- Season 1 (2002): Kelly Clarkson
- Season 2 (2003): Ruben Studdard
- Season 3 (2004): Fantasia Barrino
- Season 4 (2005): Carrie Underwood
- Season 5 (2006): Taylor Hicks
- Season 6 (2007): Jordin Sparks
- Season 7 (2008): David Cook
- Season 8 (2009): Kris Allen
- Season 9 (2010): Lee DeWyze
- Season 10 (2011): Scotty McCreery
- Season 11 (2012): Phillip Phillips
- Season 12 (2013): Candice Glover
- Season 13 (2014): Caleb Johnson
- Season 14 (2015): Nick Fradiani
- Season 15 (2016): Trent Harmon
- Season 16 (2018): Maddie Poppe
- Season 17 (2019): Laine Hardy
- Season 18 (2020): Just Sam
- Season 19 (2021): Chayce Beckham
- Season 20 (2022): Noah Thompson