American Idol 2021 winner Chayce Beckham “23” Debuts on the Billboard Hot 100
American Idol season 21 winner Chayce Beckham has entered the Billboard 100 with his winners single “23.”
The country singer earns his first entry on the Jan. 13-dated Billboard chart as “23” debuts at No. 71. It opens with 13.3 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 16%), 4 million official U.S. streams (up 10%) and 1,000 downloads sold in the Dec. 29-Jan. 4 tracking week, according to Luminate.
The song, which is the first American Idol winners single penned by the artist, holds its No. 20 high on the Hot Country Songs chart. Additionally, the song charts at No. 14 (high) on Country Airplay.
American Idol Surprised Winner Chayce Beckham with Gold Cert
“23” became Chayce’s first overall chart entry when it debuted at No. 1 on Country Digital Song Sales in 2021 after his Idol win. He has charted one additional song on Country Airplay: “Can’t Do Without Me,” with Lindsay Ell, reached No. 46 in 2022. Also that year, his EP Doin’ It Right hit No. 21 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.
Interestingly, it took his record label, 19 Recordings/BMG/Wheelhouse, months before they decided to promote the song to radio. The song impacted country radio in January 2023, after amassing millions of streams.
“It ended up now it’s the song we’re coming to radio with just because the audience [is] basically telling us that’s what they wanted to hear,” Chayce told radio personality Bobby Bones at the time.
American Idol Season, Winner, First Hot 100 Entry (Peak Position, Year)
Of American Idol’s 21 total seasons, 14 winners have charted at least one Hot 100 hit.
- Season 1, Kelly Clarkson, “A Moment Like This” (No. 1, 2002)
- Season 2, Ruben Studdard, “Flying Without Wings” (No. 2, 2003)
- Season 3, Fantasia, “I Believe” (No. 1, 2004)
- Season 4, Carrie Underwood, “Inside Your Heaven” (No. 1, 2005)
- Season 5, Taylor Hicks, “Takin’ It to the Streets” (No. 69, 2006)
- Season 6, Jordin Sparks, “This Is My Now,” “A Broken Wing,” and “I Who Have Nothing” (Nos. 15, 66 and 80, 2007)
- Season 7, David Cook, “The Time of My Life,” “Dream Big,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “The World I Know,” “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing,” “Billie Jean,” “Always Be My Baby,” “Hello,” “The Music of the Night,” “Eleanor Rigby” and “I’m Alive” (Nos. 3, 15, 22, 28, 42, 47, 67, 73, 77 and 99, 2008)
- Season 8, Kris Allen, “No Boundaries, “Heartless,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Apologize,” “Falling Slowly” and “Ain’t No Sunshine” (Nos. 11, 16, 37, 66 and 94, 2009)
- Season 9, Lee DeWyze, “Beautiful Day,” “Hallelujah,” “Falling Slowly” with Crystal Bowersox, “The Boxer” and “Beautiful Day” (Nos. 24, 44, 66 and 88, 2010)
- Season 10, Scotty McCreery, “I Love You This Big” (No. 11, 2011)
- Season 11, Phillip Phillips, “Home” and “We’ve Got Tonight” (Nos. 6 and 97, 2012)
- Season 12, Candice Glover, “I Am Beautiful” (No. 93, 2013)
- Season 14, Nick Fradiani, “Beautiful Life” (No. 93, 2015)
- Season 19, Chayce Beckham, “23” (No. 71 so far, 2024
Seven American Idol winners have yet to chart on the Billboard Hot 100
The Idol winners who haven’t yet debuted on the Hot 100 are Caleb Johnson (season 13), Trent Harmon (15), Maddie Poppe (16), Laine Hardy (17), Just Sam (18), Noah Thompson (20) and Iam Tongi (21).
