Noah Thompson

Thompson, 20, is the first person from the commonwealth to win the competition, which has been running since 2002.

During the "American Idol" Top 7 week, the Kentucky singer was diagnosed with COVID-19 and delivered his two performances from his hotel room. The week before the finale, Thompson returned to Louisa for the first time in two months. For the Hollywood Week Showstopper round, he injected his country flavor into Rihanna's "Stay," stunning the judges with his artistry. As he sang for the "American Idol" crown in the finale along with fellow contestants HunterGirl and Leah Marlene, Thompson showed up for the first time on stage (and only the second time in his life) wearing a suit as he performed "Stay" by Rihanna. Thompson continued to reinvent songs into country classics such as "Falling" by Harry Styles (Top 20), "Heartbreak Warfare" by John Mayer (Top 11), and "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story (Top 10). That one he dedicated to his friend Arthur Johnson. For 20 long years, Kentucky has watched and waited for a performer from the Bluegrass State to be named the winner of " American Idol" — and now, it has happened.

'American Idol' finale: Noah Thompson, Huntergirl give country showdown of the ages in Top 2 · Leah Marlene brings Katy Perry to tears with original song ' ...

"My heart is beating out of my chest," said the understated singer. There is a plan for you and your life." "First and foremost, how dare you wear that suit," Perry teased. "You have what is now your stage persona," he said. “You just swooped in and grabbed every heart in America by singing that song," she said. You have now graduated to that wonderful stage of your life." "Music is a lot of people’s therapy," she added. "You now are responsible for your own career, and my dear, you have a career." "What a ride you must be on," he said. "I’m so blessed to be here, a part of this show that is truly making a difference and changing lives," she added. "Forget about the numbers right now," Richie said, also praising Huntergirl's volunteer work with veterans. "Props to your songwriter side.”

The 22-year-old country singer from Kentucky beat out fellow finalists HunterGirl and Leah Marlene during the 3-hour season finale.

Ben Platt and Sara Bareilles returned for their new collaboration “Grow as We Go,” along with the help of several of the season’s finalists. Sara Bareilles joined Top 5 powerhouse Nicolina for a reprise of “She Used to Be Mine,” which Nicolina originally sang in her audition. As predicted, the 20th season of “ American Idol” ended with Noah Thompson winning the coveted title. Each of the three finalists then sang a Bruce Springsteen song and an original tune for America’s votes. That meant “American Idol” had its first male country singer vs. If you missed the star-studded episode, read our minute-by-minute live blog to see how Noah Thompson wins “American Idol” 2022.

Louisa, Ky. , native Noah Thompson becomes the season 20 "American Idol" winner, finishing off his incredible journey on the show. Thompson was able to beat ...

Thompson also had several solo performances, which included his single "One Day Tonight" and "I'm on Fire" by Bruce Springsteen. In Thompson's final performance of the night, he sang "Stay" by Rihanna. On Sunday night's "American Idol" finale, Thompson took the stage with famous singer and songwriter, Melissa Etheridge. They performed Etheridge's song "I'm the Only One." In an exclusive sit-down interview with Eyewitness News before the finale, Thompson talked about his experiences on the show and how much the support from his hometown, where he said his heart is, meant to him.

Sunday's three-hour 'American Idol' finale revealed Noah Thompson, HunterGirl or Leah Marlene as the winner of Season 20.

“That’s my girl,” Marlene said to a dazed HunterGirl, who was clearly in disbelief as she processed her good news in real time. Marlene began Round 2 with her single “Flowers,” which she wrote as a letter to her younger self. This performance of “One Day Tonight” wasn’t particularly electrifying, but it was extremely Thompson is — charming, chill and effortless. The first elimination came midway through the night, preceding several all-star duets, including an unforgettable rendition of “Smile” courtesy of Michael Bublé and Christian Guardino. ( Click here to watch.) After a legitimately vertigo-inducing performance from Flo Rida and friends, the finale kicked off with a round entirely devoted to Bruce Springsteen, followed by performances of the finalists’ official singles. Thompson was the frontrunner heading into this finale, with 50 percent of TVLine readers expecting him to win.

During the Season 20 premiere of “American Idol” in February, 23-year-old country singer HunterGirl impressed the judges — so much that they awarded her ...

“You’re just a good guy from Kentucky that might win ‘American Idol.’ ” “When you walk out on that stage now, you look, you act, you sound like yourself. Reality singing competitions have always favored country singers, a fact that frequently frustrates viewers who don’t enjoy the genre; it’s rumored that Adam Levine felt the same way, and it may have contributed to why he left “The Voice.” But the country fan base is loyal, and Nashville is a particularly welcoming place for singers after reality shows. At one point, Thompson tested positive for the coronavirus and had to sing remotely from a hotel room, but viewers still liked him enough to vote him through. “You are the American Dream,” Perry told him. Fellow judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry also lavished praise on HunterGirl throughout the season, repeatedly telling her that she was a star.

USA TODAY caught up with Noah Thompson about an hour after his emotional "American Idol" win. He tells us what's next.

"I need trees, you know what I mean?" I'm just trying to be myself," he says. "I think about that a lot." "I don't like all the noises people make when they warm up," he says. "I can promise you, nobody's walking into that audition room more nervous," he says. "I just got shoved into this competition basically by my buddy, but I'm grateful for it," he says.

Noah Thompson talks winning "American Idol" season 20 on "GMA" alongside runner-up Huntergirl. Read a recap of the finale.

"I want to see my family and just kind of let this settle in, you know what I mean?" The show opened up with Flo Rida performing his hit "Good Feeling" with an assist from both current and past contestants. "I was just kind of just shocked, you know?"

Noah Thompson, the Louisa, Kentucky construction worker, received 16 million votes, beating Huntergirl and Leah Marlene.

You have now graduated to that wonderful stage of your life." During the Top 7 week, Thompson was diagnosed with COVID-19 and gave two performances for "American Idol" from his hotel room. Thompson had no previous musical training or experience and was pushed to try out for the show by his co-worker and friend from Louisa, Arthur Johnson.

Noah Thompson beat out HunterGirl and Leah Marlene to win season 20 of 'American Idol' — what to know about the singer.

“This has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I know it’s necessary,” the 18-year-old songstress wrote in an Instagram statement at the time. “I never had that confidence.” “My heart is beating out of my chest, this is crazy!”