Throughout the whole season 17 of the hit music reality show American Idol, there was a fan favorite who was actually predicted to become the winner this season by the masses. But, guess there were some surprises thrown at the finale of S17, the biggest surprise being the announcement of the winner who happened to be “Laine Hardy”.
Laine Hardy who belongs from Louisiana and was famously known as the “Southern Heartthrob” of the show performed his brand new single “Flame” after he was announced as the winner of Season 17.
The 19-year-old singer had already auditioned before for the show but returned this season as a guitarist with his friend. His friend got selected and although, he did not plan to sing but the judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan convinced him and upon hearing his voice they got so impressed that they decided to give Hardy his golden ticket.
In the finale episode, he rivaled against the fan and judges favorite contestant, the 25-year-old dishwasher and street performer, powerhouse singer Alejandro Aranda.
After Alejandro performed his own song, “Tonight”. Katy Perry shared her thoughts.
“Look, I love being on ‘American Idol,’ ” Perry said. “But of course, some would say in the past, ‘American Idol’ — you know, it’s been a bit of a karaoke show. Not anymore. When people like you come on, you bring original music. You bring artistry, and you make the stakes even higher.”