Once upon a time -- and for over a dozen years since -- hopeful singers across the United States could walk into an unassuming room with the chance of shooting to unprecedented stardom. The American Idol journey began that way for every winner, and through week after week of grueling training and performance, each earned the coveted title of Idol.
As Season 15 and the series draw to a close Thursday night, we looked back at the winners of this historic show to see where they are now, where they're going, and how they and Idol shaped music for a generation.
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