Chayce Beckham was named the winner of “American Idol 2021 on Sunday, May 23rd. Beckham was announced the winner at the end of the three-hour live finale. Competing with the Apple Valley California resident for the title was Grace Kinstler who finished in third and Willie Spence who was the runner-up.
Beckham took the stage after being announced the winner and performed his original single “23′. The song climbed to the top of the Top 100 and Country iTunes charts.
The 24 year old singer from Apple Valley, California is the first winner from California and the first to write his hit coronation song. Beckham first impressed the judges at his audition. He auditioned for the show not long after surviving a near fatal car crash due to his prior alcohol use.
When asked if he ever thought that he would be in this position? “No, I never in a million years, I thought that I would be sitting here, especially with the people that I was competing against this year. You know this is my family. It was not a competition. It was so much love throughout the whole way. I don’t even know what to say. I really don’t. I’m lost for words” Beckham said to TVMusic Network and reporters in a virtual Q & A backstage right after his win.
Beckham speaks highly of his fellow Idol contestants. When asked about his competition and if he ever felt like he may win at any time during the competition. Beckham stated “That’s the thing, you know. I mean, whenever I was singing with, I got Willie and Grace, you know they’re competing against me and they’re no slouches. Credible vocalists, I can’t speak for everybody because I’m in the house when Willie Sings. If y’all haven’t been in the house when he sings, the whole house shakes it rumbles people. You feel him, you feel it, I don’t think you can even convey it across the TV screen, so I think whenever I’m in there, Anyone can take this. I would have been happy if it’s Grace, I’m happy if it was Willie, I don’t know anybody more deserving. Everyone in the Top 10 deserved it. You know wonderful people and never once was I like, I got this in the bag. You know, because like I said, as soon as you start thinking that you know what’s going to happen, it soon happens the other way.”
Beckham plans to move to Nashville, Tennessee and plans to record his album and tour.
Best advice he received while on the show that he plans to take with him.
“The best advice I got was definitely from Brandon Boyd Incubus front man. He told me when we were doing an interview. Basically the best superpower that you can develop is being able to block out all these cameras and all these lights and just realize that you’re just here to sing and have fun and do what God brought you here to do. Don’t worry about all this. There is stuff that is around you, all the lights, the confetti, the judges, he says, forget about that and just go up there and sing and enjoy yourself. I think I really didn’t understand what he was talking about until tonight and I really got to go up there and enjoy myself and have a good time at that point so I’ll never forget that advice he gave me.
American Idol will return in the Spring of 2022 for Season 5 on ABC.
