Recap: And the 2024 Winner Is...
This is it, the Grand Finale of "American Idol" 2024! Who has been crowned by America's votes as this year's Idol? Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie (who all also performed) and host Ryan Seacrest guided us through a night full of star-studded performances and surprises before the big reveal, so let's run down the show.
The show kicked off with our Top 3 - Abi Carter, Jack Blocker, and Will Moseley, singing Bon Jovi's legendary "Livin' on a Prayer" before being joined by lead singer and finale mentor Jon Bon Jovi for a taste of their new song, "Legendary".
The first round of performances were Bon Jovi songs:
• Will Moseley chose the anthem "It's My Life"
• Jack Blocker chose the ballad "I'll Be There For You"
• Abi Carter chose the ballad "Bed of Roses"
Jon Bon Jovi and the Top 3 kick off the show!
The next round of Top 3 performances started immediately – the Hometown Dedications. Before each contestant sung, we got to see a rundown of their pre-finale hometown visits.
And here are the second round of performances:
• Will Moseley performed "My Town" by Montgomery Gentry
• Jack Blocker performed "All My Ex's Live in Texas" by George Strait
• Abi Carter performed "Somewhere" from "West Side Story"
Before the first elimination of the night, we got two great artist/contestant team-ups – Jason Mraz hits the stage with Julia Gagnon for "I Feel Like Dancing" and Seal performed his hit "Crazy" with Jayna Elise. And while not performing, 2004 Idol winner Fantasia Barrino appeared 20 years after being crowned to inspire the contestants with all the possibilities that lay before them for success.
Eliminations
Eliminated and finishing Third Place:
• Jack Blocker
A Tribute to Katy
Next, a cornucopia of star-studded performances and team-ups:
• James Bay joined forces with McKenna Faith Breinholt, and Kaibrienne with his 6-time platinum hit "Let It Go"
• Luke was the first judge to performs, starting with "Love You, Miss You, Mean It" before teaming with Mia Matthews to sing "Run" by George Strait
• Lionel hit the stage next with the Top 12 to sing his hit "Running with the Night"
• Country star Cody Johnson sung "Til You Can't" with Triston Harper
• Bishop Briggs performed "Triumph" before being joined by Abi for her smash "River"
• Season 14 winner Nick Fradiani, with the help of Will, Jack, Triston Harper, Kayko, and Roman Collins, returned with Neil Diamond classics "America" and "Sweet Caroline" straight from his run in the Broadway musical "A Beautiful Noise"
• Hootie & The Blowfish (complete with Darius Rucker) were joined by Will for a medley of 3 of the big hits – "Hold My Hand", "Let Her Cry" and "Only Wanna Be With You"
• In a full circle moment, Katy Perry and Jack sung her ballad "What Makes A Woman" (with a rewritten verse by Jack)
• Legendary boy band NKOTB gave us a taste of their latest track "Kids" before being joined by Kayko for their classic "You Got It (The Right Stuff)"
• County legend Wynonna Judd was joined by Emmy Russell for "Coal Miner's Daughter" by Loretta Lynn and Wynonna's hit "No One Else on Earth"
• Gospel legend CeCe Winans performed her 2021 song "Goodness of God" with Roman
• The ladies of the Top 12 join forces to perform a tribute to Katy and her last episode as a judge (for now), with a medley of hits – "Teenage Dream", "Dark Horse" and "California Gurls"
From Idol Winner to Multi-Hyphenated Star, Fantasia Barrino Returns
Before they sung their new singles, there's a rundown of each Top 2 finalist's journey to this moment.
And here are the Top 2's singles:
• Will Moseley's single is "Good Book Bad"
• Abi Carter's single is "This Isn't Over"
And now, after weeks of performances and millions of votes, who is 2024's "American Idol" winner?
…
…
Congratulations…Abi Carter!
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