Adam Lambert has beaten Carrie Underwood to become the highest-earning American Idol star of 2015.

The Whataya Want From Me singer banked $10 million last year (15) to take the top spot on the Forbes countdown, thanks to his stint as the frontman of rock legends Queen for their arena tour, while new mum Carrie slips to second place with $8 million after ruling the poll for 2013 and 2014.

Daughtry singer Chris Daughtry lands at three with $6 million, while Phillip Phillips is at four with $5 million, and Scotty McCreery and Kelly Clarkson tie at five with $4 million.

The release of the Forbes poll for 2015 is timely as the 15th and final season of American Idol kicked off on Wednesday night (06Jan16).