As for the eventual victor, they walk away with $125,000 for winning the show and are signed to a recording contract. Per AmericanSongwriter, the record company typically gives the winner a $300,000 advance as a recording budget, but that is then paid back via future earnings.

Four Arizonans will compete on "American Idol" Season 23. It premieres on March 9 with Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

American Idol' has plenty of well-known faces — but did you know some of the singers have come from famous families? See who has a celeb connection

American Idol contestant Doug Kiker has died at age 32. The singer's sister, Angela Evans, shared the news with a Facebook post on Wednesday, writing, "It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of my brother Douglas Kiker.

Douglas Kiker, a contestant on “American Idol” Season 18 who memorably moved series judge Katy Perry to tears with his audition performance, has died. He was 32 years old. Kiker’s sisters, Angela Evans and Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez,

Douglas Kiker, a former contestant on “American Idol” who was known as the “Singing Garbage Man,” has died at the age of 32, according to his family. “It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of my brother Douglas Kiker,

American Idol' contestant Doug Kiker has died. He was 32. The singing competition alum's family confirmed his death on Facebook. Doug, known as 'The Singing Garbage Man,' brought judge Katy Perry to tears with his rendition of Rascal Flatts' 'Bless the Broken Road' during his audition for season 18 in 2019.