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'American Idol' winner revealed

Junie Sihlangu
May 22, 2018
10:05 A.M.

The 16th season of American Idol had its season finale recently. On the show, the winner was chosen as Maddie Poppe.

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One of the runner-ups was Caleb Lee Hutchinson who also had some surprising news for the judges and audience. According to People, he and Poppe are dating.

The winner of American Idol, Poppe, 19, is an Iowa native who is known for her soothing voice and strong artistic ability. However, this wasn’t the only big news for Poppe.

During the last 15 minutes of the show the second runner-up, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, told the show’s host, Ryan Seacrest that they were dating. “Well Maddie is my pal and I’ve known her since the beginning of Hollywood week. And she actually happens to be my girlfriend,” Hutchinson revealed.

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Judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie were completely surprised by the news. Perry even spun around in her chair in shock multiple times.

After revealing the big news, the couple performed Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s Somewhere Over the Rainbow together. They even held hands during their performance.

‘MY GIRLFRIEND WON AMERICAN IDOL!!! No one deserved it more than you babe.’

Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Twitter, May 22, 2018

When their song was done, the pair was surprised with a free trip to Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawaii. Poppe shared that she couldn’t believe that people believed in her the way that they did.

She told reporters after the show that being named the winner was incredible. Before finding out that she had won, Poppe shared about her hard times during the competition.

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She revealed during the semifinals on Sunday that there were many moments where she felt like giving up. Poppe won the hearts of millions of fans including all the judges.

After her last performance on Sunday night, where she sang Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide, Perry didn’t bother judging her. Instead, the singer pulled out her phone and told Poppe that she was voting for her.

After the show, Perry admitted to reports that no one had told her she couldn’t vote for her favorite contestant. Monday’s finale included performances from the judges.

Other celebrities who took the stage was Bebe Rexha, Darius Rucker, Gary Clark Jr., Nick Jonas and Mustard, Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams, Kermit the Frog, and the top 10 finalists.

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