‘American Idol’ Officially Crowns This Season’s Winner

Who took home the coveted title as the next 'American Idol?'

‘American Idol’ Officially Crowns This Season’s Winner
AMERICAN IDOL - "119 (Grand Finale)" - Following amazing performances by music superstars and legends, including our very own "American Idol" judges, the winner of Season 1 of "American Idol" on ABC will finally be crowned, as the search for AmericaÕs next superstar comes to a close on its new home on AmericaÕs network, The ABC Television Network, MONDAY, MAY 21 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EDT). (ABC/Mitch Haaseth) CALEB LEE HUTCHINSON, MADDIE POPPE

After weeks of giving everything up in the live performances and the excruciating pressure during the voting rounds, American Idol finally determined a winner.

The last three contestants consisted of Gabby Barrett, Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Maddie Poppe, who each paved their own paths to the finale through their unique stylings and progressive growth throughout the competition. Rather than anxiously await their fate though, they got the opportunity to have some fun with a few special guests as well as welcome back the eliminated faces from weeks prior.

Barrett had the honor of singing with judge Luke Bryan as he introduced his single for the summer, “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset.” They harmonized quite well together, and Bryan let Barrett take her star power to the front of the stage for one of her last hurrahs. She also teamed up with Bebe Rexha and the fellow Idol finalists for “Meant to Be,” before finding out that she would take third place.

Darius Rucker stopped by to sing with Hutchinson on the country anthem, “Wagon Wheel.” Honing in yet again on his roots to build the song up alongside Rucker, it seemed like Hutchinson enjoyed his moments brushing shoulders with a music legend such as Rucker.

It wouldn’t be a finale without a little bit of drama thrown into the mix, as fans discovered that Hutchinson and Poppe were indeed a couple as they performed together on a medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World.” The two held hands and supported each other through loving looks throughout the entire duet, causing for a few yells of support from the crowd.

In the end, Poppe heard her name called out as the ultimate winner of American Idol and instantly teared up over all the joy she felt. The victory tasted so sweet that Poppe couldn’t hardly get through a full verse or chorus of her induction song, “Going, Going, Gone.” The judges gave her a standing ovation nonetheless for taking home the prized title and beginning her road to success from that moment on.

American Idol has been renewed for a second season, with no word on when the next round will commence.