Jordin Sparks Reveals What She Really Won From American Idol

The season six winner shared details about her prize package, in contrast to Kelly Clarkson's experience.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:24pm

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After Kelly Clarkson revealed that she did not receive the $1 million and a new car that she was promised for winning the first season of American Idol, Jordin Sparks, the season six winner, shared what she actually won. Sparks said she did receive a car, though she noted that she was not part of the show's inaugural season, when the prizes were apparently different.

Why it matters

Sparks' comments provide insight into the evolving prize structure of American Idol over the years, as the show transitioned from its early seasons to later iterations. This highlights how the show's compensation and rewards for winners have changed, which is relevant for understanding the experiences of contestants across different seasons.

The details

Sparks, who was the youngest winner of American Idol at age 17, said she did receive a new Ford Mustang as part of her prize package. However, she emphasized that she was not part of the show's first season, when Clarkson won, noting that "the first season of anything is a little crazy." Clarkson had previously shared that she did not receive the $1 million or a car that she was promised for winning season one.

  • Jordin Sparks won American Idol in season six.
  • Kelly Clarkson won American Idol in season one, five years before Sparks.

The players

Jordin Sparks

The winner of season six of American Idol, who was the youngest winner of the show at age 17.

Kelly Clarkson

The winner of the first season of American Idol, five years before Sparks.

Clay Aiken

The runner-up in the second season of American Idol, who received a car even though he did not win.

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What they’re saying

“I got my car,”

— Jordin Sparks (Jenna & Sheinelle)

“Somebody send her one now. Someone send her a Ford.”

— Jordin Sparks (Jenna & Sheinelle)

“I literally was on the show, and they were like, 'Oh, you win a million dollars' or whatever. No, you didn't. They lied. You did not. It was, like, a million dollars worth of investment in you.”

— Kelly Clarkson (The Kelly Clarkson Show)

“I was like, 'What the f--k?' I remember Clay telling me that the second season, he's like, 'Yeah, they gave my mom one.' I was like, 'I'm gonna actually kick your ass right now.'”

— Kelly Clarkson (The Kelly Clarkson Show)

The takeaway

This case highlights the evolving nature of the American Idol prize structure, with winners in different seasons receiving varying levels of compensation and prizes. It underscores the importance of understanding the specific context and rules of each season, as the show's practices have changed over time.