Name Every American Idol Winner & Runner-Up (2)

[B] Caleb Johnson | Rock screamer Johnson's Led Zeppelin covers revived rock winner tradition after pop dominance.

[A] Will Moseley | Moseley's traditional approach lost to Carter's contemporary sound shifting Idol's musical direction forward.

[C] Just Sam | Subway busker Sam won pandemic season, first LGBTQ winner in show's eighteen-year history.

[A] Clark Beckham | Berklee student Beckham's refined musicianship fell short against Nick's commercial radio appeal ultimately.

[D] Alejandro Aranda | Multi-instrumentalist Aranda's original compositions revolutionized Idol despite losing to traditional Laine Hardy.

[B] Noah Thompson | Construction worker Thompson's authenticity beat Nashville songwriter HunterGirl despite industry connections favoring her.

[C] Maddie Poppe | Iowa singer-songwriter Poppe won while dating runner-up Caleb, revealed during finale broadcast.

[D] Iam Tongi | Hawaiian teen Tongi's emotional tribute to late father earned most votes in show history.

[D] Jamal Roberts | Roberts' R&B fusion style modernized Idol's sound winning over traditionalist John Foster convincingly.

[D] Arthur Gunn | Nepali immigrant Gunn's raspy rock voice earned second place during historic at-home finale.

[D] Laine Hardy | Louisiana teen Hardy returned after elimination previous season, winning second chance at title.

[C] Nick Fradiani | Beach Avenue frontman Fradiani leveraged band experience beating soulful Clark Beckham narrowly overall.

[D] La'Porsha Renae | Single mother Renae's powerhouse vocals dominated season but lost finale to Trent's consistency.

[C] Megan Danielle | Georgia teenager Danielle's country style couldn't match Tongi's viral emotional connection with viewers.

[B] Jena Irene | Quirky teen Irene's alternative style lost to Caleb's classic rock despite creative originality.

[A] Kree Harrison | Harrison's emotional performances couldn't match Candice's technical precision despite strong country crossover potential.

[A] Caleb Lee Hutchinson | Country artist Hutchinson lost to girlfriend Maddie Poppe in most romantic finale ever.

[A] Trent Harmon | Mississippi farmer Harmon became final original series winner before ABC revival three years later.

[D] Willie Spence | Gospel powerhouse Spence tragically died in car accident one year after runner-up finish.

[B] Chayce Beckham | Forklift operator Beckham's gravelly voice defeated Willie's gospel runs in closest recent finale.

[A] John Foster | Classic crooner Foster's timeless vocals couldn't defeat Roberts' fresh genre-blending approach in finale.

[C] Abi Carter | Indie artist Carter's unique style broke Idol's country streak with alternative pop victory.

[C] HunterGirl | Tennessee native HunterGirl's songwriter credentials couldn't overcome Noah's blue-collar appeal with America's voters.