'American Idol' season 17: Madison Vandenburg finishes third as fans draw comparisons to Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert

Half-way into the finale, the series revealed its second runner up. The American Idol season 17 contestant Madison Vandenburg placed third on the reality TV competition and was eliminated after getting the lowest votes. 

'American Idol' season 17 will officially come to an end on Sunday night after it's three-hour live grand finale episode. 

Half-way into the show, the series revealed its second runner up. Madison Vandenburg placed third on the reality TV competition and was eliminated after getting the lowest votes. 

Vandenburg was the only girl in the finale, alongside Alejandro Aranda and Laine Hardy. From what started as an audition on a bus in Buffalo, Vandenburg has come a long way. She has stunned the judges and viewers with her vocal range and powerful performances throughout the competition.

Madison Vandenburg comes 3rd in American Idol season 17. (ABC/Eric McCandless)

For the finale, before she could be eliminated, Vandenburg performed Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper and "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson. After her elimination, she performed her audition song "Speechless" by Dan and Shay along with the duo. 

After the news of Vandenburg was eliminated, fans on Twitter, revealed their disappointment with the results. "Yeahhhh, kinda tuned out once madison vandenburg got voted off. she was the real deal. #americanidol #overandout," wrote a fan. 

While another fan said, "#americanidol I am so disappointed @madison VanDenburg should win! Madison is an amazing singer and good performer." Adding to that another fan wrote, "I can't believe Madison VanDenburg was just voted off. Laine and Alejandro have beautiful ordinary voices. Tonight, when she sung Shallow from a Star, is Born, if I closed my eyes I would have thought that Lady Gaga was singing.." 

Though Vandenburg came in third, that does not mean it is the end. Vandenburg joins a list of other famous singers like Adam Lambert, Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry who made their debut on American Idol. Even though they didn't win the competition, they are now big names in the music industry. 

Madison Vandenburg comes 3rd in American Idol season 17. (ABC/Eric McCandless)

Taking them an example, fans also share their love and support for Vandenburg claiming this isn't the end for her. "Madison VanDenburg you will be a star!! Adam Lambert has shown us this is possible without winning American Idol!!," said a fan on Twitter. 

Adding to that another fan said, "Thanks to very poor voting by @AmericanIdol fans. I can watch the #seasonfinale of #NCISLA #madisonvandenburg just remember #jenniferhudson and #adamlambert didnt win either. Hey @TheLaineHardy and @scarypoolpartynice guys but....@AmericanIdol. I am disgusted." 

"Hey, Chris Daughtry didn’t even make top 3 and look what happened! Can barely name more than 5 winners but there are a whole bunch of other artists who made it, are still relevant and didn’t win. Go #MadisonVanDenburg!!" wrote another fan. 

Now that Vandenburg is eliminated,  Aranda and Hardy are in the run for the title, and we can't wait to see who gets crowned the title winner this season. 

If you have an entertainment scoop or a story for us, please reach out to us on (323) 421-7515

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Chicago Fire’ honors a fan favorite character in its 300th episode
2026-11-05T05:51:40.000Z
‘Chicago Med’ focuses on Dr Wu’s pursuit of the Chief Resident position in its latest episode
2026-11-05T04:50:53.000Z
Tomlin risks Cruz’s job to convince Severide in the latest episode of ‘Chicago Fire’
2026-11-05T03:47:56.000Z
The untitled Hulu series follows Leavitt and her family as she handles new fame and career ambitions
2026-11-05T03:29:58.000Z
The ‘All’s Fair’ cast return for a second season of divorce cases and personal drama. Here’s when new episodes arrive, where to watch and what to know about before the finale.
2026-11-04T16:46:27.000Z
'Batman: Knightfall Part 2' unveils a first-look clip as Azrael takes up the cowl after Bruce Wayne is left paralyzed by Bane.
2026-11-04T16:27:06.000Z
Owen Wilson returns to the green in ‘Stick’ Season 2. Here’s your guide to Apple TV’s weekly episode rollout, streaming details and finale date.
2026-11-04T15:48:30.000Z
'Trinity,' starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Richard Madden, follows a naval officer who suspects the US Secretary of Defense is at center of a conspiracy.
2026-11-04T15:21:56.000Z
An upcoming ‘Chicago Fire’ episode welcomes a familiar face from ‘Chicago Med,’ marking a One Chicago milestone.
2026-11-04T14:59:11.000Z
Milo Ventimiglia and Justin Hartley could reunite on 'Tracker,' with the show’s producers also discussing bringing 'This Is Us' stars together.
2026-11-04T13:58:31.000Z