Laine Hardy Finally Revealed as the 'American Idol' Winner of Season 17

On Sunday, “American Idol” hosted a three-hour season 17 finale. The nation had the chance to choose its next winner with two singers hoping to take the title.

Laine Hardy competed alongside “American Idol” finalists Alejandro Aranda and Madison VanDenburg. The first contestant to be eliminated was VanDenburg who was voted out midway during a vote check-in.

In the end, Hardy took the episode 19 title! The singing competition took to Instagram with a video showing Hardy as the winner of the season’s title.

A second video showed Hardy standing alongside Aranda waiting to hear who would take the title. The two shared no hard feelings against each other when the winner was announced.

Before the winner was announced, Aranda performed two original songs, "Millennial Love" and "Tonight," to try and win America’s votes. VanDenburg also sang her own rendition of “A Star Is Born's” "Shallow."

The original song was sung by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in the award-winning movie. VanDenburg also belted out "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson. Hardy connected with his bayou roots by singing "Jambalaya" by Hank Williams and "Home" by Marc Broussard.

For her celebrity duet, VanDenburg was joined by Dan + Shay to sing “All To Myself” and “Speechless," Hardy’s duet was with performed Jon Pardi where the pair sang a medley of “Night Shift” and “Dirt On My Boots.”

“American Idol” judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie all joined in on the season finale activities. The musicians took to the stage with the contestants and with some of the celebrity guests.

Richie sang "Dancing on the Ceiling" with the Top 10 contestants of the season, while Perry joined Daddy Yankee to perform "Con Calm." She also teamed up with a former fan favorite contestant, Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, to sing her song "Unconditionally."

Bryan took to the stage alongside former Top 5 performer Laci Kaye Booth to perform “Knockin’ Boots” and “Every Breath You Take." One of “American Idol's” most famous winners, Carrie Underwood, also made a special appearance.

She performed her new hit single, “Southbound." To sing her third single from her latest album, “Cry Pretty,” she made sure to leave a lasting impression.

Underwood entered the stage dramatically on a riser with pyrotechnics blazing in the background. She wore a sparkly dress featuring a high slit that showed off her toned legs.

The singing competition is set to be renewed for an 18th season by ABC. The next season is expected to premiere in January 2020.