American Idol viewers were faced with a rollercoaster of emotions on Sunday night, with many crying as contestant Abi Carter was crowned the winner and Katy Perry bowed out with a heartbreaking farewell, before teasing a possible return.
The ABC show concluded with a jam-packed three-hour episode, in which Will Moseley, Jack Blocker and Abi sang to survive in a bid to be crowned season 22 champions.
The finale also marked Katy’s final appearance as a judge after seven seasons on the panel alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, with the singer stepping down to focus on personal projects.
Emotions were already running high shortly after the show began, with Katy, 39, visibly upset as she was introduced by host Ryan Seacrest, 49.
American Idol viewers cried after Katy Perry’s emotional farewell
More tears followed as season 22 champion Abi, 21, burst into tears after learning she had won the series.
‘You’re crying?’ Ryan asked after Katy tilted her head.
“We’re going to miss you,” he said as he hugged her, adding, “We’re already excited tonight.”
“Katy is a mess,” Luke said.
More tears came when Abi, 21, from Indio, California, broke down upon learning she had won the $250,000 cash prize and a recording contract, becoming the first female contestant in four years to take the title.
Stunned by the final results, a shocked Abi dramatically fell to her knees and had to be helped to her feet by presenter Ryan.
He quickly composed and sang Billie Eilish’s hit What Was I Made For? when she finished the show.
Naturally, the collection of moments struck a chord with viewers at home, who took to social media to share their emotions as the episode aired.
One wrote: ‘Watching @AbiCarterMusic win this season of #American Idol just now made me cry with joy! Abi embodies the true qualities of American Idol. A beautiful, kind, humble person, based on faith and family, with a beautiful God-given voice. Congratulations Abi! God bless you!’
Viewers at home took to social media to share their emotions as the episode aired.
Another said: ‘Abi Carter, the WINNER you are!!! Singing What was I made for? right after being declared the winner…. I love childhood. I probably won’t stop crying tonight, I’m so proud of her.’
A third admitted: “Seeing Abi and Katy cry made me cry even more.”
Another posted: ‘USA DID THE DAMN THING AND QUEEN ABI WON AMERICAN IDOL!! My God. I’m sobbing through it What was I made for? performance at this time. SO DESERVED.’
Katy paid tribute to her time on the show, wearing a long skirt with the faces of previous contestants from its seven seasons, while performing an emotional duet with Jack Blocker.
The pair sang What Makes A Woman from Katy’s 2020 album Smile, with Katy levitating above the stage.
Even though last night’s final marked the end of his tenure as a judge, he has already hinted at a possible return.
speaking to Entertainment tonight, said, ‘Keep that seat warm.’ I mean, who knows. I loved everything I got to experience and learn.’
Abi dramatically fell to her knees in disbelief and presenter Ryan had to help her to her feet.
Lionel, Katy and Luke have been judges together on American Idol since the show moved from Fox to ABC.
While show bosses are yet to formally announce a replacement for Katy, she has weighed in on what it will take to take the reins.
“I hope it’s someone brave,” he told the publication. “I hope it’s someone who doesn’t pull his punches, maybe someone a little polarizing like me.”
“There are a lot of people who say, ‘It’s horrible! She should go! “And there are a lot of people who say: “She says what she thinks!” She is authentic!
‘Anyway, you can’t win them all. “I think it’s actually better not to win them all because that means you really have a point of view.”
Katy surprisingly revealed in February during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live that this would be her last season as a judge on American Idol.
Katy paid tribute to her time on the show, wearing a long skirt with the faces of previous contestants from its seven seasons, while performing an emotional duet with Jack Blocker.
She has already hinted at a possible return despite finishing her last episode.
Following her win, Abi took to Instagram to share her pride at becoming the first female winner in four years.
Captioning his post, he wrote: ‘HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE!??!?!?!? I couldn’t have imagined winning #americanidol when I started this whole journey.
“We haven’t had a winner in more than 4 years and being the first after so many seasons is the greatest honor.
‘I’m just a girl from Indio, who used to sing on street corners, and now I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working with some of the most talented people in the industry and being heard by millions of people.
‘This is my dream and I know it’s just the beginning. I love you all so much.’