American Idol's Iam Tongi Addresses Controversy Over His 'Rigged' Win!

Luke Bryan is speaking out and standing up for his fellow American Idol judge, Katy Perry.

Luke Bryan is sticking up for Katy Perry. In an interview during CMA Fest, the 46-year-old judge defended his co-star against criticism she received during the most recent season of the show.«When it comes down to are fans too hard on Katy, you know, listen, Katy Perry's been dealing with stuff like that her whole career,» he said.

during an interview at the Country Music Association Festival on Monday. The “I Kissed a Girl” singer has been the subject of several social media rants and nasty comments about the judge’s provocative — and possibly “rude” — coaching methods“Katy Perry’s been dealing with stuff like that her whole career,” said Bryan. “We all get it … I mean we’re judging kids that people at home fall in love with … We’re not gonna bat 1,000 as judges.”“I think we get set up,” he continued.

You’re gonna hear him roar. Luke Bryan came to the defense of fellow American Idol judge Katy Perry after she received extensive backlash throughout season 21.

Like a knight in shining armor, Luke Bryan came to the defense of fellow "American Idol" judge Katy Perry when asked if fans have been too harsh in their criticism of her. "Katy Perry's been dealing with stuff like that her whole career," Bryan explained during an interview at Country Music Association (CMA) Fest. "We all get it.… I mean we're judging kids that people at home fall in love with.… We're not gonna bat 1,000 as judges." "I think we get set up," he continued.

alum Oliver Steele clapped back at accusations about Katy Perry's bullying last week, penning a defense of the singer on Instagram.  «I've seen a lot of rumors going around the internet about Katy Perry possibly leavingand I don't necessarily know what’s true and what's not. Here is what I know about @katyperry,» the 24-year-old musician wrote. Steele made it to the Top 8 on season 21 of last month, where Iam Tongi was crowned winner.

Sharing his thoughts. American Idol alum Oliver Steele weighed in on rumors that Katy Perry plans to leave the show — and clapped back at accusations about her bullying contestants.

“American Idol” contestant Oliver Steele has jumped to Katy Perry’s defence after she faced backlash over some of her comments on the show.

While Iam Tongi cashed in as the "American Idol" winner of the 2023 season, controversy around judge Katy Perry exploded like a firework over her sometimes harsh criticism of contestants.  Now that the season is over, finalist and top 8 contestant Oliver Steele is debunking rumors that Perry is a bully. "I’ve seen a lot of rumors going around the internet about Katy Perry possibly leaving idol and I don’t necessarily know what’s true and what’s not. Here is what I know about [her].

Oliver Steele is speaking out.

hear him “Roar.”“American Idol” finalist Oliver Steele lashed out on Instagram Saturday to defend controversial judge Katy Perry, claiming that she never bullied or shamed any contestant.Throughout the singing competition’s 21st season, the 38-year-old pop diva has been the subject of several teenage nightmares and social media rants about the judge’s provocative — and possibly “rude” — coaching methods.Steele, 25, opened up his post by saying that he’s “seen a lot of rumors going around the internet about Katy Perry possibly leaving idol,” adding that he can neither confirm nor deny them. “Here is what I know about @katyperry,” said the musician.

Megan Danielle is speaking out amid allegations that American Idol Season 21 was “rigged” in favor of winner Iam Tongi.

competition was rigged.“I would say that it isn’t just because, you know, I feel like God made all of this happen for a reason,” the 21-year-old said in her first public comments about the controversy. “Even if I was first, second, last, whatever … I feel like any of us really deserved it.”The former waitress gushed about winner Iam Tongi, who took the No.

Whoopi Goldberg might be getting in trouble with 's network — ABC. The 67-year-old co-host of spoke out against another ABC show during a panel discussion this week.While discussing the recent Anna Nicole Smith documentary,, Goldberg talked about society's obsession with judging others.«I think, you know, that we as a society love to watch stuff, to judge folks,» Goldberg said. «I've always thought that the beginning of the downfall of society was with… what's the name of that show?»«That's ABC's » a producer replied, smiling.«It was not always on ABC.

first Pacific Islander to win “American Idol,” isn’t fazed by the rigging accusations that accompanied Sunday’s triumph — in fact, he said he “loves it.”“A lot of people are like, ‘Colin Stough was robbed,’ or whatever. And I just love it,” Tongi, 18, told the Daily Mail.Tongi, of Samoan and Tongan heritage, reigned victorious in the 21st season finale, beating out Stough, 18, and Megan Danielle, 20, but his win baffled fans who claimed the singing competition was “rigged.”Instead of letting haters get to him, he throws a “like” to critics’ social media posts, explaining he just has to “let those things happen.”“I am guilty for liking it,” he admitted.

“American Idol” was the “beginning of the downfall of society.”The 67-year-old made the bold claim on the ABC talk show Wednesday morning.Goldberg’s theory was brought up as the women of the show discussed why Netflix recently “dwelled” on the final days and legacy of Anna Nicole Smith in a new documentary. The actress claimed that viewers flock to these kinds of shows because “people like to be judgy.”“You have ‘Basketball Wives,’ you have the ‘Housewives’ of whatever, all the Bravo shows, giving you the impression that you’re doing something wrong because you’re living your life,” Goldberg said.

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.

Lionel Richie is looking back on his time in London fondly! Earlier this month, the «All Night Long» singer performed at King Charles III and Queen Camilla's royal coronation, and to return the favor, the newly crowned monarchs made a surprise cameo on . Speaking with ET's Denny Directo after Sunday's Disney Night episode of , Richie gushed over how «gracious» Charles and Camilla are.

Viewers of "American Idol" were treated to a regal surprise Sunday evening in the form of two newly crowned royals while watching the latest live episode of the long-running competition show. Phoning in from across the pond and broadcasted on a big screen were judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, taking a night off from critiquing performances to give ones of their own. Both Perry and Richie were tapped to perform at King Charles' coronation concert.