*WARNING: This post contains spoilers for American Idol Season finale
American Idol crowned a new winner on Sunday (May 24), bringing the latest season to a close.
Is it Season 19 (the total number of seasons of AI’s run) or Season 4 (the number of AI seasons on ABC)? However you look at it, it’s been an exciting season filled with heated competition, emotional backstories, unprecedented challenges, and surprising exits.
In the three-hour finale, the final three – Chayce Beckham, Willie Spence and Grace Kinstler – faced off on the Idol stage in the hopes of earning America’s votes and wowed audiences with stellar performances.
Macklemore — joined by Willie, Chayce, and Grace— also took the stage to perform, as well as Luke Combs, Fall Out Boy and Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham, Chaka Khan, Mickey Guyton, Leona Lewis, Alessia Cara, Sheryl Crow and, of course, Idol judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.
Round 1 saw the three finalists perform the judges’ song choice for them – Grace belted out Celine Dion’s “All By Myself”; Willie had judge Luke Bryan smelling the magnolias with his rendition of “Georgia On My Mind”; and Chayce effortlessly delivered a beautiful rendition of The Beatles’ “Blackbird.”
Round 2 changed it up to songs they dedicated to their hometowns, with Grace performing the Whitney Houston tune “I Have Nothing”; Willie put his own stamp on Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”; and Chayce went with Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away”.
By the end of the second round, Grace was voted to third place, leaving Willie and Chayce to battle it out for the top spot in the final round.
Chayce moved the audience with his performance of Ed Sheeran’s “Afterglow,” while Willie sang his heart out with Cynthia Erivo’s “Stand Up.” And America cast their votes for the next American Idol.
The results are in. And the winner is…Chayce Beckham!
Chayce closed out the evening by debuting his original song, “23,” which quickly climbed to the top of country charts after its release.
Congrats, Chayce!
