'American Idol' Reboot Crowns New Winner on ABC

America has spoken: ABC's reboot of American Idol has crowned a new reigning champion Monday in Maddie Poppe.

Poppe, 20, is from Clarksville, Iowa. In her initial audition, she wowed the judges with her rendition of "Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie. At the time, Lionel Richie argued, "we need you in this show." Throughout the competition, Poppe continued to show America her singing abilities through songs like "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book and her original song "Don't Ever Let Your Children Grow Up."

Poppe competed in this season's Top 3 alongside first runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson and second runner-up Gabby Barrett. Early predictions from GoldDerby initially pegged Barrett as the likely winner followed by Poppe and Hutchinson.

The reality series aired a two-part season finale, with the first episode broadcast Sunday and the second Monday. Sunday's finale required the finalists to visit their hometown to visit with family, friends and supportive fans in addition to being mentored by Bobby Bones—host of iHeartMedia's The Bobby Bones Show. Each singer went head-to-head when performing their three chosen songs, including an original track. In entering Monday's grand finale, the finalists and previously eliminated contestants took to the stage to perform songs alongside all-stars, such as Nick Jonas and Patti LaBelle.

Before American Idol came to an end on Fox in 2016, country singer Trent Harmon was crowned as the Season 15 champion. The Mississippi native waited two years after winning the reality series to share his debut album You Got 'Em All on Friday.

"God bless them because they have waited for over two years now. I finally get to deliver it to them," Harmon, 27, told Billboard May 8. "I've been signing as many pre-orders as I can. I want it to be as personal for them as possible. They are going to do the rest. They will champion the record. I don't doubt for a minute that it's going to do great numbers within my fan base. It feels so good to finally get it them."

American Idol was renewed for Season 2 by ABC. Celebrity judges Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan are set to embark upon a nationwide search once again to find America's next big talent. Television personality Ryan Seacrest is slated to return as the host.

"We knew that American Idol on ABC would unleash an opportunity for singers from all walks of life to realize their dreams and that these incredible contestants would have America rooting for their success," Channing Dungey, president of ABC Entertainment, said in a statement issued to Newsweek. "I am thrilled that Katy, Luke, Lionel, and Ryan will be back to once again embark on this Idol journey with us to discover the next crop of inspiring talent."

For fans who can't wait for Fall 2018, they can catch American Idol's Top 7 finalists as they prepare to hit the road for a nationwide tour this summer.

american idol top 3
Singers Gabby Barrett, Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Maddie Poppe are pictured with Ryan Seacrest in a still from part one of the "American Idol" two-night season finale. ABC/Eric McCandless

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Dory Jackson is a New York-based entertainment journalist from Maryland. She graduated from Randolph-Macon College—in May 2016—with a focus in Communication ... Read more

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