American Idol announced a Season 24 winner on Monday night (May 11), and the picture is perfect.
The reality television show doesn’t have the same gravitas it once did, and ratings are nowhere near mid-2000s highs. However, this moment — when host Ryan Seacrest reveals who viewers voted for — never loses luster.
Even if it’s a familiar picture, it’s still a special one.
READ MORE: Every American Idol Winner, Ranked
The three-hour-long finale brought several rock, pop, hip-hop and country icons to the stage for unexpected collaborations.
Alicia Keys was the best of them, although Lee Ann Womack‘s duet with Hannah Harper was also very special.
Carrie Underwood’s American Idol Performance With Motley Crue
One of the most anticipated performances of the night was Carrie Underwood’s collab with rock legends Motley Crue. She did great, but many were critical of Vince Neil’s moment on stage.
We’ll let others dissect what went wrong, but the end result was not a highlight.
They sang parts of “Home Sweet Home” and “Kickstart My Heart,” the latter giving fans who love seeing the rock side of the country singer shine.
This is actually the second time this season she’s thrashed around the stage, following a very entertaining performance with Billy Idol in April.
Eric McCandless, Disney Via Getty Images
Who Won American Idol Season 24?
Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough and Keyla Richardson were the final three at the start of Monday’s episode. Midway through the show, Seacrest revealed a Top 2 and sent Richardson home.
Country music fans are always capable of deciding vote-based reality show contests. If there is someone worth voting for, they often tune in and vote in large numbers.
This is why there are so many hitmakers judging these shows; the genre is in some ways keeping this kind of television afloat.
Harper is definitely a country singer with promise, and she proved it again and again throughout the season. Did she even stumble? If so, fans forgot about it; thus, it wasn’t really a huge surprise when Seacrest revealed the results.
Hannah Harper won Season 24 of American Idol. Her response is familiar and iconic.
‘American Idol’ Finale Photo Gallery: Carrie Underwood, Hannah Harper, Alicia Keys and More
These pictures from the Season 24 American Idol finale spotlight the best moments, starting with the winning moment.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
