It’s time! The American Idol 2018 winner will be crowned. Will Tonight on American Idol the Top 3 sing THREE songs as they vye to win the crown. The singers will reprise a song they have already performed, sing a Hometown Dedication and perform brand new original single. Also, clips of each singer’s hometown visit will be aired.
Will the winner be the soulful country singer from Pittsburgh, Gabby Barrett, midwest singer/songwriter Maddie Poppe or the Georgia country boy Caleb Lee Hutchinson? We find out tonight.
American Idol 2018 Performance Finale Recap (VIDEOS)
A slew of celebrities will be on hand to duet with the Top 20 including Bebe Rexha, Nick Jonas, Gary Clark Jr, Darius Rucker and more.
American Idol 2018 Spoilers Grand Finale Songs and More
The night kicks off with Lionel Richie singing “All Night Long” with the Top 10 contestants. Horns! Dancing! The pit audience waving furiously! Yay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81nKMrnuLOY
Ryan takes a walk backstage pointing out guest stars and…props? Wigs and Alpacas! I loled when he announced “Kermit the Frog” while pointing to a metal suitcase.
This is American Idol!
Ryan describes the American Idol finale as a “truly iconic moment in television.” It all feels so ordinary when it goes down in the regular studio instead of the Dolby, ect. Over the years, 665 million viewers have viewed the American Idol finale over the years. What? Ryan does his usual “Who are you rooting for” shout out to the audience. Still would be more impressive in a bigger venue!
The judges take their seats. Katy has put away her wigs. She back to her normal blonde do. “WHAAAA” Katy says, “Her babies are flying.” She’s got the champagne on deck. Katy says she got up this morning and watched the Top 3 audition. She could see the sparkle in their eyes!
Next, Caleb mentions his Luke Bryan impression (which he demonstrated during his no-chair The Voice audition. SERIOUSLY) But his Lionel Richie impression is actually really good. He mocks the whole “instant identity” deal, and it is actually pretty hilarious.
THAT was a segue to a clip of Lionel’s “best” moments. Then, Ryan hands Lionel a gift–a blue apron that says “Hello…is it me you’re cooking for.” Uhm.
Nick Jonas and Mustard take the stage to perform “Anywhere.” Next, Jurnee joins Nick on stage for a duet of his massive hit “Jealous.” Solid performance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v35LAOCeed4
Ryan announces that a “dramatic elimination” is coming up. The 3rd place contestant will be announced mid-show so wait for that!
Maddie’s parents are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary tomorrow. Caleb’s dad also does impressions. He gives Katy a try. It’s pretty pathetic. Gabby’s father got no sleep last night.
Now, Luke Bryan takes the stage to perform his new single, “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset.” Bleach. Bro country boredom sitting in. Next, Gabby Barrett joins Luke on stage to perform “Most People Are Good,” a much better song and a sweet duet. Rumor has it, Gabby and Luke knew each other before she auditioned. A rumor I heard that from a source I trust, actually. Luke says he looked forward to finally singing with Gabby. Hm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiLj3a8t3uo
A video clip of Luke highlights ends the segment.
Next, it’s Dennis Lorenzo, Cade Foehner and the legendary Gary Clark Jr. performing “Bright Lights.” Man. Dennis Lorenzo was robbed. This is real good, bluesey stuff. Cade an Gary trade off guitar licks. Dennis has never sounded so gritty. “That was energy man,” gushes Ryan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBegjtSaceE
“Season 2 is coming” says Ryan. Uh. No. Don’t get this ABC conceit of restarting the season numbers. CONFUSING. And the faithful ain’t buying.
Oh look. It’s Bachelorette Becca Kauflin in the audience to pimp the upcoming season. “CAN I BE IN THE RUNNING” says Katy. She kisses her hand, and it’s Luke to the rescue to pull her away. AWKWARD.
And that’s a perfect introduction to the “Prince of All Frogs” Kermit singing “Rainbow Connection” with Maddie Poppe. Very cute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8xdwn_DLPA
Top 50 contestant Noah Davis is back to share his Alpaca obsession with us. His audition went super viral! Ryan takes Lionel and Noah backstage. Idol has adopted an Alpaca for Noah. They find a stand in to represent. “I’m shook!” Noah says. Lionel had promised him one. He keeps his promises!
Next, Caleb Lee Hutchinson joins Darius Rucker on stage to sing “Wagon Wheel.” It’s a good matchup. Caleb strums a banjo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LytSXCEwcAw
Jimmy Kimmel joins Ryan on stage. He brings props. Oh boy. “You have a tremendous amount of time to kill on this show.” It’s an American Idol time capsule. Let’s see where this is going: A Simon Cowell t shirt. Ryan’s frosted tips from season one. Steven Tyler’s scarves. The tips from Adam Lambert’s fingerless gloves. The only copy of From Justin to Kelly that sold. “That dog Randy Jackson was talking about.” Sanjaya’s hair! LOL SANJAYA CRAWLS OUT OF THE CAPSULE. CRYING GIRL IS BACK. Clay Aiken was supposed to crawl out too. But Sanjaya was in there so long “I ate him.”
Ohhhh. A bunch of Idol joke contestants are going to perform on Kimmel tonight. Tune in!.
Next, it’s a video recap of the entire season. That theme song is back. Lionel says he’s so proud of these kids! It’s been a great run, he says.
Now Bebe Rexha takes the stage with the Top 3 and something is wrong with Caleb’s mic. It gets fixed pretty quick. They perform “Meant to Be.” Clips of the Top 3 unspool on the video screen behind them. This is some kind of philosophical message for the singers?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7YA0qaRDs
As soon as the performance is done, it’s time to eliminated the 3rd place singer. The contestants shouldn’t be expected to perform so close to a result. They ALL seemed nervous. When Ryan announces that Caleb made the Top 2, he looks about to keel over. And joining him in the Top 2 is Maddie!!!!
Gabby Barrett is eliminated.
The Top 2: Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Maddie Poppe
UHM!!!!
dang. Caleb and Maddie in the top 2. Crazy! and they are dating each other! #AmericanIdol
— Bobby Bones (@mrBobbyBones) May 22, 2018
NEXT is a video clip of eliminated Idols singing a comic version of Lionel Richie’s “Hello.” OK then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b16scp4fKUA
And now, Top 24 contestant Layla Spring and her little sister Dyxie sing a duet of “Blue.” I’m such a curmudgeon. “adorable” kids annoy me. So kill me now. Oh boy! Leann Rimes surprises the two with a cameo! Well that makes the saccharine moment worth it. Sort of. Everyone is so discombobulated, that the performance turns into kind of a mess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1w_vy5hReA
Lionel says Katy totally took him out of his comfort zone. ‘Like raising Nicole Richie all over again!” That’s an introduction to Katy’s video clip.
Catie Turner hand-picked a song from Katy Perry’s catalog for the two of them to sing together tonight. They perform a stripped down version of “Part of Me.” Nice harmonies! I am enjoying this performance very very much. I already said it–somebody sign Catie already!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL1e5ZyVUkU
Katy pulls off her wig as Ryan introduces Yolanda Adams and Michael J. Woodard singing “What the World Needs Now is Love.” This is the “WE’RE GOING TO CHURCH” portion of the show. So good!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5209Oibi-G0
Caleb says Maddie is her “best pal” and he announces the BOMBSHELL: “She happens to be my girlfriend” (!!!!!!) No wonder Bobby Bones deleted his tweet (see above). The couple wanted to make the announcement themselves.
Caleb and Maddie sing “Over the Rainbow”–it’s the Hawaiian arrangement. Sorry! I’ll completely butcher the original singer’s name if I attempt to post it. This performance is super under-rehearsed–missed lyrics and what not. They both concentrate so hard on getting the song right it’s super awkward. But Maddie looks so cute and shy when Caleb takes her hand.
So the Top 5 was TOTALLY HOOKED UP. Maddie and Caleb, Gabby and Cade. Oh man! The Top 2 have won a trip to the Disney Experience in Hawaii. No car though. Sads. They’re going to take their parents? What?
Next, Ada Vox and Patti Labelle sing “Lady Marmalade.” And it is as wild as you’d expect. The two trade off big big adlibs!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UQHF9My1NQ
OK. It’s time for RESULTS! Kieran dim the lights! On the line,” says Ryan, “is the chance to perform at the Hollywood Bowl this week, plus the Radio Disney Music Awards, a recording contract with Hollywood Records, and the title of our next American Idol.”
After the nationwide vote..the winner of American Idol is…MADDIE POPPE!!!!! YAY SHE DESERVED IT SO SO MUCH HOORAY.
She performs her winning single “Going Going Gone.” Of course, she cries her way through her performance. She can’t sing. Oh my gosh. Maddie’s reaction is adorable. The rest of the Top 1o rush on to stage and sing for her. The entire group is jumping up and down. Idol does the BEST winning moment of ALL the singing shows. They give the new champ time to relish the moment, celebrate with the rest of the cast and their families. It never fails to move me.
Winner: Maddie Poppe
2nd Place: Caleb Hutchinson
3rd Place: Gabby Barrett
