‘American Idol’ 2022 Finale Time, How to Watch, and What to Expect
By the end of tonight, May 22, American Idol will have another winner. The season 20 finale will feature performances from the Top 3 as they vie for America’s votes to become the next Idol. Plus, the evening promises an epic lineup of guest stars, including American Idol alumni and other stars. Here’s everything to know about the American Idol 2022 finale, including the finalists, start time, how to watch, and more.
Who are the ‘American Idol’ 2022 finalists?
American Idol had plenty of favorites this season, but it comes down to just three people — HunterGirl, Noah Thompson, and Leah Marlene.
From the beginning, the judges knew that 23-year-old Winchester, Tennessee, native Hunter Wolkonowski, a.k.a. HunterGirl, would stand out. They awarded her with the first-ever American Idol platinum ticket, a special ticket to Hollywood that allowed HunterGirl to sit out of the first round and size up the competition. Judge Luke Bryan immediately fell in love with her country voice, and Katy Perry recently told HunterGirl she had star potential.
Noah Thompson, 20, of Louisa, Kentucky, never planned to audition for American Idol, but a close friend believed in him and signed him up. He’s stolen America’s hearts week after week with his humble and shy demeanor. He also made Katy Perry need extra therapy one night. However, Noah later redeemed himself with his best performance of the season while sick with COVID-19.
Leah Marlene, 20, hails from Normal, Illinois, but she takes pride in being anything but normal. She caught the judges’ attention with her energetic nature and stunning voice. Leah has performed a range of songs throughout the season, from Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” to Børn’s “Electric Love.” Judge Lionel Richie once told Leah that her career had already started, regardless of the outcome on American Idol.
‘American Idol’ 2022 finale date, time, and length
American Idol 2022’s finale will air at its usual time: Sunday, May 22, at 8 p.m. ET. However, instead of the usual two-hour show, this one will be a three-hour musical extravaganza. It will air coast-to-coast, which means that west coast viewers can tune in at 5 p.m. their time.
During the episode, fans should make sure to have their voting methods ready. The voting window will open at the top of the episode, giving viewers almost the entire show to submit up to 10 votes each for Leah, Noah, and HunterGirl. American Idol will reveal the texting numbers for voting as the episode begins. Plus, viewers can also vote via the American Idol website and app.
How to watch the ‘American Idol’ 2022 finale
Fans can tune into the American Idol 2022 finale live on ABC. Additionally, those who can’t catch the episode (or can’t stay awake for the whole thing) will be able to watch the next day via Hulu, although a subscription to the streaming service is required. The finale will also stream on American Idol’s website.
Performance lineup: alumni, special guests, and more
So, what’s going to happen in those three hours? For starters, the Top 3 will perform the music of Bruce Springsteen, as well as their own original songs. They’ll pair off with the judges and special guests for duets — Leah Marlene with Katy Perry, HunterGirl with Luke Bryan, and Noah Thompson with Melissa Etheridge. Lionel Richie will take to the stage with the season’s Top 10 contestants for an epic group performance.
Additionally, the Top 10 will perform duets with guests, including Christian Guardino with Michael Bublé, Nicolina Bozzo with Sarah Bareilles, and more. Flo Rida and season 4 Idol winner Carrie Underwood will also sing, as well as Katy Perry and Thomas Rhett. It all leads up to the final few minutes, where the next American Idol will be revealed.
Stay tuned to Showbiz Cheat Sheet for more updates on American Idol.
