20 musicians who are synonymous with singing competition shows

She is the ultimate proof of concept. The very first winner of American Idol, her journey from Texas waitress to global superstar validated the entire premise of the show and later gave her unmatched credibility as a beloved, empathetic coach on The Voice.

The heart of the original American Idol panel, Paula was the perfect foil to Simon Cowell's cruelty. Her critiques were full of compassion and sometimes loopy metaphors, making her the sweet, supportive judge every contestant hoped to win over.

Holding down the middle seat for twelve seasons, the Grammy-winning producer was the cool, laid-back moderator between Simon and Paula. He brought a musician's perspective and an endless supply of "dawg," "pitchy," and "for me, for you" catchphrases to the lexicon.

For 23 seasons, the country superstar was the undisputed king of The Voice, turning his big red chair into a throne. His folksy charm, relentless teasing of Adam Levine, and signature finger-pointing gesture made him the show's longest-tenured and most winning coach.

As the pop-rock frontman of Maroon 5, Adam Levine served as the perfect foil and "frenemy" to Blake Shelton for 16 seasons. Their hilarious bickering and intense competition for artists defined the fun, buddy-comedy energy of the show's early years.

As the original powerhouse vocalist in the coach's chair, Christina brought her legendary technical skill and a signature bedazzled fan to the panel of The Voice. She was known for her intricate musical feedback, helping singers focus on the fine details of their craft.

Her story is one of the most powerful in the history of competition shows. After a shocking elimination on American Idol, she achieved EGOT status and returned to the genre as a formidable coach on The Voice, using her own experience to inspire a new generation of artists.

From her shy audition to her tearful victory, the Oklahoma native's journey on Season 4 of American Idol was pure TV magic. She then went on to become arguably the show's biggest commercial success and a reigning queen of country music.

This pop superstar brought her quirky, meme-worthy energy to the ABC reboot of American Idol. Known for her outlandish outfits and viral moments, Katy Perry wasn't afraid to be goofy, emotional, or coin a catchphrase like shouting "wig!" when a performance truly amazed her.

As the elder statesman of the new American Idol panel, the legendary singer-songwriter brings decades of wisdom and gravitas to the table. He's the warm, supportive mentor who can share stories about Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson while guiding contestants with a gentle hand.

The fun-loving country star provides the easygoing charm on the modern American Idol judging panel. Known for his infectious laugh and positive rapport with the contestants, he's the judge who feels like a friendly, supportive peer.

J.Lo brought A-list glamour and her famous catchphrases to the American Idol panel during a crucial era. As a judge, she was known for her constructive feedback on performance and showmanship, helping contestants learn how to command a stage.

The effortlessly cool frontwoman of No Doubt has been a frequent and popular coach on The Voice, known for her impeccable fashion and pop expertise. The show famously played a huge role in her personal life, as it's where she met her husband, Blake Shelton.

The calm, thoughtful EGOT winner brings a quiet authority to his role as a coach on The Voice. He quickly became known for his clever song choices and his iconic "Legend" jackets, a coveted piece of merch for his team members.

Known for her positive, artist-first coaching style, the acclaimed singer and pianist made history as the first female coach to win the U.S. version of The Voice. She was celebrated for her focus on nurturing her artists' unique strengths and confidence.

The country-rock superstar was a fan favorite for his insightful, constructive, and genuinely warm critiques on both American Idol and The Voice Australia. He had a unique ability to give honest feedback while still making the contestants feel supported.

Acting as the "professor" of the panel, the jazz musician brought a deep knowledge of music theory to his critiques on American Idol. His feedback often felt like a mini music lesson, which could be tough on contestants but was always rooted in a respect for the craft.

When one legend leaves, another steps in their place. The "Queen of Country" seamlessly took over Blake Shelton's chair on The Voice, bringing her decades of industry experience, signature charm, and a "Mom" energy to the coaching panel.

The global superstar brought her hips, her international perspective, and a uniquely analytical coaching style to two seasons of The Voice. She was known for her detailed notes and for using her multilingual platform to connect with a wide range of artists.

The man who turned brutal honesty into an art form. As the original star judge of American Idol and The X Factor, Simon's signature tight black T-shirts and withering insults made him the most feared, and most important, voice in music for over a decade.