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American Idol will anoint its first winner of the ABC era during Monday's season finale, with a fresh young singer joining the ranks of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
The remaining competitors are Gabby Barrett, who is the reincarnation of the still-living Underwood; Caleb Lee Hutchinson, whose aw-shucks voice is as sweet as Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey; and Maddie Poppe, who uses her intelligence and polish to make every song sound like her own, no matter what the genre.
They're all worthy contenders, but only one will win. And it's probably going to be Gabby. She's been a frontrunner ever since Katy Perry pranked her dad during her audition. Her YouTube plays are the strongest of the finalists, odds-making site GoldDerby has her as the favorite and she's never looked vulnerable in any of her performances. America loves Carrie Underwood so much that they're going to vote for her again.
When Is the American Idol Finale?
Maddie will probably come in second. She's more interesting than Gabby, but familiarity is a surer path to Idol success than talent alone. Caleb is not going to win, barring some massive, unexpected wave of voter turnout. He's good, but he doesn't have the range. On the other hand, seven of the previous 15 American Idol winners have been white Southern boys, so he fits the profile of an American Idol.
In Sunday's performance finale, Caleb looked a little shaky at times but still put on a fun show with "Folsom Prison Blues," Gabby blew the roof off with high-energy performances including "Don't Stop Believin,'" and Maddie earned Katy Perry's endorsement. It may be close between Gabby and Maddie.
The winner will be revealed during Monday's two-hour results show, May 21 at 9/8c. Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan will perform, along with Bebe Rexha, Nick Jonas and Mustard, Patti Labelle, Darius Rucker, Gary Clark Jr., Yolanda Adams, Kermit the Frog and the rest of the Top 10 (Cade Foehner, Catie Turner, Michael Woodard, Dennis Lorenzo, Jurnee, Michelle Sussett and Ada Vox).
Vote for your pick below!