Keith Urban to return as American Idol Judge as finalists are 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.

Sharing his thoughts. American Idol alum Oliver Steele weighed in on rumors that Katy Perry plans to leave the show — and clapped back at accusations about her bullying contestants.

If there’s one thing Kelly Clarkson remembers about the very first season of “American Idol,” it’s how much some of her fellow contestants got beaten down by online backlash. According to the singer and talk show host, she watched several people “break their spirit” on the show.During Thursday’s episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” the host welcomed fellow musical icon Seal, who made a point to praise her for having the “courage” to put herself on a stage to be judged not only by the actual judges, but the entire audience around the country.But, for Clarkson, the experience was “a good boot camp.” What was harder was seeing other people struggle with nationwide input.“It was more hard, not for me, but to watch other people — I’m always that person, like, it’s hard for me to watch other people go through something,” Clarkson said.

“American Idol” contestant Oliver Steele has jumped to Katy Perry’s defence after she faced backlash over some of her comments on the show.

While Iam Tongi cashed in as the "American Idol" winner of the 2023 season, controversy around judge Katy Perry exploded like a firework over her sometimes harsh criticism of contestants.  Now that the season is over, finalist and top 8 contestant Oliver Steele is debunking rumors that Perry is a bully. "I’ve seen a lot of rumors going around the internet about Katy Perry possibly leaving idol and I don’t necessarily know what’s true and what’s not. Here is what I know about [her].

Oliver Steele is speaking out.

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.

Megan Danielle is speaking out amid allegations that American Idol Season 21 was “rigged” in favor of winner Iam Tongi.

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.

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.

Katy Perry is sharing her thought on the future of American Idol.

“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.

Katy Perry is reportedly on the verge of quitting "American Idol" amid fierce fan backlash.The most recent season of the ABC show was particularly trying for Katy, as she was sometimes booed for criticizing performances. The "Firework" singer was also dragged for mom-shaming another contestant who eventually quit the show.As this went on, Katy felt like the wasn't getting proper backing from the higher-ups."Katy feels like [the producers] threw her under the bus. She feels like her comments could have been removed," a source told DailMail.com.

told TV Insider. “I was so happy everyone voted.

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

Meet your newest American Idol! Iam Tongi has been crowned as the season 21 winner of the ABC singing competition.

American Idol has crowned its’ newest American Idol!

EXCLUSIVE: American Idol hit a high note with the help of some guest judges this month.