American Idol: Laine Hardy wins season 17 during three-hour finale on ABC after finishing in Top 50
Laine Hardy was named the winner of American Idol on Sunday during a three-hour season finale.
The 18-year-old Louisiana singer beat out Alejandro Aranda, 25, and Madison VanDenburg, 17, to win season 17 of the ABC show.
Laine previously appeared on season 16 of American Idol but was eliminated at the Top 50.
The winner: Laine Hardy was named the winner of American Idol on Sunday during a three-hour finale on ABC
The top three each performed two new songs during the finale and afterward Madison was declared the third-place finisher.
The two remaining finalists then took to the stage again as Alejandro performed his original song Out Loud while Laine took on the Sam Cooke song Bring It On Home To Me.
Show host Ryan Seacrest after viewer voting declared that Laine was the winner and he then performed his original song Flame.
Maddie Poppe, 21, won season 16 of American Idol in May 2018.
Original song: The 18-year-old Louisiana singer beat out Alejandro Aranda, 25, and Madison VanDenburg, 17, to win season 17 of the ABC show and then sang his original song Flame