Following a cross-country search for the next singing sensation, "American Idol" rounded out its second season on ABC with an epic grand finale event, featuring "Idol"'s Top 3 contestants: Alejandro Aranda, Laine Hardy and Madison VanDenburg. For the first time in "Idol" history, America's live coast-to-coast vote determined the winner of the iconic singing competition series, as all voting took place during the show. The voting determined that Laine Hardy was crowned the winner of American Idol!
See photos below!
The crowning moment was preceded by special performances from music legends, including "Idol"'s very own superstar judges, the return of fan-favorite contestants from the current season and a special visit by last season's winner, Maddie Poppe. Poppe's debut album, "Whirlwind," drops on Friday, May 17.
Grand finale performances included, but were not limited to, the following:
Helping to determine the next singing sensation were music industry legends and all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Emmy® Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest hosted the beloved series in its second season on ABC, and famed multimedia personality Bobby Bones acted as in-house mentor.
Photo Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless and Kelsey McNeal
BOBBY BONES, Katy Perry, ALYSSA RAGHU, Lionel Richie, WADE COTA, Luke Bryan, ALEJANDRO ARANDA, LAINE HARDY, DIMITRIUS GRAHAM, UCHE, LACI KAYE BOOTH, JEREMIAH LLOYD HARMON
BOBBY BONES, MADISON VANDENBURG, ALEJANDRO ARANDA, ALYSSA RAGHU, WADE COTA, LAINE HARDY, UCHE, LACI KAYE BOOTH, WALKER BURROUGHS, JEREMIAH LLOYD HARMON
Ryan Seacrest, LAINE HARDY
Ryan Seacrest, LAINE HARDY, ALEJANDRO ARANDA
Ryan Seacrest, LAINE HARDY
Ryan Seacrest, LAINE HARDY
Ryan Seacrest, LAINE HARDY, ALEJANDRO ARANDA
LAINE HARDY
BOBBY BONES, ALEJANDRO ARANDA, MADISON VANDENBURG, WADE COTA, ALYSSA RAGHU, DIMITRIUS GRAHAM, LAINE HARDY, LACI KAYE BOOTH, UCHE, WALKER BURROUGHS, JEREMIAH LLOYD HARMON
Ryan Seacrest, LAINE HARDY
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