While popularity in the singing competition has waned over the years, you can’t argue

the success of American Idol. It can be a great platform to jumpstart a career or even

wager on the age of the winner. Yes, you can place bets on how old the winner of the

22nd edition of the reality series will be. As part of the show’s eligibility requirements,

you can enter if you’re as young as 15 or as old as 28 and anything in-between.

26+ (+160)

There have been just three winners in this age range through the first 21 seasons of

American Idol in Taylor Hicks, Nick Fradiani and Trent Harmon. It is kind of surprising

that there have been so few winners from this category due to the maturity of their

voices and talents. Some have been traveling singers for quite some time like Hicks,

who released 2 indie albums prior to his Idol win. Or they may already be TV ready like

Harmon who appeared on The Voice and Fradiani who took the stage as the frontman

for his band on America’s Got Talent.

At the same time, there is less to mold for the judges and mentors that are brought in

during the season. It’s worth noting that runner-ups in both Bo Bice from season four

and Adam Lambert from season eight fell into this age category as well.

21-25 (+180)

Historically, this age group has been the most successful when it comes to naming the

next American Idol. The early twenties have produced 11 winners since the show’s

inception with winners such as Ruben Studdard, David Cook and country superstar

Carrie Underwood. There have also been 12 runner-ups in this age range which also

includes Katharine McPhee who parlayed her singing career into an acting one as well.

15-20 (+210)

With the second most winners is the 15-20 age range which produced the first-ever

American Idol in Kelly Clarkson. It’s tough because at this range, the contestants are

still finding out who they are as artists and are evolving as a singer. That being said,

age doesn’t matter when it comes to talent.

Fantasia was just 19 when she won in season 3 and would go one to collect a Grammy

award and even a Golden Globe nomination this year for her role in “The Color Purple”.

There has yet to be a winner under the age of 17 as both Jodin Sparks and Scotty

McCreery collected their wins prior to turning 18.