Current:Home > ContactIam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21 -RiskWatch
Iam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21
View
Date:2025-04-17 17:05:21
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! (74299)
Related
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- Foundation will continue Matthew Perry's work helping those struggling with 'the disease of addiction'
- US, Arab countries disagree on need for cease-fire; Israeli strikes kill civilians: Updates
- Still swirling in winds of controversy, trainer Bob Baffert resolved to 'keep the noise out'
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Why does Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' end 'Priscilla,' about Elvis' ex-wife?
- Jason Aldean says he stands by controversial Try That in a Small Town: I know what the intentions were
- US officials, lawmakers express support for extension of Africa trade program
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Federal judge's ruling puts billions at stake for NCAA
Ranking
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Highly pathogenic avian flu detected at Alabama chicken farm, nearly 48K birds killed
- Defeat of Florida increases buyout of Arkansas coach Sam Pittman by more than $5 million
- Trump State Department official Federico Klein sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison for assault on Capitol
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Trump State Department official Federico Klein sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison for assault on Capitol
- Large carnivore ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant talks black bears and gummy bears
- Birmingham-Southern College leader confident school can complete academic year despite money woes
Recommendation
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
Find Out Which Real Housewife Is the Only One to Have Met Andy Cohen’s Daughter Lucy
Online database launched to track missing and murdered Indigenous people
Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker welcome a baby boy, their 1st child together
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
Australian woman arrested after hosting lunch that left 3 guests dead from suspected mushroom poisoning
Cardinals rookie QB Clayton Tune to start at Browns; Kyler Murray waiting game continues
Minneapolis police investigating another fire at a mosque