McCreery also opened up about the moment when he learned he was being dropped in early 2016. "Kind of brought me down to rock bottom pretty quick," he said. Scotty McCreery. Now, as a married man with a 6-month-old son, a record deal with Triple Tigers and with five consecutive No.

The show also lowered the age of eligibility to fifteen. On May 25, 2011, after 122.4 million votes were cast for the finale (and nearly 750 million votes all season), Scotty McCreery was crowned the winner of the tenth season of American Idol, with Lauren Alaina as the runner-up.

2011 Scotty McCreery (Season 10) American Idol's 10th season went to then-17-year-old Scotty McCreery on May 25, 2011. The country crooner from North Carolina beat out Lauren Alaina in the season finale, having previously lasted longer in the competition than such performers as Pia Toscano, Haley Reinhart, and Casey Abrams.

A native of Garner, N.C., McCreery now lives in nearby Raleigh. “They'll never get me out of here. My wife and I are both from Garner, and my family's still here,” he said. Another reason for staying close to his roots is that McCreery will become a first-time father in November.

Carrie Underwood 1. Carrie Underwood. Our favorite country sensation has come a long way since she first auditioned in 2004. After Underwood was crowned the winner in season four, she went on to release nine successful studio albums, earning her eight Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards and 17 American Music Awards.

Lauren Alaina finished second to Scotty McCreery on season 10 of "American Idol," but she's become a successful country star despite the loss. Her albums "Wildflower" and "Road Less Traveled" reached No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, and her song "What Ifs" reached No.

Carrie Underwood 1. Carrie Underwood. Our favorite country sensation has come a long way since she first auditioned in 2004. After Underwood was crowned the winner in season four, she went on to release nine successful studio albums, earning her eight Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards and 17 American Music Awards.

Besides the $250,000 advance, McCreery also will be earning tens of thousands of dollars more for granting Idol partners likeness, merchandise and endorsement rights.

David CookAmerican Idol - Season 7 / Winner David Cook was announced as the winner on May 21, 2008, defeating runner-up David Archuleta by a margin of roughly 12 million votes out of over 97 million, which was at that time the highest recorded vote total in the show's history.

Kelly Clarkson American Idol began in 2002, and the first winner of the inaugural season was Kelly Clarkson, who is now a renowned singer and songwriter with many hits to her name such as 'Since U Been Gone,' 'Don't Rush,' and 'Don't You Wanna Stay'.

Who Are the Most Successful 'American Idol' Contestants?

1. Carrie Underwood. Net worth: $140 million.
2. Kelly Clarkson. Net worth: $45 million.
3. Adam Lambert. Net worth: $35 million.
4. Jennifer Hudson. Net worth: $30 million.
5. Katharine McPhee. Net worth: $14 million.
6. Jordin Sparks. Net worth: $8 million.
7. Chris Daughtry.
8. Elliott Yamin.

'American Idol': 16 most successful losers ever

1. Jennifer Hudson.
2. Adam Lambert.
3. Katharine McPhee.
4. Chris Daughtry.
5. Clay Aiken.
6. Kellie Pickler.
7. Todrick Hall.
8. David Archuleta.