American Idol Season 20 concludes in epic fashion as the Top 3 each take the Idol stage in hopes of securing America’s voice, including a round dedicated to The Boss. Bruce Springsteen. Eventually host Ryan Seacrest will nominate a winner to be the next American Idol. In addition to the finalists, there will be stunning performances from superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richieas well as idol legend Carrie underwood and superstars James Arthur, Sarah Bareilles, Gaby Barrett, Michael Bubble, Deana Carter, earth, wind, Melissa Etheridge, Flo Rida, Ben Platt, Thomas Rhett, Tai Verdes and more.
Follow our recap of the grand finale of American Idol Season 20 Episode 20 as the top 3 take the stage one last time in hopes of becoming this year’s winner. will huntress, Leah Marlene or Noah Thompson take the crown
SEE Meet the top three finalists battling for the American voice [PHOTOS]
This season, judges embark on another nationwide search for America’s next singing sensation. Auditions were held in Nashville, Tennessee, Austin, Texas and Los Angeles, California. With a golden ticket, hopeful idols advanced into the Hollywood circuit. In a new twist this season, three contestants received a platinum ticket that allowed them to skip the first phase of Hollywood week. Kenedi Anderson retired from competition on April 11. jay made it into the top 7 and was eliminated on May 8th. Huntergirl is in the top 3 in the Grand Finals.
SEE Everything you need to know about the 20th season of “American Idol”.
Follow all the action from Night 20 of American Idol Season 20 below. Timestamps are Eastern Standard Time. Click refresh for the latest thoughts on today’s live finals!
8:00 pm — Previously, the top 5 performed on “American Idol” for America’s Vote. After Seacrest announced the top 5, we said goodbye Fritz Hager and Nicolina. A champion will be crowned tonight. Let’s go!
8:07 p.m — The finale begins with a performance of Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling” on the roof of the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. I think nine of the top 10 perform alongside him, I don’t see it Emyrson Flora. Maybe she didn’t make it? She’s still in high school, maybe she had other commitments. Seacrest then lets the entire audience down by announcing that there has been a COVID exposure Carrie underwood‘s crew, so due to protocols, Carrie will not be performing tonight. The show starts in Battle Round. After two rounds of music, we see a snapshot of the vote and the third-place finisher is eliminated! Let’s go!
8:12 p.m — Round 1 will feature performances from the legendary songbook Bruce Springsteen. First is is Leah Marlene Sing “Cover Me”. She rocks the guitar but I’m not sure I would have picked that song for her. There are so many classics, why this one? That doesn’t really do her voice any good. In the end I think sure she sounds great but what a memorable moment. Lionel says it’s not a well-known song (thanks!) but she brought us in anyway (not really). Katy calls it “such a groove” and thinks Leah is the complete package.
8:18 p.m — huntress Next up is a far superior song choice, “Dancing in the Dark”. Unfortunately, she only sings about half of the notes in the right key. Sorry, I know the judges won’t mention it, but she’s everywhere. Maybe it was nerves, but that was one of her worst vocal performances. Katy applauds her for bringing “electricity” to her performance. Luke likes their song choices. Lionel wants her jacket.
8:28 p.m — Noah Thompson will conclude this first round with “I’m on Fire”. This is a great song choice and suits his raspy voice. It’s a bit stiff on stage, but it sounds good. He’s the heartthrob of the season so I’d say he won that round. Luke calls him the “King of Aw Shucks”. Lionel says he’s “an artist” now. Katy says Noah picked her favorite Springsteen song and it just rushed in and captured everyone’s heart in America. Ryan asks the judges who’s in the lead. Of course, they totally buckle and refuse to answer. It’s kind of annoying, just give an opinion! I give mine Noah won this round.
8:40 p.m — In Round 2, the finalists will sing their debut singles after a recap of their Hometown Hero visit. After her trip to Normal, Illinois, Leah will sing her original song “Flowers.” She has such a beautiful tone. This song has one Stevie Nicks atmosphere, but I think Leah could have a lot of success in the country genre if she chose to go that route. She bends genres in a way reminiscent of Brandi Carlile. Lionel gives her props for her songwriting skills. Katy cries and says she feels blessed to be part of the show. She believes Leah’s song will change lives. Luke says the song is great and he is overwhelmed with joy watching her.
8:52 p.m — After his trip back to Louisa, Kentucky, Noah sings his original song “One Day Tonight”. This is a song that has already charted well on iTunes, leading me to believe it’s the likely winner. It’s a fairly simple song, but it delivers a solid performance. The video package about his journey home will influence voters much more than this performance. Katy tells him not to stop dreaming. Lionel says there’s nothing better in life than having the mayor, friends, and high school be there for you. But what makes your career last forever is when people fall in love with you.
9:05 p.m — After traveling back to Winchester, Tennessee, HunterGirl concludes Round 2 with a performance of her single “Red Bird.” But wow, that video clip of her with the veterans was so impressive. That was a tearjerker. It was great to see the impact she had on these veterans. I love the staging of this performance. The lyrics are beautiful. Luke is emotional because his farm is called Red Bird Farm. Katy says everyone’s doing something special tonight.
9:20 p.m — earth, wind sings “Shining Star”, “Let’s Groove” and “September” with Top 7 finalist jay. That was fun! Next, top 10 finalist Mike Parker joins the CMA winner Deana Carter for an interpretation of “Strawberry Wine”. Loved it. But now it’s time for business. Each of the top 3 finalists has performed twice. Viewers have been voting for over an hour and now it’s time for the person with the fewest votes to be eliminated. The singer in third place is Leah Marlene. She’s had a great run, but it’s going to be a country showdown for the season 20 title.
9:33 p.m — Ben Platt will be accompanied by a top 10 finalist Lady K for a performance by Elton Johns “Take me to the pilot.” I love the look she rocks. She looks like a superstar up there and sounds fantastic. Then Idol alum Gaby Barrett returns to sing her single “Pick Me Up”. Next, Emyrson Flora joins Gabby to sing “The Good Ones,” so I’m guessing she’s there! I just must not have seen them in that earlier group performance.
9:45 p.m — Tai Verdes stands on stage and sings “AOK” along Vinnie Guardino, Lady K, Jay, Mike and Emyrson. Next, “She Used to Be Mine” is sung Sarah Bareilles with top 5 finalist Nicolina. Honestly, this performance is better than anything we’ve seen from the finalists tonight, but it’s a killer song and Nicolina is a vocal beast.
9:47 p.m — Just a small note on what’s happening live on the iTunes charts as this finale progresses. HunterGirl’s single “Red Bird” is currently at No. 3, and Noah’s “One Day Tonight” is at No. 5. That’s not much of a gap between them, but does that mean HunterGirl could come out on top tonight? “Flowers” by Leah Marlene is in 14th place.
9:57 p.m — Katy Perry joins the stage Thomas Rhett to sing their collaboration “Where We Started”. It was nice. Then top 5 finalist Fritz Hager joins James Arthur for a performance of “Can I Be Him”. Fritz sounds great!
10:10 p.m — Michael Bubble makes good on his promise to take the stage with Top 7 finalist Vinny for a performance of “Smile.” They sound great together. Such a dramatic rendition! Next Melissa Etheridge is joined by Noah for “I’m the Only One”. Okay, Noah’s on the rise, but the kid doesn’t have the presence to stand alongside a rock legend. She kind of eats him alive, but it’s still great to watch him do it! At one point, even Noah has no choice but to step back and smile while Melissa goes nuts on stage.
10:30 p.m — Lionel Richie takes the stage with the top 10 finalists to sing “You Are.” He’s a living legend. Next, Ben Platt and Sara Bareilles return to sing “Grow As We Go” together. Jay, Nicolina, Fritz and Leah serve as backup singers. Then Ryan brings out HunterGirl and Noah to let them know they both won a Disney cruise. After a commercial break, Katy accompanies Leah to a performance of “Firework.” I love it! Then Luke Bryan joins HunterGirl for my favorite Randy Travis song, “I Told You So”. This is actually the best thing HunterGirl played all night.
10:42 p.m — Noah has finished his last performance of the evening. It’s a repeat of “Stay” by rihanna, which he sang on the Hollywood Showstopper round. Look how far he’s come since then! He looks sharp in a suit with no tie. Noah could have landed a country hit with it. Katy says, “How dare you wear that suit and sing that song!” Luke says when Noah sang it for the first time, they knew he had something special. He just proved it more.
10:50 p.m — For HunterGirl’s final performance, she sings her original audition song, “Riot.” Rascal Flatts. On stage she appears calm and collected. It’s wise of her to choose a song for her final moment that she feels so comfortable with. She records everything! Katy Says “American Idol” Ends Tonight But Her Career Will Be Forever. Luke says he has no doubt HunterGirl will have a great career. Lionel says he’s proud to say he’s been with her on her journey to superstardom.
10:59 p.m — The final voting of the season is now complete. It’s about time Seacrest brought us the news. American Idol Season 20 Winner is Noah Thompson! Congratulations Noah! HunterGirl is an honorable runner-up. Noah closes the show with his winning single “One Day Tonight”. That wraps up this season of American Idol.