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American Idol season 21 is set to air its finale episode on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 8 pm ET on ABC. It will document the top 3 finalists competing against each other for one final time to impress the judges and a live audience, as well as viewers back home. They will put their best foot forward to deliver iconic performances and enough votes to take the win.
In the season finale episode of American Idol, the top 3 contestants - Megan Danielle, Colin Stough, and William Tongi will perform live coast-to-coast in front of a live audience and in company of a live band. To help and guide them through the same will be former judge Keith Urban, who will make his return as the guest mentor for the last leg of the season.
The hit ABC series has received a lot of love and criticism over the past few years for its selection of winners and contestants in general. Viewers have religiously followed the artists' journeys and have expressed their opinions freely on social media. The former contestants themselves have built a great career coming out of the competition, earning a massive fandom.
Season 21 of the competition saw the contestants performing in front of the legendary judge trio - pop princess Katy Perry, Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Lionel Richie, and country superstar - Luke Bryan.
Keith Urban transitions from a former American Idol judge to a guest mentor
Season 21 of American Idol has seen a lot of talent this time around. The contestants for this installment have braved multiple rounds and challenges, from Hollywood Week to filtering through the Top 26. The final three contestants have been termed the best of the best by viewers. However, they will have to prove their mettle for one last time to earn the coveted title.
The official synopsis of the episode, titled Season Finale, reads:
"The live coast-to-coast, three-hour season finale features special performances from music legends and today’s top artists, with the Top 3 contestants taking the stage for the final time as America decides who will become the next American Idol."
To help the top 3 American Idol finalists - Megan Danielle, William Tongi, and Colin Stough - through their performances and potentially take the win, former judge Keith Urban will return to the finale as the guest mentor. He will be helping the contestants with their song choices, stage presence, and vocal ranges.
The reality competition series is known to bring many of the show's well-known alumni over the years back to guide the current batch of contestants. Keith Urban was a judge from seasons 12 to 15 when the series was airing on Fox. Alongside mentoring, the artist will also be performing his song Wild Hearts.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Keith expressed his feelings about returning as the guest mentor and said:
"To be able to come in as a mentor, and play as well, is incredible. That was home for me for several seasons, and the mentoring part is probably one of the things I always enjoyed the most, getting to work with the artist one-on-one."
The three finalists will also be performing the artist's songs on the American Idol stage as part of the finale episode. Keith told Billboard that he wanted to ensure they took their own spin on the songs, which would highlight their individuality.
"I love somebody doing their own interpretation of a song. I would be making sure that they don’t do a straight cover unless [that] version brings out the best in them. You just don’t want to be a cover singer. You want to show that you’re an artist with your own artistry."
Keith wouldn't be the only artist gracing the finale. The show has set up one of the most star-studded lineups of guest performers it has seen in the franchise's history. These include Pitbull, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, Elle Goulding, Kevin Cronin, and Jazmine Sullivan, among several others.
Season 21 of American Idol has finally come to an end. With the season finale only a day away, the top 3 finalists are all ready to battle it out for one final time to stand a chance to win the coveted title and the $250,000 cash prize. Viewers will have to wait and see who takes it in the end.
Don't forget to tune in to the season finale this Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 8 pm ET on ABC.
