As for the eventual victor, they walk away with $125,000 for winning the show and are signed to a recording contract. Per AmericanSongwriter, the record company typically gives the winner a $300,000 advance as a recording budget, but that is then paid back via future earnings.

American Idol contestant Doug Kiker has died at age 32. The singer's sister, Angela Evans, shared the news with a Facebook post on Wednesday, writing, "It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of my brother Douglas Kiker.

Douglas Kiker, a contestant on “American Idol” Season 18 who memorably moved series judge Katy Perry to tears with his audition performance, has died. He was 32 years old. Kiker’s sisters, Angela Evans and Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez,