'American Idol' 2023 Season 21 Finale - Performers Revealed!

alum Oliver Steele clapped back at accusations about Katy Perry's bullying last week, penning a defense of the singer on Instagram.  «I've seen a lot of rumors going around the internet about Katy Perry possibly leavingand I don't necessarily know what’s true and what's not. Here is what I know about @katyperry,» the 24-year-old musician wrote. Steele made it to the Top 8 on season 21 of last month, where Iam Tongi was crowned winner.

hear him “Roar.”“American Idol” finalist Oliver Steele lashed out on Instagram Saturday to defend controversial judge Katy Perry, claiming that she never bullied or shamed any contestant.Throughout the singing competition’s 21st season, the 38-year-old pop diva has been the subject of several teenage nightmares and social media rants about the judge’s provocative — and possibly “rude” — coaching methods.Steele, 25, opened up his post by saying that he’s “seen a lot of rumors going around the internet about Katy Perry possibly leaving idol,” adding that he can neither confirm nor deny them. “Here is what I know about @katyperry,” said the musician.

competition was rigged.“I would say that it isn’t just because, you know, I feel like God made all of this happen for a reason,” the 21-year-old said in her first public comments about the controversy. “Even if I was first, second, last, whatever … I feel like any of us really deserved it.”The former waitress gushed about winner Iam Tongi, who took the No.

American Idol led to “the downfall of society”.The View presenter got into an awkward exchange with an off-camera producer on Wednesday (May 24) while discussing Netflix‘s new documentary about the final days of Anna Nicole Smith’s life.After speaking to her co-hosts about the documentary, Goldberg concluded that “people like to be judgy,” before suggesting that American Idol was responsible for that kind of television.“You have Basketball Wives, you have the Housewives of whatever, all the Bravo shows, giving you the impression that you’re doing something wrong because you’re living your life,” said Goldberg (via Page Six).“People watch these shows because they make them feel better,” she continued. “I think that we, as a society, love to watch stuff to judge folks.”The Sister Act star then revealed the exact point she believes audiences became too quick to pass judgement.“You know, I’ve always thought that the beginning of the downfall of society was with, um, what’s the name of that show I always tell you that?” she asked, turning to executive producer Brian Teta.Goldberg had evidently shared the opinion with Teta before, because the off-camera producer replied: “ABC’s American Idol?”The studio audience laughed as the producer attempted to remind Goldberg that American Idol airs on the Disney-owned ABC, the same network that pays her salary.“Well, it wasn’t always on ABC,” Goldberg hit back in defence.

Whoopi Goldberg might be getting in trouble with 's network — ABC. The 67-year-old co-host of spoke out against another ABC show during a panel discussion this week.While discussing the recent Anna Nicole Smith documentary,, Goldberg talked about society's obsession with judging others.«I think, you know, that we as a society love to watch stuff, to judge folks,» Goldberg said. «I've always thought that the beginning of the downfall of society was with… what's the name of that show?»«That's ABC's » a producer replied, smiling.«It was not always on ABC.

first Pacific Islander to win “American Idol,” isn’t fazed by the rigging accusations that accompanied Sunday’s triumph — in fact, he said he “loves it.”“A lot of people are like, ‘Colin Stough was robbed,’ or whatever. And I just love it,” Tongi, 18, told the Daily Mail.Tongi, of Samoan and Tongan heritage, reigned victorious in the 21st season finale, beating out Stough, 18, and Megan Danielle, 20, but his win baffled fans who claimed the singing competition was “rigged.”Instead of letting haters get to him, he throws a “like” to critics’ social media posts, explaining he just has to “let those things happen.”“I am guilty for liking it,” he admitted.

“American Idol” was the “beginning of the downfall of society.”The 67-year-old made the bold claim on the ABC talk show Wednesday morning.Goldberg’s theory was brought up as the women of the show discussed why Netflix recently “dwelled” on the final days and legacy of Anna Nicole Smith in a new documentary. The actress claimed that viewers flock to these kinds of shows because “people like to be judgy.”“You have ‘Basketball Wives,’ you have the ‘Housewives’ of whatever, all the Bravo shows, giving you the impression that you’re doing something wrong because you’re living your life,” Goldberg said.

“American Idol” has crowned its newest winner in Hawaii native Iam Tongi, whose victory as the first AAPI winner of the ABC competition still has not fully hit him.“It’s unreal,” Tongi told TheWrap just two days after Ryan Seacrest announced his name on the big stage. “It’s weird to be here [as] the winner, because … it was going so slow during the competition, but out of nowhere it was finished and I was like ‘that went by so fast.'”While several AAPI contestants have climbed their way to the top three finalists, including fan-favorite Jasmine Trias of the show’s third installment, Tongi noted that this milestone achievement happening during national AAPI month in May gives the win an even bigger significance, saying “it feels really good to be representing why Polynesian people during this month.”Originally from Kahuku, a town in O’ahu, Hawaii, Tongi noted the challenge of saying goodbye to his friends back home to come compete on the show, where his talents were recognized early on by judges with some early successes, including being chosen to sing out the group after the judges narrowed the contestants down to the top 24 with an emotional rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”Tongi also experienced a personal accomplishment when he worked with guest mentor and country legend Keith Urban, whose music marked a distinct memory in Tongi’s upbringing as his father, who has since passed away, adored Urban’s music.

And the winner of American Idol season 21 is… not the fan favorite??

tweeted one angry viewer. “Big Hawaiian dude that has the best sob story is going to win.

*Caution: Spoilers ahead!*

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains details of the winner of American Idol Season 21.

It’s hard to believe American Idol first premiered almost 21 years ago!

American Idol Season 21 is coming to an end!

American Idol has gotten the golden ticket from ABC.

Ryan Seacrest never gets tired of announcing the next American Idol. ET's Denny Directo spoke with 's host of more than two decades on Sunday, and Seacrest admitted that the novelty of announcing the winner each year has «never» worn off.«We're looking down to that card and saying, 'The next American Idol is,'» Seacrest said of the upcoming season finale. «I mean, that's the best part for me... I get excited.»That excitement comes from a season of seeing the contestants «grow» and develop, Seacrest said.«We see them with their normal jobs and they just come in for this audition,» he said.

Keith Urban is set to make a much-anticipated return to American Idol, albeit for one night only.  The official announcement came from the show's Instagram account and was also shared by Keith on his Instagram Stories.  The 55-year-old will grace the grand finale on May 21st as a guest mentor and will also perform on the show.

As American Idol gets ready to crown its Season 21 winner, a star-studded cast has been lined up for the night of celebration set to take place on Sunday, May 21. The three-hour finale episode is set to air live from coast to coast starting at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT.

Viewers of "American Idol" were treated to a regal surprise Sunday evening in the form of two newly crowned royals while watching the latest live episode of the long-running competition show. Phoning in from across the pond and broadcasted on a big screen were judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, taking a night off from critiquing performances to give ones of their own. Both Perry and Richie were tapped to perform at King Charles' coronation concert.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s unexpected cameo during Sunday’s “American Idol” was almost as big a surprise for Ryan Seacrest as it was for everyone watching.