'American Idol' season 17 winner Laine Hardy says he would love to collaborate with Laci Kaye Booth and Alejandro Aranda

Recently MEA WorldWide caught up with the show's season 17 winner, Laine Hardy, and spoke to him about soaking in the win and how things have changed for him since the last season and now.

Barely a month ago, 'American Idol' season 17 had its grand finale where Laine Hardy was crowned the title winner. 

The country heartthrob was competing against singer and songwriter Alejandro Aranda for the title. Winning the title this season meant everything for Hardy, after he auditioned last season but sadly couldn't make it as he was eliminated from the Top 50. 

Hardy hadn't planned on auditioning again this season after he didn't make it through the last time. But after the judges recognized him they requested him to perform and made him accept the golden ticket. Coming a long way since then and his win, Hardy has already released his debut single, 'Flame' on the Idol stage after he was crowned the winner. 

Recently MEA WorldWide (MEAWW) caught up with the singer and spoke to him about his win and how things have changed for him since the last season and now. Hardy also revealed who he would like to collaborate with from the Idol season 17 contestants. 



 

Talking about what changed about him during the time between last season and this season Hardy said, "After I got eliminated last year, I went through a whole year of playing every weekend be it shows or at my house. I started building up my confidence and my stage presence. But I just figured out that I need to try new things and push myself because that is how you learn new things and better yourself." 

Throughout the competition Hardy delivered some impeccable performances, so we asked him what was his turning point where he thought he might have a chance of winning the season. "Throughout the whole competition, I never really had that thought in my head. I was having fun, I was focused on having as much fun as I could. Because not a lot of people get the opportunities we got as contestants. We all had fun while we could. We didn't treat it like a competition, we treated it serious but we also had fun, just enjoyed the moments." 

Laine Hardy attends 2019 iHeartRadio Wango Tango presented by The JUVÉDERM® Collection of Dermal Fillers at The Dignity Health Sports Park on June 01, 2019 in Carson, California.

Apart from that Hardy also revealed that given the chance he would love if he could collaborate with Alejandro Aranda or Laci Kaye Booth. Hardy also went on to add that he and Aranda grew really close over the course of the competition and would often go out in the morning to get coffee. 

Now that 'American Idol' season 17 has come to an end, the series is gearing up for season 18 after it was revealed that it has been renewed. 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Ellen Pompeo returns as ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 23 brings another emergency to Grey Sloan Memorial.
2026-10-15T18:15:35.000Z
Samuel L. Jackson and Sylvester Stallone reunite in the first teaser for Paramount+’s 'Frisco King.'
2026-10-15T16:46:54.000Z
Sylvester Stallone returns as Dwight Manfredi in 'Tulsa King' Season 4, where rival gangs threaten to change his criminal empire.
2026-10-15T16:18:54.000Z
‘Tulsa King’ takes viewers beyond its namesake city as Dwight Manfredi’s empire grows across seasons. Here's a look at the real-life locations.
2026-10-15T16:02:35.000Z
Hal’s final move at the G7 raises questions about his loyalties as Kate confronts Grace, but keeps the viewers waiting for more.
2026-10-15T15:39:21.000Z
Season 6 of ‘Abbott Elementary’ premiered on October 7, and new guest stars are set to appear in upcoming episodes
2026-10-15T09:31:47.000Z
Linda Cardellini's ‘Crystal Lake’ Episode 1 pays tribute to a real snake killed during ‘Friday the 13th’ filming
2026-10-15T07:17:19.000Z
The adult animated series follows a celebrity escape artist who is pulled back into a war between Apokolips and New Genesis
2026-10-15T07:03:30.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ Season 15 Episode 2 puts Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide's marriage to the test after the latter's promotion
2026-10-15T05:26:51.000Z
‘VisionQuest’ introduces a young pickpocket from London whose past traces back to Westview and ties into ‘Agatha All Along’
2026-10-15T05:12:19.000Z