51 of the Richest ‘American Idol’ Contestants, Ranked

Since it first premiered in June 2002, “American Idol” quickly became not only a cultural icon, but also a show that churned out a number of lasting cultural icons. So many up-and-coming singers have used the show to showcase their talents to its millions of fans. And many of those fans have remained loyal to the singers and whatever other projects they’ve ventured into ever since.

While several of these alums were first-place winners, it might surprise you how much money a number of other finalists actually earn — making them winners in our book. Here are the richest “American Idol” contestants to ever grace the show, ranked in order of their net worth. 

Net worth: $300,000

‘American Idol’ season: Season 6 (2007)

‘American Idol’ placement: Top 7 

Note: All net worths are calculated by Celebrity Net Worth unless otherwise noted. Many endorsement deals and social media sponsorships aren’t public knowledge, so these are overall numbers based on all known income sources for the artists. 

Sanjaya Malakar was just a teen when he gained notoriety on “Idol” for his lackluster song renditions and being perpetually in Simon Cowell’s crosshairs. 

That didn’t stop him from seeking the spotlight after the show was over. He later took part in “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!” and wrote an autobiography about his experiences after “Idol.”

Malakar moved to New York City and worked as a bartender, then moved back to his hometown of Seattle, Washington, where he continues to work on his music. He most recently released two cover albums.

We don’t want to be mean by using the word “lackluster” twice, but it’s undeniable that Malakar’s performances were missing some pizazz. That said, his most spirited performance may have been to Van Halen’s “You Really Got Me.” 

For it, Malakar got close to both the judges and the audience, clearly making an effort to bring in more energy and personality to his rendition of the classic. He even makes a girl in the audience, Ashley, cry from alleged excitement.

Net worth: $300,000

‘American Idol’ season: Season 16 (2018) 

‘American Idol’ placement: Winner