Current:Home > FinanceIam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21 -Thrive Success Strategies
Iam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21
SafeX Pro Exchange View
Date:2025-04-09 16:47:53
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! (348)
Related
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Does Connecticut’s Green Bank Hold the Secret to the Future of Clean Energy?
- Be a Part of Halle Bailey and Boyfriend DDG's World With This PDA Video
- Paul McCartney says there was confusion over Beatles' AI song
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- What Happened to Natalee Holloway: Breaking Down Every Twist in the Frustrating Case
- In Texas, a rare program offers hope for some of the most vulnerable women and babies
- New abortion laws changed their lives. 8 very personal stories
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- First in the nation gender-affirming care ban struck down in Arkansas
Ranking
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- The Best Deals From Nordstrom's Half-Yearly Sale 2023: $18 SKIMS Tops, Nike Sneakers & More 60% Off Deals
- Don’t Miss This $80 Deal on a $180 PowerXL 10-Quart Dual Basket Air Fryer
- Colorado Settlement to Pay Solar Owners Higher Rates for Peak Power
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Tourist subs aren't tightly regulated. Here's why.
- After Roe: A New Battlefield (2022)
- It's never too late to explore your gender identity. Here's how to start
Recommendation
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
Lewis Capaldi's Tourette's interrupted his performance. The crowd helped him finish
Q&A: A Harvard Expert on Environment and Health Discusses Possible Ties Between COVID and Climate
Untangling the Wildest Spice Girls Stories: Why Geri Halliwell Really Left, Mel B's Bombshells and More
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
Growing without groaning: A brief guide to gardening when you have chronic pain
Malaria cases in Texas and Florida are the first U.S. spread since 2003, the CDC says
Bud Light releases new ad following Dylan Mulvaney controversy. Here's a look.