Current:Home > NewsIam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21 -TruePath Finance
Iam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21
View
Date:2025-04-15 08:28:02
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! (81615)
Related
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Everything We Loved in September: Shop the Checkout Staff’s Favorite Products
- ‘Sing Sing’ actor exonerated of murder after nearly 24 years in prison
- West Virginia lawmakers delay taking up income tax cut and approve brain research funds
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Major League Baseball scraps criticized All-Star Game uniforms and goes back to team jerseys
- Giants name former catcher Buster Posey new President of Baseball Operations, replacing Farhan Zaidi
- Biltmore Estate: What we know in the aftermath of Helene devastation in Asheville
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- 32 things we learned in NFL Week 4: One NFC team separating from the pack?
Ranking
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- 'I hate Las Vegas': Green Day canceled on at least 2 radio stations after trash talk
- Shawn Mendes Shares Update on Camila Cabello Relationship After Brutal Public Split
- Why break should be 'opportunity week' for Jim Harbaugh's Chargers to improve passing game
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- MLB power rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers take scenic route to No. 1 spot before playoffs
- Las Vegas memorial to mass shooting victims should be complete by 10th anniversary
- How to help those affected by Hurricane Helene
Recommendation
Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
MLB ditching All-Star Game uniforms, players will wear team jerseys
Madelyn Cline Briefly Addresses Relationships With Pete Davidson and Chase Stokes
The US is sending a few thousand more troops to the Middle East to boost security
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
Cutting food waste would lower emissions, but so far only one state has done it
Angelina Jolie Drops Legal Case Over 2016 Brad Pitt Plane Incident
Mazda, Toyota, Harley-Davidson, GM among 224,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here