Current:Home > MarketsIam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21 -Finovate
Iam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21
View
Date:2025-04-13 06:54:21
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! (46)
Related
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Dark chocolate might have health perks, but should you worry about lead in your bar?
- Banks’ Vows to Restrict Loans for Arctic Oil and Gas Development May Be Largely Symbolic
- In a year marked by inflation, 'buy now, pay later' is the hottest holiday trend
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Tribes Sue to Halt Trump Plan for Channeling Emergency Funds to Alaska Native Corporations
- Zendaya Sets the Record Straight on Claim She Was Denied Entry to Rome Restaurant
- Dad who survived 9/11 dies after jumping into Lake Michigan to help child who fell off raft
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- The northern lights could be visible in several states this week. Here's where you might see them.
Ranking
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Chris Pratt Mourns Deaths of Gentlemen Everwood Co-Stars John Beasley and Treat Williams
- What Would It Take to Turn Ohio’s Farms Carbon-Neutral?
- Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor Make Rare Red Carpet Appearance With 21-Year-Old Daughter Ella
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Russian fighter pilots harass U.S. military drones in Syria for second straight day, Pentagon says
- Taylor Lautner’s Response to Olivia Rodrigo’s New Song “Vampire” Will Make Twihards Howl
- State by State
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Taylor Lautner’s Response to Olivia Rodrigo’s New Song “Vampire” Will Make Twihards Howl
Trump’s Budget Could Have Chilling Effect on U.S. Clean Energy Leadership
Britney Spears hit herself in the face when security for Victor Wembanyama pushed her hand away, police say
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Warming Trends: A Baby Ferret May Save a Species, Providence, R.I. is Listed as Endangered, and Fish as a Carbon Sink
Tamra Judge Wore This Viral Lululemon Belt Bag on Real Housewives of Orange County
Could New York’s Youth Finally Convince the State to Divest Its Pension of Fossil Fuels?