And the Winner of 'American Idol' 2023 Is...
Sunday night was the final night of performances and voting for American Idol’s Top 3—Iam Tongi, Colin Stough and Megan Danielle—who took the stage for the final time as America decided who will become the next American Idol.
Keith Urban, who served as a judge from Season 12 to Season 15, served as the mentor for the Top 3 artists. He also took the Idol stage for a performance of his hit single from 2022, "Wild Hearts."
In addition, the night included performances by Idol judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and season 2 winner and runner-up respectively Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, and Ellie Goulding, James Blunt, Jazmine Sullivan, Jelly Roll, Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon, Kylie Minogue, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Daigle, Pitbull and TLC.
After the second song performance, the third-place contestant was named and was eliminated from the competition, leaving as the Top 2.
Related: Why American Idol's Iam Tongi Was 'Scared' About His Top 8 Performance
Who was eliminated on American Idol tonight:
Colin Stough
Megan Danielle
Who won American Idol tonight:
Iam Tongi
Related: American Idol Judge Katy Perry Calls Colin Stough 'The Brad Pitt of Country'
Here’s how the night went down:
American Idol finale performances—Round One – Keith Urban Songs
Megan Danielle
Song: “God Whispered Your Name”
Katy: “We really like this new version of you. It’s always been inside of you. Our job is done because that’s the gift.”
Luke: “It’s inspiring to watch you grow.”
Iam Tongi
Song: “Making Memories of Us”
Katy: “Just before you came on, I had to get a tissue. Every time you come on and sing, it goes through people’s hearts, and it just gets to them. It moves us so much. When you sing, I am ready to weep.”
Lionel: “You have a great delivery and that is going to make you shine ever more.”
Colin Stough
Song: “Stupid Boy”
Luke: “You being you, baby You being you. It’s a pleasure seeing how you navigated this , and you developed your artistic look. You have moments when you get gritty and you have moments when you soften it up.”
Round Two: Hometown Visits
Megan Danielle
Song: “Faithfully” by Journey
Lionel: “Isn’t it wonderful you start out in your life with your plan and you end up on the American Idol stage with God’s plan.”
Katy: “I think this is what parents do when their kids graduate. You aced this class. Stay there. Use this out in the world.”
Iam Tongi
Song: “Cool Down” by Kohloe Kai
Katy: “You are the culture. You bring the culture to American Idol. When we first met you, you said you didn’t live in Hawaii anymore because you were priced out of paradise. Welcome to paradise.”
Colin Stough
Song: “Either Way” by Chris Stapleton
Luke: “What I love about you is your are so much better than I thought you were. Just love seeing you grow.”
Lionel: “It’s not every day you come back home and you’ve got your jet, your new bus, and your keys to the city. Congrats. Great job.”
Katy: “I love what you just gave us. That was your sweet spot.”
Following the second round, host Ryan Seacrest released the results of the voting so far for the night. Iam Tongi and Megan Danielle went through. Colin Stough went home.
Then Ian did a duet of “Monsters” by James Blunt and Megan paired up with Lauren Daigle on “Thank God I Do.”
American Idol Round Three:
Megan Danielle
Song: “Dream Girl”
Iam Tongi
Song: “I’ll be Seeing You.”
Then it was time for the reveal of the winner of American Idol for 2023.
And the winner is Iam Tongi.
American Idol will return in 2024 as it has already been picked up for a seventh season on ABC.
Next, ABC Picks Up American Idol, The Bachelor, and More for Fall 2023-2024