American Idol has made some stars, but despite its popularity, it doesn’t guarantee fame and wealth. For every successful Kelly Clarkson, there are ten contestants who disappear from the spotlight. Looking at the richest American Idol alumni, it’s clear that singing on TV can make you very rich. Some names on the list are expected, but others will surprise you!
Sanjaya Malakar


Sanjaya Malakar from Season 6 is a fascinating case in Idol’s history. Despite constant criticism from the judges, audiences adored him and he reached the Top 7. After the show, he appeared on “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here” and now has a net worth of around $300,000.
Lee DeWyze
After winning season nine, Lee DeWyze has been consistently releasing music. His album Live It Up reached the Top 20 on Billboard’s 200 chart. He has since released two more albums and earned a Teen Choice Award. His estimated net worth is $500,000.


Blake Lewis
Blake Lewis gained attention on American Idol for his soulful singing and beatboxing talents.
Despite finishing in second place, he has had a successful music career, with four album releases, including two independent ones. With a net worth around half a million, Lewis has also dedicated significant time to cancer charities.


Danny Gokey
Danny Gokey’s American Idol journey is often associated with his heartbreaking backstory.
Before the show, his wife passed away from complications related to congenital heart disease surgery. Combined with his exceptional performances, this gained him sympathy and propelled him to the top 3 of the season.
Gokey has since translated his success into a successful music career, accumulating a net worth of around $600,000.


William Hung
William Hung is arguably the most recognized contestant in American Idol’s history.
Despite not winning or making it to the actual competition, his off-key audition of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” went viral and led to a short-lived record deal.
His album even reached the Top 30. Nowadays, Hung is a motivational speaker with an estimated net worth of around $600,000.


Justin Guarini
Justin Guarini may be best known as the runner-up to Kelly Clarkson in Idol’s first season, as well as his involvement in the film From Justin to Kelly and only producing two albums. However, in the past 15 years, he has established a flourishing and financially prosperous career on Broadway, accumulating a net worth of $700,000.


Constantine Maroulis
Since finishing in sixth place on Idol’s fourth season, Constantine Maroulis has dabbled in various ventures. He has released albums, acted in television and films, and achieved success on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for his role in Rock of Ages. Maroulis’ net worth is estimated to be around $750,000.


Lauren Alaina
After placing second on season 10 of American Idol, Alaina has emerged as one of the biggest stars in country music over the past decade. With two successful albums, several hit singles, and headlining tours and festivals nationwide, she has accumulated a net worth of nearly $900,000.


Ace Young
Don’t underestimate Ace Young’s journey! Despite finishing in seventh place on American Idol and experiencing a setback with his solo album, he has found remarkable success.
His talent for songwriting has led him to write songs for notable artists like fellow American Idol alum Chris Daughtry.
Additionally, Young has graced the Broadway stage, performing in renowned productions such as Grease, Hair, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Currently, he proudly boasts a net worth of $1 million.


Nick Fradiani
Nick Fradiani emerged as the victor of season 14, capturing hearts with his song “Beautiful Life.”
This single soared to great heights, even becoming the official anthem of the Women’s World Cup in 2015. Following his triumph, he released his album, Hurricane, in 2016, and ventured into new territory with an EP in 2017 after parting ways with his record label.
While his estimated net worth stands at $1 million, there is immense potential for growth. With a fresh musical direction and the unwavering support of his former bandmates, Nick Fradiani is poised for a promising ascent in his career.


Caleb Jonhson
Caleb Johnson continues to thrive in his true passion of creating music. Ever since his triumphant victory in season 13, the rocker has unleashed two albums: Testify and Born from Southern Ground. With his dedication to the craft, Johnson has managed to amass an estimated net worth of $1 million, a testament to his talent and hard work.


Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks, the winner of season five, has proven to have enduring appeal. His debut album made a remarkable entry at No. 2 on the Billboard charts, showcasing his musical prowess.
In addition, he charmed audiences as Teen Angel during his tenure from 2008 to 2009, captivating audiences both on Broadway and during the national tour.
Currently, Hicks graces the screen as the host of the INSP show State Plate, where he explores the world of farm-to-table cuisine.
With his engaging presence and passion for food, he has carved a niche for himself in the culinary realm. As a testament to his achievements, Hicks is reported to have a net worth of $2 million.


Ruben Studdard
Ruben Studdard has undeniably achieved remarkable success since his American Idol days.
His journey not only involved shedding an impressive 119 pounds, but his debut album also witnessed an astonishing feat, selling over 400,000 copies within its first week of release!
In addition, Studdard has continued to share his musical gifts by delivering six more albums, captivating audiences on stage through his appearances in plays and musicals.
With his numerous accomplishments, Studdard’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $3 million.


Kris Allen
Kris Allen, post his American Idol journey, has impressively launched three complete albums. His debut album alone garnered tremendous success, selling over 300,000 copies and spawning five songs that made appearances on the Billboard Hot 100. Building on this achievement, Allen continued to captivate listeners by releasing four more albums. With his accomplishments, he has amassed an estimated net worth of $3.5 million.


Scotty McCreery
Scotty McCreery, the young singer with an astonishingly deep and powerful voice, has flourished since his American Idol journey.
He has impressed the music world with the release of four albums, which collectively sold over two million copies in just a few years.
Notably, his album Clear as Day achieved platinum status, marking a remarkable success.
Reports suggest that McCreery’s net worth stands at $5 million, a prosperous foundation that he can share with his wife, Gabi Dugal, whom he married on June 16, 2018.


Phillip Phillips
Phillip Phillips, known for his intriguing name, has made significant strides in his music career, boasting three albums to date.
His debut album, released in 2012, surpassed a million copies sold and peaked at an impressive
No. 4 on the U.S. charts. His most renowned track, “Home,” rightfully holds the distinction of being the best-selling song in American Idol history.
As of today, Phillips has net worth of $3.5 million.


David Cook
Following his triumph as the winner of the seventh season, David Cook embarked on a remarkable journey.
His appropriately titled debut album, “David Cook,” achieved platinum status, solidifying his immense success.
With not just one, but two songs that reached the Billboard Top 20, it comes as no surprise that Cook’s reported net worth amounts to approximately $5 million.
Such achievements and financial prosperity rightfully place Cook among the industry’s notable figures.


David Archuleta
David Archuleta has been quite busy since his time on the show. He has released six studio albums and sold over one million copies since season seven.
His debut album reached an impressive No. 2 spot on the U.S. Billboard charts. In 2015 alone, he earned an estimated $1 million.
With a net worth of $5 million, it’s likely that he generously donates to various charitable projects.
Archuleta’s commitment to giving back is evident, as he took a two-year break from music in 2012 to serve as a missionary in Chile.


Kellie Pickler
Despite not winning American Idol, Kellie Pickler has emerged as one of the show’s most accomplished alumni.
With four solo albums under her belt, one of which achieved gold status in the United States, Pickler has proven her musical prowess. Additionally, she has captivated the attention of reality TV show enthusiasts as the winner of Dancing with the Stars.
She also co-hosts a daytime talk show called Pickler and Ben alongside comedian Ben Aaron. With these achievements, Pickler’s current net worth is estimated at $5 million.


Fantasia
Since her victory in season three, Fantasia Barrino has gifted the world with four albums. Her debut album alone garnered an impressive 1.8 million copies sold. Additionally, she garnered immense acclaim for her performance in the popular musical The Color Purple. With a net worth of $5 million, Fantasia’s success speaks for itself.


Elliot Yamin
Elliot Yamin, who secured a third-place finish in the fifth season of American Idol, has maintained a steady career in the music industry.
Although he may not have achieved a major hit, Yamin has released nine albums that garnered moderate success.
As a result, he has accumulated a net worth of around $6 million. Notably, Yamin, being a diabetic himself, has shown great dedication to diabetes charities, generously contributing his time and financial resources.


Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken, despite not winning the show, has proven himself to be a lucrative success story. With six studio albums, nine major tours, and even a run for Congress, Aiken has achieved substantial financial success. His estimated net worth of $7 million grants him the freedom to enjoy his wealth as he pleases.


Katharine McPhee
Katharine McPhee stands out as one of the wealthiest American Idol alumni, despite not winning the competition.
As the runner-up in the show’s fifth year, she has released two albums and ventured into the world of movies and TV shows.
Notably, she showcased her talent with a leading role in the TV series Smash.
Through these accomplishments, McPhee’s net worth has reached an impressive estimate of $8 million.


Chris Daughtry
Despite placing fourth in the fifth season of the show, Chris Daughtry has achieved remarkable success.
His debut album, recorded with his band Daughtry, swiftly sold over a million copies within five weeks. This achievement significantly contributed to his impressive net worth of $10 million, solidifying him as one of the most prosperous contestants from the show.
Daughtry’s journey serves as a reminder that winning isn’t necessarily the sole measure of success.


Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks, the youngest winner of the show, achieved remarkable success beyond her American Idol victory.
With platinum-selling hits like “No Air,” “Tattoo,” and “Battlefield,” she made her mark in the music industry.
In addition to her music career, Sparks ventured into movies and Broadway, making her debut in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights as Nina.
These endeavors have contributed to her impressive net worth of $10 million.


Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson has achieved incredible success since her time on the show.
Winning an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her role in Dreamgirls, and a Grammy for her debut album, she has amassed a net worth of approximately $20 million.


Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert’s journey on American Idol as the season-eight runner-up is still remembered as one of the show’s biggest upsets.
Even the winner, Kris Allen, acknowledged Adam’s deserving talent.
However, the loss didn’t hinder Adam’s rise to stardom.
He has emerged as the show’s most prominent star since Carrie Underwood.
With three albums, including one that achieved platinum status, numerous guest judging appearances on TV shows, and a remarkable tour with Queen, Adam has solidified his success.
His current net worth is estimated at $16 million, and it is expected to continue growing.


Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson’s post-show success has been nothing short of remarkable.
With over 20 million albums sold worldwide, she has solidified her position as one of the highest-selling American Idol alumni.
Remarkably, Kelly is also the only contestant from the show to have an album reach No. 1 in the United Kingdom.
Her incredible achievements have contributed to an estimated net worth of $28 million, making her the second highest-earning individual from the show, just behind Carrie Underwood.


Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood, crowned the “most successful” American Idol winner by Forbes, has achieved remarkable financial success.
With a reported net worth exceeding $85 million, she has amassed a fortune that could potentially allow her to acquire American Idol and host her own show.
Her impressive accolades include seven Grammy Awards, 10 Billboard Music Awards, and a multi-platinum album.
Carrie’s continuous success in the industry shows no signs of slowing down, which is either exciting or polarizing depending on your stance on country music.


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