‘American Idol’ shocks judges and contestants with ‘truly unprecedented’ cliffhanger
Another season of American Idol has come to an end after a remarkable finale.
On May 11, host Ryan Seacrest announced Hannah Harper as the winner of the competition series as judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood celebrated. Hannah, who rose to prominence on season 24 after debuting her original song “String Cheese,” took the top spot ahead of finalist Jordan McCullough and Keira Richardson, who was eliminated earlier in the night.
Of course, in true Idol style, Alicia Keys joined Luke, Lionel, and Carrie as a guest mentor and performer for a star-studded finale. (Brad Paisley, En Vogue, Nelly and Tori Kelly also debuted their new single “Rewind,” along with former Idol contestant Clay Aiken, their first in 18 years.)
Before the finale, many Idol legends, including Carey and Ryan, reflected on the competition show’s decades-long tradition.
“American Idol is the ultimate real-world Cinderella story,” Carey, winner of the fourth season of Idol, said in an interview with Good Morning America published May 8. “I learned so much on this show and it prepared me for everything that came after.”
