Awards - Arrivals - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN, USA © Bob Charlotte / PR Photos

Revisit all the past American Idols: 

·       Season One: KELLY CLARKSON – BURLESON, TX

·       Season Two: RUBEN STUDDARD – BIRMINGHAM, AL

·       Season Three: FANTASIA BARRINO – HIGH POINT, NC

·       Season Four: CARRIE UNDERWOOD – CHECOTAH, OK

·       Season Five: TAYLOR HICKS – BIRMINGHAM, AL

·       Season Six: JORDIN SPARKS – GLENDALE, AZ

·       Season Seven: DAVID COOK – BLUE SPRINGS, MO

·       Season Eight: KRIS ALLEN – LITTLE ROCK, AR

·       Season Nine: LEE DEWYZE – MT. PROSPECT, IL

"Idol" returns in January on FOX

American Idol judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Randy Jackson with host Ryan Seacrest.

Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, television’s No. 1 hit series empowers contestants and viewers to share their voices in deciding who will be America’s next singing superstar. This new season promises to deliver amazing, undiscovered talent with plenty of surprises along the way.

Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls from across the nation audition for a shot at stardom. The show’s judges travel across the country in search of the next American Idol. They winnow down the competitors to a select group of semifinalists who sing their hearts out each week in front of a studio audience and television viewers.

The judges have their say after every performance, but it’s the viewing public that determines who will advance to the next round of competition and who will go home. Voting via telephone and text-messaging begins immediately after each performance show, and the results are announced during the following night’s broadcast.

Eventually the competition is narrowed down to two finalists who compete for a major recording contract and the title. Past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze, as well as fan-favorites Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry, have all become household names and made their mark on the recording industry.

Kelly

Ruben

Fantasia

Carrie