Debuting on tv screens in June 2002, “American Idol“ rapidly grew to become one of many most-watched reveals in the US. Viewers not solely loved watching a program the place the competitors was fierce, however one the place they might witness the goals of younger singers come to life. “It was very inspiring for folks to come back collectively and root for the underdog, or root for an everyday individual,” season eight alum Adam Lambert shared with Leisure Weekly. “I believe as a present it would all the time be remembered as this type of superb tv and music occasion.”

For a lot of “American Idol” contestants, nevertheless, the present served as a launching pad for his or her careers, as each winners and runners-up have been supplied file offers shortly after their seasons ended. Such stars rapidly rose to fame with the discharge of their very own music, speak present appearances, and nationwide excursions. For these causes, we won’t thank the competitors present sufficient for bringing us a few of our favourite artists.

However simply what do singers like Carrie Underwood and Tori Kelly seem like when the cameras aren’t rolling? Or once they’re stress-free at dwelling as a substitute of belting out chords on stage? Whereas we won’t deny the fabulousness of a totally made-up face, we simply know our “American Idol” favorites are simply as naturally lovely as they’re proficient. Spoiler alert, they’re!

Singer and talk-show host Kelly Clarkson is not any stranger to the make-up chair, because the star has been sporting delicate glam for the digital camera since successful the primary season of “American Idol.” Nevertheless, Clarkson’s off-duty look is the one which she prefers essentially the most: a completely contemporary face and not using a sew of cosmetics in sight. “I do not even personal make-up in my home,” the singer admitted on an episode of her present. “Somebody was like ‘do you could have—?’ No, I do not,” (through NBC).

In a video posted to her Instagram on June 2, 2023, Clarkson confirmed off her pure complexion as she mentioned some upcoming reveals. Along with her hair pulled away from her face and styled in two pigtails, followers have been actually in a position to admire her rosy cheeks, glowing eyes, and fluffy brows. “BTW you are a wonderful younger girl with out all that make-up on,” one remark learn.

Whereas we might not know all the things about Kelly Clarkson’s new music plans, one factor is for certain: the singer completely glows from the within out. But the rationale behind Clarkson’s radiant pores and skin can’t be present in a bottle, however is somewhat credited to how her mom spoke to her as a baby. “[My mom] was by no means like, ‘Oh, you are essentially the most lovely lady ever!’ She by no means targeted on that,” Clarkson revealed to Individuals. “And I believe that my mother complimented me in the easiest way rising up that wasn’t about aesthetics. It was about what’s taking place inside and your character.”

2025 began off with a bang for “American Idol” alum Jennifer Hudson, as each the singer and her in style speak present have been acknowledged by the NAACP Picture Awards. You learn that proper, not solely was Hudson herself put up for Excellent Host in a Speak or Information/Info Collection or Particular (on prime of changing into an EGOT winner, may we add), however her present, The Jennifer Hudson Present, was nominated for Excellent Speak Collection.

To commemorate the second, the star and her crew did what they know methods to do greatest: rejoice with a particular music and dance simply as they do for his or her celeb company. Besides this time, it was Hudson who made her approach down the workplace hallway, wanting fresh-faced and fabulous as her employees cheered “NAACP.” The jubilant second was in actual fact captured and later posted to Hudson’s Instagram, the place followers and followers have been fast to note her pure, clean, and glowing complexion. “Okay is she rocking no make-up proper now,” one remark learn. “Now that is superb. And she or he is of course lovely,” one other fan wrote.

In a 2020 interview with The Strategist, Jennifer Hudson revealed how essential skincare routine is to her. “I began utilizing retinol just a few years in the past — I am unable to bear in mind precisely when — and have been very in line with it,” she defined. “I have not stopped as a result of it actually makes a giant distinction in my pores and skin.”

Since successful “American Idol” S4, Carrie Underwood has taken the music business by storm, successful over 100 main awards and promoting almost 15 million albums in the US alone. She is one among nation music’s most profitable and notable feminine artists, so it is no marvel that Underwood is inevitably certain to look her greatest regardless of the place she goes. “I will all the time placed on just a little eyeshadow, just a little liner and mascara, and I am good to go,” the singer shared with Individuals. “If I am going someplace, I all the time suppose, ‘Anyone’s going to see me and need to take an image with me,’ which is absolutely nice, however I hate it after I see the photographs later after I wasn’t carrying any make-up in any respect.”

We will not essentially rely the instances Carrie Underwood went makeup-free, we have been in a position to catch a glimpse of her pure and unequalled magnificence through an Instagram put up. That is proper, smiling with a glass of wine and awaiting a brand new episode of American Idol, the singer showcased her glass-like pores and skin, peachy cheeks, and full lips through a surprising selfie, and followers have been fast to rave about her fresh-faced look within the remark part under. “Dang lady you might be such a pure magnificence no make-up no nothing,” one follower wrote. “If I regarded that beautiful, I might by no means put on make-up. Thanks for being actual,” one other praised.

Often known as the youngest contestant to ever win a season of “American Idol,” Jordin Sparks grew to become influential for many who had the pleasure of following her journey. That is why when the singer was requested to take part within the TODAY Present’s No Make-up Monday, she was fast to leap on board. Sparks not solely hopes to encourage her followers and followers to pursue their goals, however to embrace their pure magnificence. “As girls, I do know it will get powerful if you turn into used to a sure look or routine. However we must always understand that we must always really feel snug and assured in who we’re with or with out [makeup],” Sparks wrote in an essay impressed by TODAY’s “Love Your Selfie” collection. “If something, making an attempt a no make-up week made me extra assured to not put on it. I even had further time and was in a position to make a dent in unpacking my home — unbelievable,” she quipped.

Should you’ve been questioning what Jordin Sparks has been as much as since “American Idol,” nicely, we’re completely happy to report that the star remains to be making music. The truth is, she recurrently shares snippets of herself singing on her Instagram account, each new and previous songs. It was in a clip posted on April 25, 2025, nevertheless, that we have been surprised by extra than simply her unbelievable vocals, however her flawless, foundation-free face. Between her naturally pigmented lips, tapered face form, and lifted cheekbones, Jordin Sparks is an authorized pure magnificence.

When she’s not busy singing, designing jewellery, or elevating her son, Katharine McPhee is taking good care of her complexion. The truth is, the “American Idol” S5 alum has been obsessive about skincare since she was simply 10, carrying sunscreen and even getting extractions earlier than center faculty musical theater follow. Speak about dedication!

At 41, McPhee continues to observe a strict magnificence routine, so it is no marvel that the singer goes makeup-free as a rule. “My perspective now could be that in case your pores and skin is clear and moisturized, that is when it appears to be like the very best,” she shared with Glamour. “I will all the time care about the way in which I look, however there’s extra of an acceptance with myself now.”

In a photograph posted to McPhee’s Instagram account on November 26, 2024, followers and followers got a have a look at the star’s flawless, pure face. Sitting together with her hand gently resting upon her cheek, the singer’s hydrated pores and skin, fluffy brows, and lengthy lashes may very well be each acknowledged and admired, and the remark part went completely loopy for her merely ageless look. “Al pure… ¡Que belleza,” one remark learn. “I’m so interested by your skincare,” one other follower wrote. Fortunate for us, McPhee was type sufficient to share a few of her favourite merchandise with Glamour, which embody a cleanser by Dermalogica, moisturizer by La Mer, and, after all, sunscreen by EltaMD.

From ready tables to competing in “American Idol” S5, the gorgeous transformation of Kelli Pickler can’t be denied. The singer not solely caught the attention of viewers in all places, however BNA Information, and has been busy making music and touring the world since her TV debut (wanting nothing in need of attractive).

Although Pickler usually retains her stage make-up easy, we have been completely happy to come back throughout a photograph of the star with out cosmetics. In an Instagram put up made by a fan web page, Pickler’s sculpted brows, rosy cheeks, and peach-colored lips may very well be seen on full show, and there is not any denying her naturally dewy complexion.

So simply how does Pickler hold her pores and skin wanting so youthful and contemporary? “One factor I completely swear by is my Clarisonic,” the singer advised Girls’s Well being. “It is so good in your pores and skin, and I can see a giant distinction after I do not use it—I haven’t got that contemporary glow.” To be clear, nevertheless, that glow doesn’t come from laying out within the solar, as Pickler may be very diligent relating to defending her pores and skin from dangerous UV rays. “I all the time advocate not tanning your face and defending your chest too—in any other case your cleavage will seem like the Grand Canyon. And there is not any fixing it,” she joked.

Competing alongside Lauren Alaina in season 10 of “American Idol” was the stunning Haley Reinhart, a free-spirited singer and songwriter from Wheeling, Illinois. Identified for clean vocals, playful persona, and funky, retro type, it was laborious to not fall in love with Reinhart from the second she stepped on display screen. Nevertheless, one of many star’s best powers, in our humble opinion, is her completely attractive face, and we’re speaking sans make-up or cosmetics of any kind.

In a collection of images posted to Reinhart’s Instagram account on July 9, 2023, the singer showcased her pure complexion whereas touring from Chicago to Los Angeles. “Simply passin’ by way of,” Reinhart cutely captioned the put up, although we’re glad she made the time for just a few gorgeous selfies. Along with her auburn-colored locks pulled away from her face, followers and followers have been actually in a position to admire her delicate face form, full lips, and gently sun-kissed complexion, which supplies the 34-year-old such a wholesome and youthful glow. “Proper after I did not suppose you may be any extra cute or lovely, you go and do it,” one fan commented beneath the put up. “That pure magnificence! Such a deal with good friend, one other wrote.

You recognize and love her from “American Idol,” the runner-up of S10, however that was just the start for nation singer Lauren Alaina. Virtually instantly after the present, the blonde magnificence signed with a number of file labels and has since been releasing smash hits and hitting Billboard charts alike. But maybe what she considers her best success is changing into a mother, as Lauren gave start to her first child on June 13, 2025. Nevertheless, being pregnant didn’t sluggish the singer down one bit, and she or he continued to carry out on stage simply weeks earlier than welcoming her daughter.

Earlier than her Grand Rapids present on February 15, 2025, Lauren Alaina took to TikTok with a get-ready-with-me type video. “Tequila is out … Self care is IN for this tour,” she playfully captioned the put up, by which she would go over the merchandise she has been utilizing to get that “being pregnant glow.”

@laurenalaina

Tequila is out…. Self care is IN for this tour See you tonight, Grand Rapids!!!

♬ unique sound – Lauren Alaina

Whereas we did watch the complete two-minute clip, and we promise you we did, we’ve got to confess we have been extra enamored by Lauren’s makeup-free pores and skin than the skincare itself. Not solely are her brows completely feathered and her eyes a surprising shade of blue, however her light-colored options permit the pure blush in her cheeks and lips to shine. In fact, the artist’s followers have been additionally fast to note her uncooked radiance, hyping Lauren up within the remark part under. “You’re gorgeous mama,” one fan kindly wrote. “You’re BEAUTIFUL,” one other praised.

It is laborious to overlook the musical powerhouse that’s Tori Kelly, as her robust and soulful voice captured the hearts of many from the second she appeared on “American Idol.” But whereas her ardour for singing and songwriting is sort of clear each time she steps on stage, it’s possible you’ll not know that Kelly can also be captivated with skincare and make-up, particularly rising up with acne-prone pores and skin.

Working with make-up artist Sarah Uslan, who has her personal line of good-for-your-skin make-up, Tori Kelly’s complexion has reworked over the past decade. “She has accomplished my make-up for therefore many momentous events in my life,” the singer advised New Magnificence. “From doing my make-up the day I gained my first Grammy to being there to make me appear and feel like my greatest self on my wedding ceremony day.” Such information of merchandise and utility has improved Kelly’s confidence. Although she does nonetheless wrestle together with her pores and skin, that does not cease the singer from letting it breathe. 

The truth is, on July 14, 2025, the singer posted a collection of makeup-free images to her Instagram, playfully titled “BUMP DUMP.” The primary picture is the place her glow might be admired, as Kelly appears to be like completely attractive in a bandeau-style prime and lengthy, white skirt. Along with her curly locks cascading down her again, her daring brows, lifted cheekbones, and even pores and skin tone are on full show. We’re so completely happy to see Kelly embracing her pure magnificence.

Although he completed as runner-up on season eight of “American Idol,” Adam Lambert’s profession completely skyrocketed following his TV present debut. That is proper, along with promoting over three million solo albums, the singer has turn into the lead singer of the band Queen, proving that you do not have to be topped king to take the throne.

Whereas Lambert is adored for his robust vocals, he’s additionally celebrated for his killer on-stage type, which incorporates his signature make-up look: a traditional smoky eye in a wide range of jewel-toned hues. The truth is, the singer applies his personal cosmetics. His largest magnificence influences? David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, and Pink Sizzling Chili Peppers’ Dave Navarro. “I bear in mind seeing a factor on TV after I was in highschool, and it was him [Navarro] speaking about carrying nail polish and make-up,” Lambert advised Attract. “I used to be like, ‘Oh my God, I am completely obsessive about the way in which this man appears to be like. I need to seem like that.'”

In fact, not all events name for a daring magnificence routine, and Adam Lambert has confirmed that his pure complexion is simply as, if not much more, gorgeous. In a selfie posted to his Instagram on March 16, 2024, the singer confirmed off his makeup-free face as he relaxed at dwelling, highlighting his clean pores and skin, brilliant blue eyes, and completely outlined brows. “Pure wonderful magnificence,” one fan commented.