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Season 16 of American Idol premiered on ABC on Sunday March 11, 2018 and ended on May 21, 2018. The announcement of the show returning was announced on Good Morning America on May 9, 2017. It is the show's first season to air on ABC. Ryan Seacrest returned as the host. Singer-songwriter Katy Perry, country music superstar Luke Bryan, and Grammy Award-winning musician Lionel Richie joined the show as judges. iHeartRadio radio personality Bobby Bones was the in-house mentor to the top 24 this season.

This season was won by twenty-year-old Iowa singer-songwriter Maddie Poppe.

Auditions[]

The auditions for ABC's revival season began two bus tours in 22 cities. Those who passed their first audition would go in front of the producers where they would be selected to appear before the judges in different cities.

Audition Cities[]

The following cities held auditions for Season 16, dates of the auditions are also shown.

Second Chance Auditions[]

During the live broadcast of the 2017 American Music Awards, three contestants who did not pass the audition in front of the judges were given one more chance to allow the public to vote for them. The three candidates were Maris, Britney Holmes and Dominique Smith. The winner of the golden ticket to Hollywood was then revealed the following night on an episode of Dancing with the Stars. Lionel Richie appeared in the show announcing that the public vote was in favor of Britney Holmes, a 28-year-old vocal coach from Texas, who headed to Hollywood as the first declared semifinalist of the season.

Hollywood Week[]

During Hollywood Week, the contestants must perform in front of the judges in hopes of advancing to the next round. These rounds consist of numerous cuts while the contestants perform in solos and in groups. Only the best contestants will advance.

Judgement Round[]

The first judgement round of Hollywood was known as "Lines of Ten". Numerous groups of contestants lined up in sets of ten to perform a song individually. After a line performed, the judges chose the best to advance on while others were cut from the competition. Those who advanced moved on to the group rounds.

Group Rounds[]

The group rounds are the ultimate test of the stability and harmony of an artist within a group. Like previous seasons, contestants were required to assemble into gender neutral groups of three or more. Those who failed to assemble a group of three or more, were instantly disqualified due to the three person rule. Groups who gave a quality performance advanced on to the next round. However, groups or certain group members that didn't perform to a good enough extent were cut from the competition.

Solo Round[]

Those who advanced passed the Group Rounds had to perform a solo in front of the judges. After the performances, 50 contestants were chosen to perform in front of a live audience for their Final Judgement.

Showcase Week[]

After the Top 51 performed in front of their first full audience, they met with the judges for their Final Judgement. Only 24 were able to advance to the next round while the rest were unfortunately cut from the season.

Top 24[]

After the Final Judgement, 24 contestants were chosen to move on to the Semifinals.

Males:

Jonny Brenns Ron Bultongez Brandon Diaz Dominique Marcio Donaldson Cade Foehner
Caleb Lee Hutchinson Garrett Jacobs Dennis Lorenzo Trevor McBane Adam Sanders Michael J. Woodard

Females:

Gabby Barrett Amelia Hammer Harris Jurnee Mara Justine Kay Kay Shannon O'Hara
Effie Passero Maddie Poppe Alyssa Raghu Layla Spring Michelle Sussett Catie Turner

Semifinals[]

During the Semifinals of Season 16, the Top 24 performed in solos and in duets with Idol Alumni. The Top 24 was split into two groups, one group performing one week and the other the following week. After the combination of solos and duets were performed within a group, the judges handpicked only seven out of the twelve to continue to the next round of competition. The remaining five contestants were cut from the season. By the end of the the Top 24's performances, the Top 14 were revealed.

Celebrity Duets[]

Instead of Idol alumni since Season 15, celebrity singers were chosen as duet partners for the Top 24 contestants. Aloe Blacc, Bishop Briggs, Luis Fonsi, Andy Grammer, Patrick Monahan, Allen Stone, and Sugarland for the first group while Banners, Colbie Caillat, Cam, Lea Michele, Rachel Platten, Bebe Rexha, and Allen Stone were assigned for the second group.

Top 14[]

The following contestants advanced on to the Top 14:

Males

Females

Semifinal Voting Rounds[]

On March 22, the fourteen semifinalists competed for America's vote for their places in the Top 10. During the next day's live results, the six contestants who received the highest amount of votes were Poppe, Foehner, Barrett, Hutchinson, Woodard and Turner, who advanced in the Finals while the eight remaining singers who received the least amount of votes had to sing for four remaining spots to advance. Afterwards, the judges selected Sanders, Jurnee, Sussett and Lorenzo to complete the Top 10.

Top 10[]

AIABCTOP10

The Finalists (left to right): Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Dennis Lorenzo, Maddie Poppe, Michael J. Woodard, Jurnee, Catie Turner, Cade Foehner, Gabby Barrett, Michelle Sussett & Adam Sanders

The following contestants were Season 16's Top 10:

Finals[]

Top 10 perform[]

During this season's live shows, each performance offered real-time voting before the end of the show until the Finale on March 21. In the first round of the Finals, the contestants performed songs from the Disney films. The first three finalists were eliminated after the performances.

Eliminated Contestants[]

Michelle-sussett-20032868

Michelle Sussett was one of the first three finalists to be eliminated on April 28, 2018 bringing the total down to 7 remaining contestants.

Ada-vox-20032855

Adam Sanders was one of the first three finalists to be eliminated on April 28, 2018 bringing the total down to 7 remaining contestants.

Dennis-lorenzo-20032859

Dennis Lorenzo was one of the first three finalists to be eliminated on April 28, 2018 bringing the total down to 7 remaining contestants.

Top 7[]

The following contestants advanced on to the Top 7:

Performances[]

The contestants performed in the following order:

Group Performance:

  • Group performance: "When You Wish Upon a Star" with Katy Perry

Top 7 perform[]

The seven finalists who survived the first live show participated for the Idol Tour 2018. During this round of the Finals, the contestants performed songs written by Prince and from the year they were born. Afterwards, two contestants were eliminated at the end of the program.

Eliminated Contestants[]

Catie-turner-20032858

Catie Turner was one of the two contestants eliminated on May 6, 2018 bringing the total down to 5 remaining contestants.

Jurnee-20032863

Jurnee was one of the two contestants eliminated on May 6, 2018 bringing the total down to 5 remaining contestants.

Top 5[]

The following contestants advanced on to the Top 5:

Performances[]

The contestants performed in the following order:

Top 5 perform[]

During this round of the Finals, the contestants performed songs from the Carrie Underwood Songbook and a dedication performance to their respective mothers. For the first time after fifteen seasons, the surviving three contestants competed in the Finale on May 20, 2018.

Eliminated Contestants[]

Michael-woodard-20032867

Michael J. Woodard was one of the two contestants eliminated on May 13, 2018 bringing the total down to 3 remaining contestants.

Cade-foehner-20032856

Cade Foehner was one of the two contestants eliminated on May 13, 2018 bringing the total down to 3 remaining contestants.

Top 3[]

The following contestants advanced on to the Top 3:

Performances[]

The contestants performed in the following order:

Group Performance:

Top 3 perform[]

In the Finale, the final three contestants performed their winner's single, a reprise of their favorite performance and a dedication to their respective hometowns. During the final results, the contestant who finished in third place was revealed midway of the program followed by the announcement of the winner at the end of the show.

Third place[]

Gabby-barrett-20032860

Gabby Barrett finished in third place on May 21, 2018.

Runner-Up[]

Caleb-lee-hutchison-20032857

Caleb Lee Hutchinson was announced as the Runner-Up on May 21, 2018.

Performances[]

The contestants performed in the following order:

Winner[]

Maddie-poppe-20032864

Maddie Poppe was declared the winner of first revival season of American Idol on May 21, 2018.

Guest Performances[]

  • Carrie Underwood - "Cry Pretty" (May 13, 2018)
  • Lionel Richie with the Top 10 - "All Night Long" (May 21, 2018)
  • Nick Jonas & Mustard - "Anywhere" (May 21, 2018)
  • Luke Bryan - "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset" (May 21, 2018)
  • Kermit the Frog & Maddie Poppe - "Rainbow Connection" (May 21, 2018)
  • Maddie Poppe - "Going Going Gone" (May 21, 2018)

Notable Past Contestants[]

  • Skylar Dayne, who was cut in Hollywood week, later tried out for the Fox singing competition show The Four: Battle for Stardom, where she was eliminated in the show's second week.

Gallery[]

Videos[]

Season 16
Finalists
Maddie Poppe ยทCaleb Lee Hutchinson ยทGabby Barrett ยทCade Foehner ยทMichael J. Woodard ยทJurnee ยทCatie Turner ยทDennis Lorenzo ยทMichelle Sussett ยทAda Vox ยทJonny Brenns ยทMarcio Donaldson ยทGarrett Jacobs ยทMara Justine
Semifinalists
Ron Bultongez ยทAmelia Hammer Harris ยทShannon O'Hara ยทEffie Passero ยทAlyssa Raghu ยทBrandon Diaz ยทDominique ยทKay Kay ยทTrevor McBane ยทLayla Spring
American Idol
Seasons
1  ยท 2  ยท 3  ยท 4 ยท 5  ยท 6  ยท 7  ยท 8  ยท 9  ยท 10  ยท 11 ยท 12 ยท 13 ยท 14 ยท 15 ยท 16 ยท 17 ยท 18 ยท 19 20. 21|-style="background:#5D8AA8" align="center" width="100%" Judges
Simon Cowell (Seasons 1-9)  ยท Paula Abdul (Seasons 1-8) ยท Randy Jackson (Seasons 1-12) ยท Kara DioGuardi (Seasons 8-9) ยท Ellen DeGeneres (Season 9) ยท Steven Tyler (Seasons 10-11)  ยท Nicki Minaj (Season 12)  ยท Mariah Carey (Season 12) ยท Jennifer Lopez (Seasons 10-11,13-15)  ยท Keith Urban (Seasons 12-15)  ยท Harry Connick, Jr. (Seasons 13-15)  ยท Katy Perry (Seasons 16-)  ยท Luke Bryan (Seasons 16-)  ยท Lionel Richie (Seasons 16-)
Hosts
Ryan Seacrest (Seasons 1-16) ยท Brian Dunkleman (Season 1)
Winners
Kelly Clarkson ยท Ruben Studdard ยท Fantasia Barrino ยท Carrie Underwood ยท Taylor Hicks ยท Jordin Sparks ยท David Cook ยท Kris Allen ยท Lee DeWyze ยท Scotty McCreery ยท Phillip Phillips ยท Candice Glover ยท Caleb Johnson ยท Nick Fradiani ยท Trent Harmon ยท Maddie Poppe ยท Laine Hardy ยท Just Sam  ยทChayce Beckham  ยท Noah Thompson  ยท Iam Tongi
Justin Guarini ยท Clay Aiken ยท Diana DeGarmo ยท Bo Bice ยท Katharine McPhee ยท Blake Lewis ยท David Archuleta ยท Adam Lambert ยท Crystal Bowersox ยท Lauren Alaina ยท Jessica Sanchez ยท Kree Harrison ยท Jena Irene ยท Clark Beckham ยท La'Porsha Renae ยท Caleb Lee Hutchinson ยท Alejandro Aranda ยท Arthur Gunn  ยท Willie Spence  ยท Huntergirl  ยท| Megan Danielle

style="background:#5D8AA8" align="center" width="100%"

Coronation Songs
"A Moment Like This" ยท "Flying Without Wings" ยท "I Believe" ยท "Inside Your Heaven" ยท "Do I Make You Proud" ยท "This Is My Now" ยท "The Time of My Life" ยท "No Boundaries" ยท "Beautiful Day" ยท "I Love You This Big" ยท "Home" ยท "I Am Beautiful" ยท "As Long As You Love Me" ยท "Beautiful Life" ยท "Falling" ยท "Going Going Gone" ยท "Flame"" ยท "Rise Up  ยท 23  ยท One Day Tonight  ยท " I'll Be Seeing You
From Justin to Kelly ยท Juniors ยท Christmas
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