On Sunday, May 19, the Final 3 artists on “American Idol” Season 22 each performed a pair of “Finale Night” songs as viewers voted live coast-to-coast for their favorites. (Read our minute-by-minute recap.) Ultimately, after millions of votes were cast, host Ryan Seacrest announced that the 22nd winner in “Idol” history was Abi Carter. The runner-up was Will Moseley and the third place finisher was Jack Blocker. Do you agree or disagree with those results? Be sure to comment below with your immediate reactions!
This year on the show, Abi delivered tunes like “What Was I Made For?” (Auditions round), “If I Could Turn Back Time” (Showstopper round), “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” (Top 24 round), “Welcome to the Black Parade” & “My Mind” (Top 20 round), “Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road” (Top 14 round), “All Too Well” (Top 12 round), “Clocks” (Top 10 round), “Bring Me to Life” (Top 8 round), “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light ’em Up)” & “Hello” (Top 7 round), “Part of Your World” & “The Chain” (Top 5 round), and “Bed of Roses” & “Somewhere” (Top 3 round).
The 21-year-old pop ballad singer from Indio, CA earned one of three coveted Platinum Tickets during her audition, which made her an early front-runner. She never heard a bad critique throughout the entire season from judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, with Katy even going so far as to declare Abi her “favorite” early on. Abi was often seen at the piano delivering angelic vocals, and her personal inspiration, Billie Eilish, gave her a special shout-out in the finale.
The highly anticipated Season 22 finale featured celebrity performances and appearances from A-listers like Jon Bon Jovi, Fantasia Barrino, Jason Mraz, Seal, James Bay, Cody Johnson, Bishop Briggs, Nick Fradiani, Hootie & the Blowfish, New Kids on the Block, Wynonna Judd and CeCe Winans, plus the three “Idol” judges. The evening also served as Katy Perry’s final night as a judge after seven seasons.
Since ABC earned the rights to air “American Idol” in 2018, the winners have consisted of Maddie Poppe (Season 16), Laine Hardy (Season 17), Just Sam (Season 18), Chayce Beckham (Season 19), Noah Thompson (Season 20) and Iam Tongi (Season 21). Are you happy with this year’s newest addition to the show’s iconic winners list?
Be sure to make your predictions to influence our reality TV racetrack odds. You can keep changing your predictions until just before the next episode airs on ABC. You’ll compete to win eternal bragging rights and a spot on our “American Idol 22” leaderboard. See our contest rules and sound off with other fans in our reality TV forum. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.
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