North Carolina is now tops in number of ‘American Idols’

Of the 13 “American Idol” winners, three are from North Carolina (Fantasia Barrino of Season 3, Scotty McCreery of Season 10 and Caleb Johnson of Season 13.) Two are from Alabama (Season 2’s Ruben Studdard and Season 5’s Taylor Hicks.)

States with one “Idol” winner:

Arizona: Jordin Sparks (Season 6).

Arkansas: Kris Allen (Season 8).

Georgia: Phillip Phillips (Season 11).

Illinois: Lee DeWyze (Season 9).

Missouri: David Cook (Season 7).

Oklahoma: Carrie Underwood (Season 4).

South Carolina: Candice Glover (Season 12).

Texas: Kelly Clarkson (Season 1).

Sorry, Alabama.

It’s now official: North Carolina is the go-to state for “American Idols.”

With Asheville rocker Caleb Johnson’s win on the TV singing competition late Wednesday, the Tar Heel State can now claim three “Idol” winners — Season 3’s Fantasia Barrino, Season 10’s Scotty McCreery and now Season 13’s Johnson.

Before Wednesday, North Carolina and Alabama had been tied with two “Idols” apiece. (Alabama can claim Season 2’s Ruben Studdard and Season 5’s Taylor Hicks.)

“You deserve it, take it all in! Welcome to the family!” McCreery, the Garner native and current N.C. State University student, tweeted to Johnson on Wednesday night.

North Carolina’s dominance is even more impressive when you look at those from the state who didn’t win the “Idol” title but still went on to successful music careers:

n Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken (now a Democratic congressional candidate) is in fourth place in all-time “Idol” album sales. (Studdard, who won that season, is sixth.)

n Season 5’s Chris Daughtry finished fourth but is third all time in album sales.

n Season 5’s Kellie Pickler finished sixth but is eighth in album sales.

So, of the top 10 in sales figures for all “Idol” contestants, five are from North Carolina — Daughtry (third), Aiken (fourth), Barrino (fifth), McCreery (seventh) and Pickler (eighth). The two biggest sellers — by far — are Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood (more than 14.5 million albums sold) and Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson (more than 12.7 million albums sold.)

Johnson, 23, wasn’t the only North Carolinian in this year’s “Idol” final 10. Goldsboro’s Majesty Rose, 22, finished ninth.

Two others from North Carolina made the top 10 in their seasons — Season 5’s Bucky Covington (finished eighth) and Season 7’s Anoop Desai (finished tied for sixth).

A favorite all season, Johnson defeated Jena Irene, 17, of Farmington Hills, Mich., in the finals.

Johnson, Irene and Rose will tour with the rest of this season’s top 10 this summer as “American Idol Live!”