Current:Home > reviewsIam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21 -Secure Horizon Growth
Iam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21
View
Date:2025-04-16 18:07:06
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! (52)
Related
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- The U.S. economy is losing steam. Bank woes and other hurdles are to blame.
- The economics of the influencer industry
- Twitter removes all labels about government ties from NPR and other outlets
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- New Study Identifies Rapidly Emerging Threats to Oceans
- Sinkholes Attributed to Gas Drilling Underline the Stakes in Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Race
- He's trying to fix the IRS and has $80 billion to play with. This is his plan
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- In Georgia, Warnock’s Climate Activism Contrasts Sharply with Walker’s Deep Skepticism
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Ted Lasso’s Brendan Hunt Is Engaged to Shannon Nelson
- A Republican Leads in the Oregon Governor’s Race, Taking Aim at the State’s Progressive Climate Policies
- Despite GOP Gains in Virginia, the State’s Landmark Clean Energy Law Will Be Hard to Derail
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Khloe Kardashian Says She Hates Being in Her 30s After Celebrating 39th Birthday
- Blast Off With These Secrets About Apollo 13
- Great Scott! 30 Secrets About Back to the Future Revealed
Recommendation
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Warming Trends: Butterflies Bounce Back, Growing Up Gay Amid High Plains Oil, Art Focuses on Plastic Production
In South Asia, Vehicle Exhaust, Agricultural Burning and In-Home Cooking Produce Some of the Most Toxic Air in the World
Homeware giant Bed Bath & Beyond has filed for bankruptcy
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Pennsylvania’s Dairy Farmers Clamor for Candidates Who Will Cut Environmental Regulations
Fired Tucker Carlson producer: Misogyny and bullying 'trickles down from the top'
Bud Light sales dip after trans promotion, but such boycotts are often short-lived