'American Idol' Winners Ranked by Popularity: From Lowest to Highest

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.

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.

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.

American Idol led to “the downfall of society”.The View presenter got into an awkward exchange with an off-camera producer on Wednesday (May 24) while discussing Netflix‘s new documentary about the final days of Anna Nicole Smith’s life.After speaking to her co-hosts about the documentary, Goldberg concluded that “people like to be judgy,” before suggesting that American Idol was responsible for that kind of television.“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,” said Goldberg (via Page Six).“People watch these shows because they make them feel better,” she continued. “I think that we, as a society, love to watch stuff to judge folks.”The Sister Act star then revealed the exact point she believes audiences became too quick to pass judgement.“You know, I’ve always thought that the beginning of the downfall of society was with, um, what’s the name of that show I always tell you that?” she asked, turning to executive producer Brian Teta.Goldberg had evidently shared the opinion with Teta before, because the off-camera producer replied: “ABC’s American Idol?”The studio audience laughed as the producer attempted to remind Goldberg that American Idol airs on the Disney-owned ABC, the same network that pays her salary.“Well, it wasn’t always on ABC,” Goldberg hit back in defence.

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.

dawg.“The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg, 67, boldly stated Wednesday on the ABC talk show that “American Idol” was the “beginning of the downfall of society.”While the women of the show discussed why Netflix recently “dwelled” on the late Anna Nicole Smith’s last days in a new documentary, Goldberg claimed that viewers will watch this kind of programming 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.”“People watch these shows because they make them feel better,” Goldberg continued. “I think that we, as a society, love to watch stuff to judge folks.”“The Color Purple” star then offered up a specific example of when she believes the public became too power-hungry on passing judgment.

“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.

Back to her roots. American Idol winner Samantha Diaz — who goes by the stage name Just Sam — revealed she’s returned to performing on the subways in New York City.

Winning American Idol isn’t necessarily the slam dunk it’s chalked up to be.

who won ABC’s Season 18 of the hit competition, said they were “super embarrassed” to let fans know that they have resumed singing in public following the major win.Sam, whose real name is Samantha Diaz, shared several clips of singing Ariana Grande’s “Almost Is Never Enough” in a subway station on Instagram.“Back in 2021, I was super embarrassed to be going back to the trains. I didn’t want people to know that I legit needed the money & I didn’t want people to know that it wasn’t optional,” Diaz, who uses they/them pronouns, wrote in a since-deleted caption, according to The Sun.“I was disappointed in myself for allowing myself to fall so low after winning ‘Idol,’ but then I had to take it easy on me and remember that I started my journey with ‘Idol’ at 20 years old.

Unconditionally.”A source allegedly close to Katy Perry claimed Tuesday that the controversial singer has expressed a desire to quit “Idol” after judging the show for six years. Perry, 38, has been the subject of several online rants by die-hard “Idol” fans complaining about the “California Gurls” singer’s provocative — and sometimes “rude” — coaching methods. Perry also reportedly claimed the producers of “Idol” intentionally edited footage to make her look like the “nasty” judge.“Katy feels like [the producers] threw her under the bus,” a supposed insider told the Daily Mail.

 during the height of the pandemic in 2020, is back to where she started — singing in subway stations.Just less than a week ago, the 24-year-old singer posted video of herself riding a New York City subway while belting out Beyonce's 2006 track, «Listen.» While wearing a white hoodie, white sweats, orange kicks and a backpack, Sam stood in the subway car trying to keep her balance and snapped her fingers. She was also holding a box for donations.Prior to that, Sam posted an Instagram video on May 12 showing her in a New York City subway station.

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

Samantha Diaz, who used the stage name Just Sam while competing on American Idol in 2020, is once again performing in the New York City subways just three years after winning the show’s virtual season during the pandemic.

Katy Perry is spilling details!

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

alums Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken on Sunday night. The season 2 winner and runner-up, respectively, returned to the stage 20 years later for the season 21 finale, performing a duet to «The Impossible Dream,» with the help of season 21 winner and runner-up Iam Tongi and Megan Danielle.«It was really good, man. You know, I just definitely enjoyed myself,» Studdard told ET's Denny Directo after the performance.

slammed the always controversial Perry’s revealing outfit on social media, saying that it was more of a swimsuit than dress. The bright orange garment featured several cutouts down the front of the 38-year-singer accentuating her breast as well as her midriff. The look culminated in a sheer floor-length fabric that veiled the singer’s legs with rhinestones.Perry accesorized the outfit with a pair of high-heeled sandals.Perry’s dress is the latest of several instances where the “Teenage Dream” singer has come under fire from “Idol” fans.