It’s been a few months since the ABC drama started airing its latest installment, and viewers tuned in every week to see who’d emerge victorious. As Jamal, Breanna Nix and John Foster all made the Top 3, folks needed to know who would win it all in the May 18 finale. Well, after a three-hour show involving more performances and appearances from past contenders, longtime fans learned Jamal was crowned the next American Idol.
Jamal Roberts becomes the first Black man to win American Idol in 22 years — a moment producers called a historic milestone for the long-running show. His powerful voice, authenticity, and emotional backstory resonated with millions, helping to bring in a record-breaking 26 million votes for the finale — the highest in the show’s history.
Given how American Idol has been on the air for so long and Jamal follows almost two dozen past winners, fans naturally wondered how much American Idol winners get paid. As it turns out, Jamal will receive several notable perks that even the most dedicated viewers might not know about.
When season 16 champion Maddie Poppe spoke to Business Insider in 2022, she revealed American Idol winners typically receive $250,000 in prize money and a recording contract. But she clarified that the money is distributed in stages. Half is paid upfront before recording an album, and the other half after its completion — essentially an advance against future earnings, which must be recouped through sales.
Even though this might seem surprising, this wasn’t the only compensation Jamal received during his Idol run. According to a report from TV Insider, contestants are required to pay $3,000 to join the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) union. Once admitted, Jamal would have earned approximately $1,571 for each two-hour episode, $1,303 for one-hour episodes, and $910 for half-hour episodes, based on rates last updated in 2016. Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter noted that Jamal would have received a $400 weekly wardrobe allowance and got to keep his outfit selections after filming.
As for John Foster, the 18-year-old country singer from Addis, Louisiana, who came in second place, there’s no confirmed amount for what he earned. However, history shows that many Idol runners-up go on to have thriving careers. In past seasons, runners-up like Katharine McPhee, Lauren Alaina, and Adam Lambert used the momentum from the show to launch successful paths in music and entertainment. Lambert, for instance, went on to front Queen, filling the iconic shoes of Freddie Mercury.
Whether John Foster follows a similar trajectory remains to be seen, but with his blend of talent, authenticity, and charm, many fans believe he’s just getting started.
