American Idol signs off after 15 seasons

MANILA, Philippines – Up until the recently-concluded final season, American Idol (AI) proved that guys are the dominant breed, as 25-year-old Trent Harmon was named winner for Season 15, besting Afro-haired La’Porsha Renae, the runner-up in this year’s competition.

The two finalists are both from Mississippi; Trent from Amory, while La’Porsha is from McComb. Trent rendered his much-awaited Winner’s Single, Falling, after he was named champion.

“This show reached historic heights not only because Americans watched it but because you participated in its success,” US President Barack Obama told viewers worldwide in the opening remarks he delivered at the start of the “legendary finale.”

The 15th and final season was totally a nostalgic trip, starting from the opening salvo of One Voice, dramatically rendered by the past and present AI personalities to the production numbers featuring previous winners and finalists.

“I can’t believe it’s our last night here at the Dolby Theater,” said host Ryan Seacrest, joined by original Season 1 co-host Brian Dunkleman to open the finale. Ryan thanked the viewers worldwide for welcoming AI into their homes for the past 15 years.

It was the last time Ryan uttered the words, “Kieran, for the last time, dim the lights,” as he referred to the show’s long-time lighting director Kieran Healy, before announcing the winner.

A very pregnant Kelly Clarkson, Season 1 winner, didn’t pass up the opportunity to grace the finale and sing a medley of her hits. AI rockers also brought the house down, from the new look and cropped mane of Bo Bice and James Durbin to Constantine Maroulis, Caleb Johnson and Chris Daughtry.

Throughout the finale, AI winners, finalists and even judges were featured in production numbers. Previous AI winners Lee Dewyze, Phillip Philips, Nick Fradiani, Kris Allen and David Cook paid tribute to David Bowie in one number. Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino shared the stage with Jennifer Hudson and Latoya London.

Popular contestant William Hung resurrected onstage and delighted the crowd, albeit shortly, as he sang She Bangs.

Original AI judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson graced the show and thanked the contestants as well as the viewers and fans who supported AI through the years. Previous judge Kara DioGuardi figured in a live production number, while Steven Tyler, Nicki Minaj and Ellen Degeneres gave recorded messages.

The present AI judges did not pass up the chance to perform in the finale. Keith Urban shared the stage with Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood as they sang Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.

Harry Connick Jr. performed It’s a Wonderful World with a young, female singer from the Ellis Marsalis Center in Harry’s hometown, New Orleans, Louisiana. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez thrilled with her new single, Ain’t Your Mama, segued to her dance hit, Let’s Get Loud.

A week before the finals, the Top Four contestants went home to their families for the traditional hometown visit, where they were welcomed by a throng of supporters. Lafayette, Louisiana native MacKenzie Bourg was sent home.

The Top Three finalists competed a day before the finale and Sunnyvale, Texas talent Dalton Rapattoni was eliminated, leaving Trent and La’Porsha (who also wears her hair in a cornrow braid) vying for the title of the final AI winner.

The Top 2 rendered three songs each the night before the finale. For AI creator Simon Fuller’s choice, Trent sang If You Don’t Know Me By Now, while La’Porsha belted out A House Is Not A Home. For the contestant’s Favorite Performance song, Trent sang his version of Sia’s Chandelier, while La’Porsha rendered Rihanna’s Diamonds. They also sang their Winner’s Singles – Falling for Trent and Battles for La’Porsha.

Unlike in the past seasons, the Top 24 were narrowed down to 14 in two groups of seven, with the judges choosing the semi-finalists. For two weeks, two contestants were eliminated until the number was down to 10.

Expectedly, this season’s finalists will not go on tour unlike in the previous years, when the Top 10 embarked on a much-awaited nationwide performance tour after the finals. However, there are finalists who have planned their individual tours after the finale, apparently in pursuit of their respective singing careers.