'American Idol' Season 23 finale: Iam Tongi beats Megan Danielle to win title

Iam Tongi is the winner of 'American Idol' Season 21
UPDATED MAY 22, 2023
Iam Tongi wins 'American Idol' Season 21 (ABC)
Iam Tongi wins 'American Idol' Season 21 (ABC)

BRENTWOOD, CALIFORNIA: The 'American Idol' path requires dedication, perseverance and fortitude to complete. It doesn't matter which of the final three contestants are named the ultimate winner, they are all victors in the Idol world.

The live, three-hour season finale of 'American Idol', which aired on May 21, included special appearances from legendary musicians and today's top performers. The Top 3 finalists then took the stage for the very last time as America chose the winner. Keith Urban, a previous Idol judge who also coached each of the finalists, was back among the all-star cast of performers. Additionally, judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan performed their own songs. So who won Season 21 of 'American Idol' in the end

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Who won 'American Idol' Season 21?

Turn down the lights because we have a new 'American Idol' champion. Following a three-hour season finale on May 21, host Ryan Seacrest crowned Kahuku boy Iam Tongi the competition series' champion, defeating Megan Danielle and Colin Stough, who were ousted earlier in the night. Megan, Colin, and Iam were already named as the last three contenders during the 'Disney Night' broadcast on May 14.

Megan, Colin, and Iam all took the stage one more time before the new winner was announced. With over 17 million votes cast for their favorite singer on Idol, the 18-year-old came out on top at the show's grand finale on Sunday.



 

Who made it to top two on 'American Idol' Season 21?

America really didn't have any terrible alternatives with the trio of Colin, Iam, and Megan making it into the Top 3 because all three have shone throughout the season. That's what made things so exciting because each has been a fan favorite throughout the entire season. Therefore, it was impossible to predict who would receive the majority of votes when the Top 2 were announced.

Iam had clinched the top slot in the Top 2 first, and Megan would be joining him as the second member of the Top 2 when that information was made public. Colin was thus eliminated from the competition and placed third. The first elimination of the 'American Idol' Season 21 finale occurred roughly halfway through the broadcast, with Colin being eliminated. During the first results show of the night, Ryan revealed that Iam and Megan had received enough votes to be named the season's Top 2.

'American Idol' will return between January and March of 2024, during the broadcast television midseason schedule.

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