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How 'American Idol' Prizes Have Changed Through the Years
Explore how 'American Idol' prizes, like cash and record deals, have changed from Kelly Clarkson's win to Jamal Roberts in 2025
In addition to the cash prize and contract, Clarkson and runner-up Justin Guarini both got a free vacation to Turks and Caicos following the season 1 finale. From Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood and beyond, see which singers have beat thousands of other contenders to win a recording contract on the Fox talent competition Season 16 winner Maddie Poppe revealed in a 2022 interview with Business Insider that winning the show doesn’t get a contestant “set for life.”
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