The second episode of “American Idol” season 24 opened with an inspiring message on February 2, 2026, narrated at first by multiple new contestants on the show, then joined by the voices of seven recent winners: Laine Hardy, Maddie Poppe, Chayce Beckham, Noah Thompson, Iam Tongi, Abi Carter, and Jamal Roberts.
As they each recited lines, reminding future contestants that they’re taking “one huge step in the direction of your dreams,” as Thompson said, producers showed footage of each winner’s first moments on “American Idol” and then video of their big wins. Samantha “Just Sam” Diaz was the only winner not to voice a line of the message, but footage of her was still featured.
So, where are all those winners now, who were victorious on the seasons that have aired since ABC took over “American Idol” in 2018? Here’s an update on each one!
Where is Maddie Poppe? — ‘American Idol’ Season 16 Winner
Since Maddie Poppe won season 16 of “American Idol,” beating out her then-boyfriend and runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson, whom she met on the show, the Iowa native has kept busy and found new love. Though she dated Hutchinson for several years, Poppe revealed in August 2025 that she’d been with guitarist Gabe Burdulis for six months, and they appear to still be together.
Musically, Poppe continues to tour regularly, including with fellow “Idol” winner David Cook and her annual Christmas shows. In September 2025, she released a single of “Rainbow Connection,” noting that fans have continually requested it ever since she performed her rendition on “American Idol.”
Where is Laine Hardy? — ‘American Idol’ Season 17 Winner
Four months after becoming a first-time dad, 24-year-old Laine Hardy became a husband, too. The season 17 “American Idol” winner married former New Orleans Saints cheerleader Jordan Gautreau in front of friends and family on June 20, 2025.
Hardy, a Lousiana native, and Gautreau welcomed their son Hollis James on February 21, 2025, at 1:23 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces. The country singer last released new music just before that, in January 2025, with the single “Back of My Mind.”
Where is Samantha ‘Just Sam’ Diaz? — ‘American Idol’ Season 18 Winner
DisneyThe singer known best as Just Sam has had a rocky road since winning the show in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. Diaz returned to busking in the New York subway system after backing out of the record deal that came with the win explaining in a Washington Post profile that it was a financially crushing decision.
The soulful singer did return to the show in 2024, performing on the “Idol” stage for the first time. And in August 2025, Diaz became a mom — though the baby’s gender and name has not been revealed.
Where is Chayce Beckham? — ‘American Idol’ Season 19 Winner
Rising country star Chayce Beckham has been on the road and climbing the charts ever since winning “American Idol.” But in September 2025, he did take a break to get married! The California native said “I Do” with his longtime girlfriend Ashley Britt, they revealed in a joint social media post, fulfilling their dream of getting married in Vegas. In November, he released “Holdin’ You, Lovin’ You,” a heartfelt love song dedicated to his new wife.
Beckham has toured extensively with “American Idol” judge Luke Bryan and was one of seven artists named to the Opry NextStage program in 2025, per American Songwriter.
Where is Noah Thompson? — ‘American Idol’ Season 20 Winner
Thompson was the second country artist in a row to win “American Idol” in 2022, beating out dear friend and fellow country artist HunterGirl. Though he moved to Nashville and signed with the show’s record label, 19 Entertainment, the label confirmed with EntertainmentNow in May 2024 that they’d parted ways with Thompson.
The single dad has gone on to release music and tour independently, bravely opening up in his music about previous struggles with alcohol dependency and a tough upbringing. In September 2025, he released his single “Find Em in a Bar.”
Where is Iam Tongi — ‘American Idol’ Season 21 Winner
DisneyIam Tongi has gone from a shy teenager mourning the loss of his dad during his viral “American Idol” audition to a global sensation — and he’s engaged, too! The season 21 winner and Hawaii native is on the road all the time, packing venues and festivals. He scored a huge hit in 2025 with his remake of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” for Disney’s new “Lilo & Stitch” movie.
In addition, Tongi has been on a major health journey, losing over 100 pounds, and he proposed to his longtime girlfriend Leah in December 2025.
Where is Abi Carter? — ‘American Idol’ Season 22 Winner
Abi Carter has been busy spreading her wings since her 2024 win. In between shows on her first-ever U.S. tour in 2025, told EntertainmentNOW that after winning “Idol,” she made the bold choice not to pursue a record deal with the show’s label and to use the money she won to set herself up as an independent artist.
“I just kind of realized that I wanted to figure out who I was and what I wanted to be,” she said at the time. “It was a good decision to kind of take a step back and give myself that chance to figure it out on my own and see, you know, who I am at my core.”
Carter has continued to tour and release new music, and performed one of her new songs on “American Idol” in 2025.
Where is Jamal Roberts? — ‘American Idol’ Season 23 Winner
The better question might where isn’t Jamal Roberts! The Mississippi dad has been on fire ever since his big win in 2025, releasing new music, touring with Monica and Brandy, singing the national anthem at the NCAA football championship game, and nabbing his first-ever Grammy nomination.
Though Roberts and gospel singer Jonathan McReynolds didn’t win the trophy for their live duet of “Still,” the dad of three girls has plenty of good things planned for 2026. On January 31, he released his latest single — the upbeat “Head Up.”
