What Do 'American Idol' and 'The Voice' Winners Get as a Prize? — Here's What We Know

They sing, they win, they sometimes disappear, but what really happens after the curtain falls? The truth behind talent show prizes might surprise you.

Televised singing competitions may seem like a fast track to fame and fortune, but past winners say the prizes aren’t always what they seem. While millions watch contestants rise to stardom, the rewards often come with fine print — and limits.

Maddie Poppe, who won Season 16 of "American Idol" (AI) in 2018, shared details about her winnings in a March 2025 interview with Business Insider. "You do get $250,000, but not really because of taxes," she explained.

She also recalled how some fans assumed the cash prize was a financial windfall for her entire family, "People were asking my parents, 'So are you quitting your jobs?' They asked my sister, 'Oh, so are you quitting your job? Is your sister going to support you now?'"

Poppe clarified that the prize wasn't given in full up front. Half was paid before she completed her debut album, with the rest delivered after its completion. She noted that the money functioned more like an advance tied to a record deal — funds that she believed would need to be recouped through future music sales.

Earlier winners sometimes received more generous deals. When Phillip Phillips won "AI" Season 11 in 2012, he was awarded a $1 million recording contract, according to "Today." The agreement was widely publicized, though specific details about how the money was delivered were not released.

"The Voice" follows a slightly different model. As of May 2025, NBC confirms the winner is guaranteed a recording contract, but no standard cash prize is advertised. However, some contestants have received monetary awards.

In 2018, Chevel Shepherd won the competition at age 16 and received $100,000 along with the title. While she hadn't decided exactly how to spend it, she mentioned one possibility. "Maybe a car," she said at the time. "We had to postpone getting my permit because of The Voice so when we get back [home], I have to get it."