Current:Home > reviewsIam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21 -EquityExchange
Iam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21
View
Date:2025-04-18 00:33:15
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! (4657)
Related
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- EPA bans asbestos, finally slamming the door on carcinogen that kills tens of thousands of Americans every year
- Paris Olympics lifts intimacy ban for athletes and is stocking up on 300,000 condoms
- Gangs unleash new attacks on upscale areas in Haiti’s capital, with at least a dozen killed nearby
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Why 10 Things I Hate About You Actor Andrew Keegan Finally Addressed Cult Leader Claims
- TV is meant to be watched together. Your guide to Apple SharePlay, Amazon Prime Watch Party
- Free Rita's: Get complimentary Italian ice in honor of the first day of spring 2024
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- The biggest revelations from Peacock's Stormy Daniels doc: Trump, harassment and more
Ranking
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- BP oil refinery in Indiana resumes normal operations weeks after power outage, temporary shutdown
- Watch this newborn chick revived by a quick-thinking farmer
- Man dies, woman injured after vehicle goes over cliff at adventure park
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Ex-girlfriend of actor Jonathan Majors files civil suit accusing him of escalating abuse, defamation
- Trump asks Supreme Court to dismiss case charging him with plotting to overturn 2020 election
- Unilever bought Ben & Jerry's 24 years ago. Now it's exiting the ice cream business.
Recommendation
Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
'Rust' armorer requests new trial following involuntary manslaughter conviction
Fabric and crafts retailer Joann files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection: What to know
Sports Illustrated to live on, now with new publisher in tow
'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
Olivia Culpo Reveals Her Non-Negotiable for Christian McCaffrey Wedding
Judges limit North Carolina child support law requirement in IVF case involving same-sex couple
How to catch and what to know about Netflix's new NFL series 'Receiver'