And the final American Idol winner is …

If you haven’t seen the finale of American Idol, then you might not want to read this story.

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From left) Keith Urban, host Ryan Seacrest and singers Marley Fletcher and Harry Connick, Jr speak from the audience during American Idols final show. Photo: AFP

American Idol

Jennifer Lopez taking a selfie for her fans. Photo: AFP

By ALEX STEDMAN

American Idol has crowned the winner of its 15th and final season.

It came down to the battle of the Mississippi residents, but Trent Harmon managed to take home the most votes from the audience, scoring victory in American Idol’s last episode.

Harmon and La’Porsha Renae advanced after April 6’s episode, finalising their spot in the series finale. Dalton Rapattoni was eliminated during that episode at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Harmon and Renae had long been fan favourites, and were expected by many to be the last ones standing. Renae especially was often touted by judges as the one to beat all season. Renae hails from McComb, Mississippi, while Harmon’s from Amory, Mississippi.

The finale week of American Idol was emotional for both Harmon and Renae, with both thanking their fans for the support.

The final season of American Idol had been a big, splashy one, with Fox pulling out all the stops to bid the influential reality show farewell, especially during its three-night grand finale. The final show included appearances from Carrie Underwood – one of the early winners – original co-host Brian Dunkleman and even a video message from President Obama. – Reuters

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(From left) Recording artists Caleb Johnson, Constantine Maroulis, Chris Daughtry and James Durbin performing together on American Idol. Photo: AFP

American Idol

(From left) Diana DeGarmo, Skylar Laine and Kree Harrison. Photo: AFP

American Idol

Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood performing Stop Dragging My Heart Around. Photo: Reuters

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American Idol

Katharine McPhee and Casey James performing together. Photo: AFP

 


Simon Cowell on American Idol’s end

By ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER

Simon Cowell was the face of American Idol for nine seasons, but the former judge hasn’t kept up with the singing competition since he departed the Fox series.

“To be honest with you, I haven’t seen it in a couple of years so I don’t really have an opinion on it,” Cowell told Variety when asked what he thought about the long-running show singing its final note.

“I wasn’t surprised,” he added of the show coming to an end. “No one can complain after 15 years. It’s had a fantastic run, great memories. For me, I had the best time of my life. But then, you move on and other things come along.”

Cowell – who served as an original judge on Pop Idol, the British series that inspired Fox’s American Idol – was on the first panel of judges on the US show from its debut in 2002 until he exited the series after its ninth season in 2010. Cowell become a pop culture fixture, gaining popularity for his tough commentary and one-line zingers.

Known Stateside for Idol, the judge created the global Got Talent franchise and has served as a judge on the British version of that series for all 10 seasons. This May, he’s hopping across the pond to return to American television screens (for the first time since his three season stint on the American version of The X-Factor, which he also created), as the newest judge on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

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(From left) Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest on stage during the American Idol grand finale in Hollywood. Photos: Reuters

“Funny enough, this reminds me of when I was on Idol in around about 2003 and 2004, when it was so much fun and there was just this great energy on the show on those couple of years. When I came and did this show, after a few days, I thought ‘this reminds me of the same thing’ – it’s fun, it’s crazy, the panel is great. There’s an energy that reminds me of that,” Cowell said of America’s Got Talent, on which he’ll judge alongside Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B.

As for his American TV hiatus, after the US version of The X-Factor was cancelled in 2013, Cowell says he’s turned down many offers in recent years.

“I got a lot of calls and offers to do a lot of shows – some quite surprising, actually – but this was the only one where I felt genuinely comfortable because obviously I’ve done the show before in Britain, so I know the format,” Cowell said of America’s Got Talent.

As for his signature critical persona, which was made famous on American Idol, Cowell says he’s not trying to bring any specific demeanour to AGT. “I know I have a reputation for being a bit rude – and I can be at times – but the thing I’m most excited about is the fact that we do actually find stars,” he said.

“If I come over as harsh at times, it’s only because I’m being real. When someone is totally useless and they’re 16 or 17 years old and they go, ‘I’m going to get a recording deal in three years’ time,’ I go, ‘You’re not. That’s just the way it is’.” – Reuters

American Idol

Singers Ruben Studdard and Amber Holcomb performing at the American Idol finale. Photo: AFP

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