American Idol crowned Maddie Poppe the winner of the first season of its ABC revival after the season's runner-up, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, publicly revealed they are dating!
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American Idol's finale was full of love, surprises and amazing performances -- and it all came down to Maddie, a 20-year-old college student from Clarksville, IA, winning the title of "the next American Idol."
As Idol's latest winner, Maddie will receive a recording contract with Hollywood Records and the opportunity to sing at the Hollywood Bowl this week as well as the Radio Disney Music Awards.
Maddie's boyfriend, Caleb, an 18-year-old country musician from Dallas, GA, finished in second place.
Before the results of America's vote was announced by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, Maddie and Caleb sang an adorable duet of "Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, which was filled with hand-holding and a lot of blushing.
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"Maddie is my best pal. I've known her since the beginning of Hollywood Week and, you know, she actually happens to be my girlfriend," Caleb disclosed to the audience, who broke out into cheers and applause.
"The two of them are a couple and they're competing for the title!" Ryan said.
And in a bit of a shocker, Gabby Barrett, a 17-year-old high school student from Pittsburgh, PA, finished the reality singing competition in third place. She had been a frontrunner all season long given her powerhouse vocal and raving reviews from the judges.
Ironically, Gabby also entered a relationship while competing on American Idol with Top 5 contestant Cade Foehner.
During Monday night's two-hour live finale, Maddie also performed "Rainbow Connection" with Kermit the Frog, Caleb belted out "Wagon Wheel" with Darius Rucker, and Gabby sang "Most People Are Good" with judge Luke Bryan.
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As for the other two judges, Katy Perry took the stage with Top 7 contestant Catie Turner for a performance of Katy's song "Part of Me," and Lionel impressed with an energetic performance of his hit single "All Night Long" alongside the Top 10 contestants.
Other famous faces in the music industry who graced the American Idol stage for the finale were Patti LaBelle, Gary Clark Jr., Nick Jonas, LeAnn Rimes, and Yolanda Adams.
Maddie received the most home viewer votes following Sunday night's broadcast, which featured the Top 3 finalists each performing three songs -- an encore performance from this season, a song dedicated to each artist's hometown, and an original single written and recorded for each finale contender.
Maddie's original song is called "Going Going Gone," and she belted it out again on Monday night once she was crowned the new American Idol.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski