Before the results, based off of viewer votes, were read, though, the night was jam-packed with performances from the finalists, celebrity guests, and other contestants from the season. Judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie also hit the stage. WARNING: Spoilers for the American Idol finale ahead!
Scroll down for updates from throughout the finale and to find out who won.
Hannah Harper
For the first round, the contestants sang songs by mentor Alicia Keys. Hannah picked “No One, but added a “folksy/bluegrass” twist, which she still hoped would honor the original version.
ABC
Richie kicked off the commentary, telling Hannah, “You’ve taken an Alicia Keys song and turned it into your song so fast, only because you have that identifiable voice that we’ve all come to love. You now own that stage. You look so comfortable, and you took the advice. Just make it all about you and your voice and your career.”
Underwood said that Hannah’s voice makes everything “sound beautiful and tender and like a lullaby,” while Bryan raved, “Your voice is like walking in the outdoors. It’s like walking through a beautiful garden. You’re true artist.”
Keyla Richardson
Keyla was up next with a rendition of Keys’ “Unthinkable.” She chose the song because it spoke to her journey on the show.
ABC
“That was such a wonderful choice of song for you. You are ready. You are ready for whatever amazing things are going to come next for you,” Underwood promised.
Bryan noted how Keyla has always focused “with drive and determination” throughout the competition. “You’ve won in our eyes,” he added. “Just watching you seize every moment has been so inspiring to me.”
Jordan McCullough
Closing out the first round was Jordan, who selected “If I Ain’t Got You” from Keys’ catalog to sing. During rehearsals, she helped him get comfortable away from the mic stand so the movement could help tell the story.
ABC
“I’m so proud of your confidence on that,” Bryan raved. “You were like … this is my stage, I’m this confident, I’ve come this far, I’ve worked this hard. It was so great to watch you have all that swagger.”
Richie agreed, adding, “I think Alicia said it best. Alicia said, ‘That was money.’ That was not only money, but your career, my friend. That was amazing.” Underwood jumped in to continue, “And that career’s gonna make him some money!”
Hannah Harper
To being the second round, Hannah returned to the stage with an original song called “Married Into This Town,” which she dedicated to her hometown and husband.
ABC
“Congratulations on songwriting, congratulations about being that authentic person,” Richie applauded, while also pointing out how much he loves watching Hannah with her family.
Underwood was in tears. “I love that you started your journey on American Idol with an original song, and I love that you’re ending it that way, as well, taking us home,” she said.
Keyla Richardson
For her hometown performance dedicated to Pensacola, Florida, Keyla sang “I Love the Lord.”
ABC
“I love this show so, so much,” Underwood said, through tears. “I love that you took this opportunity to sing to the Lord. It just shows your heart, girl. It was beautiful.”
Bryan said he was “so happy” to look back at Keyla’s audition and see how far she’s come. “It’s one of my best journeys on this show,” he admitted. Richie added, “Why did God give you that gift? It’s very obvious. You’re here to inspire us all.”
Jordan McCullough
Closing out the second round with a performance dedicated to his Tennessee hometown was Jordan, who sang “Dear God.”
ABC
The judges all raved over Jordan’s performance, and Underwood asked if there could be a “three-way tie” because of how good all the finalists are. “You should be so proud, Jordan, you’re so good,” she promised.
Who came in third place?
After the first two rounds of competition, the artist with the lowest amount of votes was sent home. Jordan and Hannah made the Top 2, which meant that Keyla Richardson finished in third place.
Fans then had a chance to continue voting for Jordan and Hannah throughout the rest of the night, while being entertained by various contestants from the season and celebrity guests.
Hannah Harper
For the final round of competition, Hannah and Jordan got to sing their audition songs. For Hannah, that meant a callback to her viral original song “String Cheese.”
ABC
Jordan McCullough
Then, Jordan came back to sing his audition song “Goodness of God,” and he earned another standing ovation from the judges, just like he did during the auditions.
ABC
Who won American Idol 2026?
Finally, it was time to find out the winner. Viewers were able to cast their votes through the last commercial break, and then Ryan Seacrest gathered Jordan and Hannah to announce who was taking home the title.
The winner of American Idol Season 24 is…Hannah Harper, which means that Jordan McCullough finished as the runner-up!
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