The new season of American Idol is cooking up music’s next big thing, who could soon join the list of Idols bringing in the big money.

Topping Forbes new list of top-earning American Idol contestants is the hit show’s first-ever winner Kelly Clarkson.

From May 2011 to May 2012, Kelly raked in a whopping $8 million. Rocker Chris Daughtry shares the No. 2 spot with Carrie Underwood, both of whom brought in $5 million.

Fellow country winner Scotty McCreery has the third-highest Idol paycheck with $4 million, while Jennifer Hudson and Jordin Sparks round out the Top 5 biggest money makers with $3 million and $2 million, respectively.

Also earning some big ones is Adam Lambert ($1.5 million), Katharine McPhee and Kellie Pickler ($1.1 million each) and David Archuleta and David Cook ($1 million each).

Season 12 of Idol, featuring new judge Keith Urban, airs Wednesdays and Thursdays on FOX.