Current:Home > NewsIam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21 -EquityZone
Iam Tongi Wins American Idol Season 21
View
Date:2025-04-17 00:49:22
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! (873)
Related
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- R. Kelly's Daughter Joann Kelly to Share a Heartbreaking Secret in Upcoming Documentary
- Man gets nearly 2-year prison sentence in connection with arson case at Grand Canyon National Park
- Scammers are accessing Ticketmaster users' email accounts, stealing tickets, company says
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Opinion: MLB's Pete Rose ban, gambling embrace is hypocritical. It's also the right thing to do.
- Harris and Biden are fanning out across the Southeast as devastation from Helene grows
- What is the birthstone for October? Hint: There's actually two.
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Below Deck Sailing Yacht: Daisy Kelliher Reveals the Surprising Text Ex Colin MacRae Recently Sent Her
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Bills' Von Miller suspended for four games for violating NFL conduct policy
- American Idol Reveals First Look at New Judge Carrie Underwood
- Carrie Underwood Reveals Son's Priceless Reaction to Her American Idol Gig
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Lauryn Hill sued by Fugees' Pras Michel for fraud and breach of contract after tour cancellation
- Opinion: Jayden Daniels and Doug Williams share a special QB connection – as they should
- Arkansas medical marijuana supporters sue state over decision measure won’t qualify for ballot
Recommendation
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
D-backs owner says signing $25 million pitcher was a 'horrible mistake'
No one expects a judge’s rollback of Georgia’s abortion ban to be the last word
Are LGBTQ Jews welcome in Orthodox communities? This is how they are building spaces of their own
Small twin
Sabrina Carpenter Shares Her Family's Reaction to Her NSFW Performances
Doctor to stars killed outside LA office attacked by men with baseball bats before death
US ‘Welcome Corps’ helps resettle LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing crackdowns against gay people