Maddie Poppe Wins 16th American Idol-Confirms Runner-Up Caleb Lee Hutchinson As Boyfriend Minutes Before Result Announcement
- Maddie Poppe has won the 16th American Idol Title.
- The 19-year-old Iowa girl was crowned the winner in the Monday night's finale.
- She announced that she and Caleb Lee Hutchinson have been dating minutes before the result was announced.
- After revealing their relationship on camera, the pair performed Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
American has got its 16th winner!!
The 19-year-old Maddie Poppe, popular for her soothing voice and artistic ability, was declared the winner of the 16th season of American Idol during Monday night's final.
The trophy isn't the only thing that the Iowa native taking with her but is also taking a man with her. Poppe is dating Caleb Lee Hutchinson, who came runner-up in the competition.
The two announced their relationship during the last moment of the final where Hutchinson told the host Seacrest,
Well, Mandie is my pal and I've known her since the beginning of Hollywood week. And she actually happens to be my girlfriend.
Judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry were stunned when they heard about the relationship with Perry spinning around in her chair multiple times.
The lovebirds performed Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Somewhere Over the Rainbow together after the big revelation. After their performance, the couple was surprised with a free trip to Disney's Aulani resort in Hawaii.
Following the winner announcement, Hutchinson hugged his girlfriend celebrating her big win. He later took to Twitter congratulating her where wrote "MY GIRLFRIEND WON AMERICAN IDOL!!!"
MY GIRLFRIEND WON AMERICAN IDOL!!! No one deserved it more than you babe. I am honored to know you and even more honored to call you mine. Don’t forget about me. I love you pic.twitter.com/S0g73ZIyfP
— Caleb Lee Hutchinson (@calebleemusic) May 22, 2018
Meanwhile, Poppe was seen amazed to win the competition. She told the reporters.
I don't have any words to describe this really. I can't believe people believed in me this much just to make it to the top two with Caleb. To actually have been named the winner of this show is is incredible.
She continued,
I got to be who I wanted to be and the fact that I am here and I can tell you that I won the show is doing exactly what I wanted to do and I didn't have to change myself for anybody is pretty incredible.
The three judges also performed in the night while singers Darius Rucker, Bebe Rexha, Gary Clark Jr., Patti LaBelle, Kermit the Frog, Yolanda Adams, and Nick Jonas also performed joined by the top 10 finalists.
