Current:Home > NewsIam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21 -WealthSync Hub
Iam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21
View
Date:2025-04-16 18:15:13
Dim the lights, we have a new American Idol winner.
Following a three-hour season finale on May 21, host Ryan Seacrest announced Iam Tongi as the champion of the competition series, beating out Megan Danielle, as well as Colin Stough, who was eliminated earlier in the night.
(Megan, Colin and Iam were previously announced as the final three contestants during May 14's "Disney Night" episode.)
Prior to crowning the new winner, Megan, Colin and Iam all took the stage one last time to perform.
The season finale also included star-studded performances from judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with former American Idol stars Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard.
Ellie Goulding, James Blunt, Jazmine Sullivan, Jelly Roll, Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon, Kylie Minogue, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Daigle, Pitbull and TLC also took the stage during the finale, along with former Idol judge Keith Urban, who also mentored the three finalists.
In late April, Lionel couldn't help but gush over the talented artists he met this season.
"The top 12 are ridiculous, the top 20 was ridiculous," he told E! News. "Every one of them can be a number one artists, without a doubt."
Why? For the Grammy winner, it's all about style. "Everyone has a different twist on their talent," he said. "So at this point, I'm so happy we're not voting as the judges." (Like in past seasons, the public took over voting halfway through the competition.)
"Their voices, their attitude...look how much they've grown," he said of this season's contestants. "From those little shy kids you saw at the auditions to now...oh!"
The May 21 finale came just days after it was announced that Idol had been renewed for another season, which will be its seventh on ABC and 22 season overall. (The series previously aired on Fox before moving to ABC in 2017.)
Get the drama behind the scenes. Sign up for TV Scoop!veryGood! (69215)
Related
- Small twin
- Want to make your to-do list virtual? Here's how to strikethrough in Google Docs
- Report: NFL investigating why Joe Burrow was not listed on Bengals injury report
- 'Not Iowa basketball': Caitlin Clark, No. 2 Hawkeyes struggle in loss to Kansas State
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Open AI founder Sam Altman is suddenly out as CEO of the ChatGPT maker
- Remains found in remote Arizona desert in 1992 identified as missing teen girl, police say
- COSRX Snail Mucin: Everything You Want to Know About the Viral Beauty Product but Were Afraid to Ask
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Open AI founder Sam Altman is suddenly out as CEO of the ChatGPT maker
Ranking
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Some buffalo nickels could be worth thousands of dollars under these conditions, collector says
- Bobby Ussery, Hall of Fame jockey whose horse was DQ’d in 1968 Kentucky Derby, dies at 88
- Former state lawmaker charged with $30K in pandemic unemployment benefits fraud
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Escaped murderer back in court over crimes authorities say he committed while on the run
- 'Not Iowa basketball': Caitlin Clark, No. 2 Hawkeyes struggle in loss to Kansas State
- 'I got you!' Former inmate pulls wounded Houston officer to safety after shootout
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Variety's Power of Women gala: Duchess Meghan's night out, Billie Eilish performs, more moments
Kim Kardashian Turns Heads With New Blonde Hair on GQ Men of the Year Red Carpet
STAYC reflects on first US tour, sonic identity and being a 'comfort' to SWITH
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
More than 240 Rohingya refugees afloat off Indonesia after they are twice refused by residents
'Once-in-a-lifetime dream': Mariah Carey gushes over her own Barbie doll
Biden seizes a chance to refocus on Asia as wars rage in Europe and the Mideast