‘American Idol’ Episode Featuring Ed Sheeran & Alanis Morissette Draws Season-High Audience In Delayed Viewing

“American Idol” has crowned its newest winner in Hawaii native Iam Tongi, whose victory as the first AAPI winner of the ABC competition still has not fully hit him.“It’s unreal,” Tongi told TheWrap just two days after Ryan Seacrest announced his name on the big stage. “It’s weird to be here [as] the winner, because … it was going so slow during the competition, but out of nowhere it was finished and I was like ‘that went by so fast.'”While several AAPI contestants have climbed their way to the top three finalists, including fan-favorite Jasmine Trias of the show’s third installment, Tongi noted that this milestone achievement happening during national AAPI month in May gives the win an even bigger significance, saying “it feels really good to be representing why Polynesian people during this month.”Originally from Kahuku, a town in O’ahu, Hawaii, Tongi noted the challenge of saying goodbye to his friends back home to come compete on the show, where his talents were recognized early on by judges with some early successes, including being chosen to sing out the group after the judges narrowed the contestants down to the top 24 with an emotional rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”Tongi also experienced a personal accomplishment when he worked with guest mentor and country legend Keith Urban, whose music marked a distinct memory in Tongi’s upbringing as his father, who has since passed away, adored Urban’s music.

told TV Insider. “I was so happy everyone voted.

tweeted one angry viewer. “Big Hawaiian dude that has the best sob story is going to win.

Meet your newest American Idol! Iam Tongi has been crowned as the season 21 winner of the ABC singing competition.

American Idol has crowned its’ newest American Idol!

American Idol has gotten the golden ticket from ABC.

Keith Urban is to serve as a guest mentor on American Idol later this month. In a message posted on the official Instagram account for the singing competition show on Friday, a rep confirmed that the country music star will make an appearance on the season 21 finale.

Keith Urban is set to make a much-anticipated return to American Idol, albeit for one night only.  The official announcement came from the show's Instagram account and was also shared by Keith on his Instagram Stories.  The 55-year-old will grace the grand finale on May 21st as a guest mentor and will also perform on the show.

royal surprise as King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a guest appearance on the show the day after the coronation. The royal couple appeared alongside judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie after they attended the royal festivities and performed at the King’s Coronation Concert last weekend.

As American Idol gets ready to crown its Season 21 winner, a star-studded cast has been lined up for the night of celebration set to take place on Sunday, May 21. The three-hour finale episode is set to air live from coast to coast starting at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT.

Keith Urban is returning to “American Idol”. The show’s official Instagram account announced Friday that the country superstar is returning for the May 21 finale as a guest mentor.

A familiar face is returning to American Idol!

Keith Urban is returning to . The show's official Instagram account announced Friday that the country superstar is returning for the May 21 finale as a guest mentor.The «Blue Ain't Your Color» singer is certainly no stranger to the singing competition show. He was a judge from seasons 12 to 15.

Katy Perry's days on "American Idol" could be numbered, if fans of the show get their wish. Last weekend, Perry, along with Lionel Richie, skipped out on judging duties to attend King Charles' coronation and perform at the celebration the following day. She was temporarily replaced by another singer, Alanis Morisette, and several viewers feel like the change should become permanent.

“the one that got away” — if “American Idol” fans have their way.Viewers are campaigning on social media to permanently remove Katy Perry as a judge after she was temporarily replaced this week by the Canadian songstress to mentor the show’s Top 8. Morissette, 48, filled in for Perry, 38, while she and co-judge Lionel Richie, 73 — who was replaced by Ed Sheeran — performed at the coronation concert held in honor of King Charles III.Perry’s hiatus from the show came as several fans slammed the “TGIF” singer for her rude on-stage behavior.Several viewers of “Idol” seemed to breathe a sigh of relief during the “Dark Horse” singer’s two-episode absence.

The King and Queen appeared on American Idol as surprise guests amid the coronation celebrations.

It’s a British invasion! King Charles III and Queen Camilla appeared on American Idol after Katy Perry and Lionel Richie played at the coronation concert on Sunday, May 7.

time from his coronation festivities to join Lionel Richie and Katy Perry for a surprise appearance on “American Idol” Sunday night.Charles and Queen Camilla casually strolled into the throne room at Buckingham Palace for a brief appearance with the two vocalists who had performed at the star-studded coronation concert on Saturday night.“I just wanted to check, how long will you be using this room for?” the 74-year-old monarch deadpanned after interrupting the live feed.The historic space has been used for extravagant balls dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria.The “All Night Long” singer feigned surprise at Charles’ query and told the panel in Los Angeles that he needed to make a quick exit.“We have to give the room up right away,” Richie, 73, joked.Charles then graciously thanked the two singers for their “brilliant performance” at the concert.Richie said that the duo would join the party after their television appearance and thanked the royals, who ambled out of the shot.Perry — who serves as an ambassador for the King’s British Asian Trust — belted out two of her classic hits, “Roar” and “Firework,” to Saturday’s massive crowd.She also gave a shout-out to King Charles III, praising him for “bringing out the firework in so many young people” through the work they’re doing together.Perry was joined by Richie, who also holds a role with a charity close to the King’s heart.The singer was named a global ambassador for The Prince’s Trust in 2019 and snagged a coveted invitation to Saturday’s coronation thanks to his role.As previously reported, the current class of “Idol” contestants are in good hands while the judges visit the UK.

We’re already down to the final five contestants on season 21 of American Idol.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Lionel Richie and Katy Perry weren’t able to perform their normal tasks as judges on Sunday night’s “American Idol,” as they were across the pond performing for the coronation of King Charles III. So they brought back a souvenir for the show: The actual just-crowned King and Queen. King Charles III and Queen Camilla were surprise guests on “American Idol,” in a pre-taped package introduced at the start of the show by host Ryan Seacrest. The clip opens with Richie and Perry, in a room that appears to be inside Windsor Castle. Suddenly, in walks the King and Queen. “I just wanted to check, how much, how long you’ll be using this room for?” King Charles quipped to Richie. Charles then thanked Richie for attending and performing at the coronation. “Thank you so much for your brilliant performance and it was great,” he said.