What To Know
- The Top 3 finalists performed during the American Idol finale on May 11.
- Other past contestants from the season also returned to the show to perform with celebrity guests.
- A winner will be named at the end of the three-hour episode after viewers vote for their favorites throughout the show.
It all comes down to this! At the end of the three-hour finale of American Idol Season 24, either Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, or Keyla Richardson will be named the winner of the show.
Before the results, based off of viewer votes, are read, though, the night will be jam-packed with performances from the finalists, celebrity guests, and other contestants from the season. Judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie will also be hitting the stage.
Scroll down for live updates from the finale, and check back at the end of the night to find out who won!
Hannah Harper
For the first round, the contestants sang songs by mentor Alicia Keys. Hannah picked “No One, but added a “folksy/bluegrass” twist, which she still hoped would honor the original version.
ABC
Richie kicked off the commentary, telling Hannah, “You’ve taken an Alicia Keys song and turned it into your song so fast, only because you have that identifiable voice that we’ve all come to love. You now own that stage. You look so comfortable, and you took the advice. Just make it all about you and your voice and your career.”
Underwood said that Hannah’s voice makes everything “sound beautiful and tender and like a lullaby,” while Bryan raved, “Your voice is like walking in the outdoors. It’s like walking through a beautiful garden. You’re true artist.”
Keyla Richardson
Keyla was up next with a rendition of Keys’ “Unthinkable.” She chose the song because it spoke to her journey on the show.
ABC
“That was such a wonderful choice of song for you. You are ready. You are ready for whatever amazing things are going to come next for you,” Underwood promised.
Bryan noted how Keyla has always focused “with drive and determination” throughout the competition. “You’ve won in our eyes,” he added. “Just watching you seize every moment has been so inspiring to me.”
Jordan McCullough
Closing out the first round was Jordan, who selected “If I Ain’t Got You” from Keys’ catalog to sing. During rehearsals, she helped him get comfortable away from the mic stand so the movement could help tell the story.
ABC
“I’m so proud of your confidence on that,” Bryan raved. “You were like … this is my stage, I’m this confident, I’ve come this far, I’ve worked this hard. It was so great to watch you have all that swagger.”
Richie agreed, adding, “I think Alicia said it best. Alicia said, ‘That was money.’ That was not only money, but your career, my friend. That was amazing.” Underwood jumped in to continue, “And that career’s gonna make him some money!”
Keep refreshing as this post is updated throughout the night…
