American Idol has a new champion! Noah Thompson wins season 20

Season 20 finale starring Noah Thompson, HunterGirl, and Leah Marlene

In Sunday’s American Idol season 20 finale, the top three contestants took to the stage one last time in hopes of taking home the first-place prize. After the American results rolled, Thompson was declared champion ahead of fellow finalists HunterGirl and Leah Marlene.

The 20-year-old winner performed three songs for the finale: “I’m on Fire” for Bruce Springsteen Circle. The original “One Day Tonight,” and “Stay” by Rihanna as her favorite song of the season.

“Oh my God … my heart is racing, crazy,” said Thompson after hearing the news of his victory live on stage. HunterGirl, 23, took second place with “Dancing in the Dark,” the original song “Red Bird” and its reprise of Riot. While 20-year-old Marlene took third with the original “Cover Me” and “Flowers.” “occupied place.

The three-hour finale, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, also includes performances by Flo Reed, Melissa Etheridge. Sarah Bareilles, Michael Buble, Ben Platt, James Arthur, Thomas Rhett, and Diana Carter, Ty Verdes, Season 16 finalist Gabby Barrett, and Earth.

Wind & Fire and the other top 10 competitors and judges.

Thompson, a construction worker and father of Louise, Kentucky, stole the hearts of Luke Brian, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie during his audition when he sang “Giving You Up.”

“When I was a kid, all I thought about was making music and being famous. But where I come from, you don’t have much choice. My family believes in me, and the people I work with believe in me, but I never believed in myself,” he said. Thompson later added, “I would never sign up for anything with that confidence. His best friend chased him and brought him to the event.