American
Idol went out big Thursday, naming Trent Harmon its final champion at
the end of a two-hour-plus series finale that featured the return of
dozens of singers who became famous on the one-time TV juggernaut.
After
an evening packed with performances by former winners and finalists,
including Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks and Fantasia, host Ryan
Seacrest revealed Harmon had triumphed over felllow Mississippian
La'Porsha Renae to become the Fox singing competition's 15th and final
Idol.
After the show, Harmon, 25, explained told USA TODAY why he collapsed to the stage after Seacrest called his name.
"I
haven't been able to breathe in almost a year. I feel like in that
moment, I got to decompress for the first time in almost a year," Harmon
said, speaking backstage at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. He marveled the
collection of Idol talent that graced the stage before his victory was
announced.
"There's
a sea of people across that stage tonight that Idol made relevant in so
many homes for so many years," he said. "Any time I'm mentioned (as a
champion) with a Carrie Underwood or a Kelly Clarkson, I'm OK with
that."
Renae
told USA TODAY about her moment with Harmon after he was announced as
the winner. "Trent just whispered in my ear, 'You know, this is what God
wants. God has something really special for you. You won with me, too,
baby.' "
She did
in a way, asIdolmentor and record executive Scott Borchetta announced
after the show that he was making a record deal with her, too.
"I love them both. They're both great," he said.
Harmon's
victory came on the same stage where Kelly Clarkson became the first
Idol in 2002. Clarkson, who is pregnant and did not appear live
Thursday, had recorded a medley of her hits that played during the show.
Fans responded especially strongly to the closing song,A Moment Like
This, the first single she performed on the night she won.
At the
end of the show, an emotional Seacrest gave his final sign-off: "One
more time – This is so tough – we say to you from Hollywood: Good night,
America." The screen went dark, followed by a cryptic Seacrest coda:
"For now."
Does
that mean Idol, which is leaving the air largely because of declining
ratings, could return? Creator Simon Fuller has talked of reinventing
the show, although it could have a different format, be on a different
platform and have a different name.
Backstage,
Borchetta said he didn't know anything officially, but said any revival
must be approached with care. "We went out on top." Any new version
"had better be damned good."
Here is a full list of American Idols winners from season 1:
Season 1 winner: Kelly Clarkson
Season 2 winner: Ruben Studdard
Season 3 winner: Fantasia Barrino
Season 4 winner: Carrie Underwood
Season 5 winner: Taylor Hicks
Season 6 winner: Jordin Sparks
Season 7 winner: David Cook
Season 8 winner: Kris Allen
Season 9 winner: Lee Dewyze
Season 10 winner: Scotty McCreery
Season 11 winner: Phillip Phillips
Season 12 winner: Candice Glover
Season 13 winner: Caleb Johnson
Season 14 winner: Nick Fradiani
Season 15 winner: Trent Harmon
Goodbye American Idol!
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