Name Every American Idol Winner & Runner-Up (1)

[A] Blake Lewis | Beatboxer Blake's innovative performances earned runner-up despite judges favoring Melinda Doolittle technically.

[A] Lee DeWyze | Paint salesman DeWyze's victory marked lowest-rated finale as judges championed Crystal Bowersox instead.

[C] Taylor Hicks | Soul Patrol leader Hicks shocked viewers beating favorites Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee.

[D] Carrie Underwood | Farm girl Underwood won seven Grammys, becoming Idol's most commercially successful winner ever.

[A] Kelly Clarkson | Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" dominated charts while fellow finalists stayed relatively unknown commercially.

[D] Justin Guarini | Guarini's Broadway career flourished post-Idol, unlike his pop attempts with Kelly Clarkson collaborations.

[A] Phillip Phillips | White guy with guitar Phillips continued Idol tradition, selling five million "Home" singles.

[A] Katharine McPhee | McPhee pivoted to acting post-Idol, starring in "Smash" while winner Taylor toured.

[B] Bo Bice | Rocker Bice's Southern rock style contrasted sharply with country princess Carrie's wholesome image.

[C] Scotty McCreery | Country crooner McCreery's deep voice at sixteen earned platinum debut surpassing recent winners.

[B] Ruben Studdard | The "Velvet Teddy Bear" edged Clay by 130,000 votes in closest finale ever.

[D] Kris Allen | Arkansas underdog Allen's upset victory surprised judges who openly preferred theatrical Adam Lambert.

[C] Lauren Alaina | Teen Alaina's country charm fell short against Scotty's bass voice in all-country finale.

[C] Clay Aiken | Aiken outsold winner Ruben with double platinum debut despite losing fan vote narrowly.

[B] Fantasia Barrino | Fantasia's emotional "Summertime" performance secured victory over three powerhouse female finalists that year.

[C] David Archuleta | Seventeen-year-old Archuleta's pure vocals couldn't overcome Cook's edgier appeal with voting audience.

[B] Jessica Sanchez | Sanchez's powerhouse vocals earned standing ovations but couldn't defeat Phillips' Dave Matthews appeal.

[C] Adam Lambert | Lambert lost but outsold winner Kris Allen by millions, proving America doesn't always choose right.

[D] Candice Glover | Glover's flawless vocals finally won after two previous eliminations in earlier Idol seasons.

[D] Jordin Sparks | Seventeen-year-old Sparks became youngest winner, launching career with Grammy-nominated "No Air" duet.

[B] David Cook | Bar rocker Cook's contemporary arrangements beat teen sensation Archuleta by twelve million votes.

[A] Diana DeGarmo | DeGarmo became youngest runner-up at sixteen, later marrying fifth season finalist Ace Young.

[D] Crystal Bowersox | Dreadlocked Bowersox's bluesy authenticity couldn't overcome DeWyze's everyman appeal in controversial finale decision.