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How to watch ‘American Idol’ ‘live

'American Idol' is airing its 21st season finale, and it's full of star power.

It’s finale night for American Idol, and the series that has wowed viewers for 21 seasons is coming to an end with more star power than we’ve seen before. The stakes are high as this year’s final three bring emotion, grit, and true talent to the stage. Kicking off with 40 contestants performing in front of the all-star judges, the competition has been narrowed down to three.

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Season 21 has seen some of the most intense competition we’ve experienced, with the kind of talented singers you only see once in a lifetime. There’s more emotion, power, and strength within the contestants this year as they sing their hearts out, impacting audiences in the building and at home. It feels like an honor to watch their stories unfold, and while the finale is upon us, we have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of many contestants this year.

With so much on the line, how can you tune into American Idol tonight? As usual, we’ve got you covered.

How can you watch the American Idol finale?

For American Idol fans who have cable, the easiest way to watch the season 21st finale is by tuning into ABC. The episode kicked off at 8PM and airs until 11, so if you’ve missed the beginning, there’s still a lot of time left to see your top three as they belt their hearts out to some of their favorite songs, and it’s been an emotional journey so far.

The three finalists this season are as talented as they are vulnerable and awe-inspiring; they’ve not just brought talent in the song world to the series but a genuine sense of passion and dedication to their craft. Music isn’t just something they love to do; it’s who they are. In addition to hearing each contestant take on several songs throughout the episode, we’re also getting a deeper peek into who they are and what communities they come from.

As always, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan will be the judges as Ryan Seacrest hosts the season finale.

What streaming options are available for American Idol?

For those who wish to stream the finale episode online, you’ve got options, too! You can tune into American Idol‘s season 21 finale on ABC.com or by using the ABC app. When you open the app or the website, you’ll see the ability to tune into the live stream immediately, and with two hours left, you won’t want to miss a second of it.

If you can’t watch live tonight, you’re not out of the game entirely. The season finale will be available for streaming tomorrow on Hulu.

Who are the finalists for American Idol season 21?

The top three this season are some of the most impressive and talented contestants in Idol history, and as we said earlier, they’re also profoundly deep and vulnerable.

Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, and Colin Stough are the fan-voted finalists this time around, and while they’re unique in their skill set and voice, part of what makes them stand out to audiences everywhere is the emotion and grit in their voices.

Tongi is an 18-year-old from Kahuku, Hawaii, who brings tears to our eyes with each performance, and much of his journey has been in dedication to his late father, the man who inspired him musically and in every other facet of his life. Danielle is a 20-year-old from Georgia, a superstar in the making, and someone who is following God’s plan for her in every way — often speaking of his impact on her life.

Stough is another 18-year-old HVAC technician from Mississippi who has a raspy voice, a southern drawl, and a hold on audiences as he takes the stage to wow viewers worldwide. Stough’s mother actually signed him up for his American Idol journey.

Finale night is always a massive step for the contestants, and while there will be one crowned winner, it goes without saying that the top three will inevitably make their mark on the music industry in a significant way. You can tune into American Idol‘s season 21 finale now on ABC, or watch all of its emotional glory tomorrow on Hulu, and don’t forget to grab your tissues.


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Author
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Ashley Marie
Ashley Marie is a staff writer, beat leader, Disney fanatic, and Yellowstone expert. When she's not filling her friends in on all the entertainment news they can handle, she's drinking her go-to Starbucks order — a caramel macchiato, thank you — and wishing she was at Disney World or spending time at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. With a focus on positivity and kindness in journalism, Ashley has been writing for a decade and hopes to keep bringing you articles for decades to come.