“American Idol” crowned its winner on a special three-hour live coast-to-coast season finale event on Sunday night May 23rd on ABC.
The top three finalists – Grace Kinstler, Chayce Beckham, and Willie Spence took the stage one last time to perform in hopes of securing America’s vote and becoming the winner. Macklemore opened the show singing “Can’t Hold Us” with The Top 3.
The singers then performed 3 solos on Sunday night. A Hometown Song, A repeat favorite performance and the judges choice. Here are the song choices for the show. For the Hometown Song” segment Chayce Beckham performed “Fire Away” by Chris Stapleton, Grace Kinstler performed “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston and Willie Spence performed “A Change Is Gonna Come”- Sam Cooke.
For the judges choice Chayce Beckham performed “Blackbird,” by The Beatles, Grace Kinstler performed “All By Myself” by and Willie Spence performed “Georgia On My Mind”-Ray
For favorite performance Chayce Beckham reprised “Afterglow”- Ed Sheeran and Willie Spence revised “Stand Up”- Cynthia Erivo
The Top 3 became a Top 2 after the first hour as Grace Kinstler was eliminated, finishing in the 3rd place.
The Top 9 contestants returned to join music artists Chaka Khan, Lindsey Buckingham, Alessia Cara, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Fall Out Boy, Mickey Guyton, Leona Lewis and Macklemore with on stage performances.
Celebrity duets included:
Fall Out Boy – “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)” with Willie Spence, Deshawn Goncalves, Chayce Beckham and Hunter Metts
Chaka Khan – Medley of “I’m Every Woman,” “Ain’t Nobody,” “Sweet Thing” and “Through the Fire” with Deshawn Goncalves, Casey Bishop, Alyssa Wray, Cassandra Coleman and Grace Kinstler
Macklemore – “Can’t Hold Us” with Chayce Beckham, Grace Kinstler and Willie Spence
Luke Combs – “Forever After All” with Chayce Beckham
Mickey Guyton – “Black Like Me” with Alyssa Wray
Leona Lewis – “You Are the Reason” with Willie Spence
Alessia Cara – “Scars to Your Beautiful” with Grace Kinstler
Sheryl Crow – “Every Day Is a Winding Road” and “If It Makes You Happy” with Graham DeFranco
Lindsey Buckingham – “Go Your Own Way” with Cassandra Coleman
Fan favorite Murphy also made a return appearance to the show and performed a medley of his songs “Painted Man” and ” Am I Still Mine . The judges also performed duets. Luke Bryan performed “Living on a Prayer’ with finalist Casey Bishop, Katy Perry performed her song “Thinking of You” with finalist Hunter Metts and Lionel Richie performed his song “One World” with the eight of the finalists.
After the last voting closed the winner was Chayce Beckham from Apple Valley, California. Willie Spence was the runner up.
