American Idol: Noah Thompson wins season 20 of ABC singing competition in three-hour finale
- The 19-year-old country singer from Louisa, Kentucky won after his co-worker Arthur signed him up and recorded his virtual audition
- HunterGirl, 23, who was an early favorite after earning a Platinum Ticket during her audition, finished in second place
- Leah Marlene, 20, of Normal, Illinois, finished in third place
- The early favorite to win season 20 of American Idol was 17-year-old singer Kenedi Anderson, of Crozet, Virginia, but the Platinum Ticket winner last month dropped out for ‘personal reasons’
- Carrie Underwood, 39, was scheduled to perform, but was unable to take the stage due to a COVID exposure within her group, said show host Ryan Seacrest, 47, at the start of the finale
Noah Thompson won season 20 of American Idol on Sunday during a star-studded three-hour finale on ABC.
The 19-year-old country singer from Louisa, Kentucky won after his co-worker Arthur signed him up and recorded his virtual audition.
HunterGirl, 23, who was an early favorite after earning a Platinum Ticket during her audition, finished in second place.
Season champion: Noah Thompson won season 20 of American Idol on Sunday during a star-studded three-hour finale on ABC
Leah Marlene, 20, of Normal, Illinois, finished in third place.
The three finalists each performed a cover of a Bruce Springsteen song in honor of the American rocker as well as an original song.
Leah sang Cover Me by The Boss followed by the original song Flowers. HunterGirl belted out the Springsteen classic Dancing In The Dark and then performed Red Bird. Noah took on I’m On Fire and then sang the original One Day Tonight.
Viewer voting was tallied after their two performances and it was announced that Leah was the third-place finisher.
Second place: HunterGirl, 23, who was an early favorite after earning a Platinum Ticket during her audition, finished in second place
Third place: Leah Marlene, 20, of Normal, Illinois, finished in third place
The finale featured several life performances including: Flo Rida; Earth, Wind & Fire; Deana Carter and Mike Parker; Ben Platt and Lady K; Sara Bareilles and Nicolina, show judge Katy Perry and Thomas Rhett and Michael Buble with Christian Guardino.
Carrie Underwood, 39, also was scheduled to perform, but was unable to take the stage due to a COVID exposure within her group, said show host Ryan Seacrest, 47, at the start of the finale.
Noah after making the final two teamed up for a duet of I’m The Only One with Melissa Etheridge, 60.
The host: Ryan Seacrest hosted the three-hour finale on ABC
Show judge Lionel Richie, 72, joined the top 10 for a fun version of his 1983 hit song You Are.
Ryan also surprised Noah and HunterGirl by revealing the top two were awarded with a trip for four on the new Disney Wish cruise launching this summer.
Leah after being shown as a girl singing Firework then teamed up with judge Katy, 37, for a spirited rendition of the pop song.
The judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan served as judges during season 20 and each performed during the finale
HunterGirl after making the final two also performed a duet of I Told You So with judge Luke Bryan, 34.
The early favorite to win season 20 of American Idol was 17-year-old singer Kenedi Anderson, of Crozet, Virginia, but the Platinum Ticket winner last month dropped out for ‘personal reasons’.
Chayce Beckham, 24, won season 19 of American Idol in May 2021.
Life performances: The finale featured several life performances including Flo Rida