American Idol rounds out its season on ABC, crowning its next singing sensation live during the epic at home grand finale event, Sunday May 17 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT).
American Idol Top 5 Will Sing Two Songs, Previously Performed Song Will Become Official Single
Kicking off the finale event following America’s last nationwide vote, the road comes to an end for two contestants in the Top 5 reveal. The Top 5 will then each perform two songs as they fight to win the coveted American Idol title. The first song will celebrate their induction into the Top 5, and the second will be a previously performed song and their new official American Idol single. In other words NO NEW coronation single.
Before America’s real-time vote determines the winner live on the East Coast broadcast, don’t miss special performances from music legends including Idol’s very own superstar judges, the return of the Top 11 and a fan favorite from this season.
I imagine most of the episode will be pretaped, and we’ll have Top 5 spoilers. In the last minutes of the show, Ryan will go live with the Top 5 and announce the winner.
Former American Idol Alums Join Lionel Richie and Judges For Special Rendition 35th Anniversary Rendition of We Are the World
In the first TV performance of “We are the World” in 35 years, former Idols and judges Katy Perry and Luke Bryan join Lionel Richie to close the show with a slew of Idol alums in a performance dedicated to all the families at home around the world.
Grand finale performances include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo and Top 11 to perform a medley of iconic Aretha Franklin songs
- GRAMMY winner Lauren Daigle and Top 5 to perform 3x platinum hit “You Say”
- Superstar vocal group Rascal Flatts and Doug Kiker to perform “Bless The Broken Road”
- Luke Bryan to perform his new single “One Margarita”
- Katy Perry to perform her new single “Daisies” in its first-ever TV debut
- Lionel Richie to perform “We are the World” joined by Idol judges and members of the American Idol family, including Alejandro Aranda aka Scarypoolparty, Gabby Barrett, Jordin Sparks, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Laine Hardy, Lauren Alaina, Phillip Phillips, Ruben Studdard and Scotty McCreery UPDATE: Fantasia has been added
Ten performances from the Top 10, a bunch of guest performances, the big We Are the World finale, Luke and Katy perform their singles….That is A LOT going on in 120 minutes.
American Idol‘s Top 7 finalists include the following:
- Arthur Gunn – Wichita, KS
- Dillon James – Bakersfield, CA
- Francisco Martin – Daly City, CA
- Jonny West – Studio City, CA
- Julia Gargano – Staten Island, NY
- Just Sam – West Hollywood, CA
- Louis Knight – Narberth, PA
Helping to determine who America will ultimately vote for to become the next singing sensation is music industry legends and all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Ryan Seacrest returns as host of the beloved series, and Bobby Bones continues his role as in-house mentor.
