Seasons · ABC

Season 19 (2021)

Aired on ABC from February 14, 2021 to May 23, 2021. The 13 finalists: the Top 12 plus season 18 runner-up Arthur Gunn, who re-entered at the Top 10 through the Comeback round, as listed for season 19 in the Contestants table of Wikipedia's List of American Idol finalists; the same 13 as the season's Top 12 and elimination chart.^⁠[1][2]

Finalists

Winner
Runner-up
Other finalists

Season 19 finalists: show result, then career after the show
Finalist	Show result	After the show
Chayce Beckham	Winner^⁠[1][2] Last competed May 23, 2021	Chayce Beckham, winner of American Idol in 2021, records for Wheelhouse Records with 19 Recordings. His single "23," which he wrote, reached number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated April 6, 2024, and was certified platinum in the United States. His debut album, Bad for Me, came out on April 5, 2024. He released the EP Old Fashioned on September 25, 2026.^{⁠[3][4][5][6]}
Willie Spence	Runner-up^⁠[1][2] Last competed May 23, 2021	Latest documented update (December 23, 2022): Willie Spence, runner-up on season 19 of American Idol, released the six-song EP The Voice on April 2, 2021. He was killed in a car crash on Interstate 24 near Chattanooga, Tennessee, on October 11, 2022, at age 23. Pastor Van henderson's single Weeping won't last, featuring Spence, came out on December 23, 2022.^⁠[7][8]
Grace Kinstler	Third place^⁠[1][2] Last competed May 23, 2021	Latest documented update (October 25, 2024): Grace Kinstler, who finished third on American Idol in 2021, released her single Love Someone during the show, on May 14, 2021. Later singles include Breaking Myself and, on October 25, 2024, Water. In December 2023 she played Natalie in Love Actually Live in Los Angeles.^⁠[9][10]
Casey Bishop	Eliminated (4th)^⁠[1][2] Last competed May 16, 2021	Latest documented update (October 3, 2022): Casey Bishop, who finished fourth on American Idol in 2021, signed with 19 Recordings and BMG that year. She released the six-song EP Casey Bishop on September 28, 2022, produced by Chris Greatti, including songs written with Willow.^{⁠[11][12][13]}
Caleb Kennedy	Withdrew (5th)^{⁠[1][2][14]} Last competed May 9, 2021	Latest documented update (March 14, 2025): Caleb Kennedy is a country singer-songwriter from Roebuck, South Carolina. On American Idol he auditioned with his original song Nowhere. After the season he played venues across the Southeastern United States, including the Music on Main series in Spartanburg, with Simple Man and Soulshine in the set, and he worked with Brandon Kinney on trips to Nashville. In August 2021 he took part in local community events. In February 2022 he was involved in a fatal DUI crash in Spartanburg County, and in 2024 he was sentenced to eight years, with three of those years under home detention.^⁠[15]
Arthur Gunn	Eliminated (6th–7th)^{⁠[1][2][16]} Last competed May 9, 2021	Arthur Gunn (Dibesh Pokharel), runner-up on American Idol season 18, released the album Riti on June 4, 2026. Earlier albums include Grahan (2018), Khoj (2021), and Tell Me, How Do You Sleep at Night? (2022).^{⁠[17][18][19]}
Hunter Metts	Eliminated (6th–7th)^⁠[1][2] Last competed May 9, 2021	Hunter Metts reached the Top 10 of American Idol season 19. He released the EP Monochrome in 2024 and the single Weathervane on November 15, 2024. In 2025 he released Blue Ridge Run on June 20 and the EP A Crater Wide on October 10, both on Position Music and Interscope Records, and he toured in support of James Bay and headlined his own run in fall 2025.^{⁠[20][21][22][23]}
Alyssa Wray	Eliminated (8th–10th)^⁠[1][2] Last competed May 2, 2021	Alyssa Wray's season 19 American Idol audition drew more than two million views. Katy Perry called her a once in a generation performer, and she reached the top ten. She records musical-theater videos on TikTok as @alyssawrayy, where she has more than 65,000 followers, including hundreds of videos filmed in a dorm stairwell.^⁠[24]
Cassandra Coleman	Eliminated (8th–10th)^⁠[1][2] Last competed May 2, 2021	Cassandra Coleman, a season 19 finalist based in Nashville, released the single Habit in 2022 and Coming of Age on Warner Records on June 6, 2025, a song she recorded with Jack Antonoff. Her eight-track EP End of Your Love came out on Warner Records on September 18, 2026. She was scheduled to play the Austin City Limits Music Festival on October 9, 2026.^{⁠[25][26][27]}
DeShawn Goncalves	Eliminated (8th–10th)^⁠[1][2] Last competed May 2, 2021	Latest documented update (September 1, 2021): As of September 2021, DeShawn Goncalves was studying music at Jackson State University, playing sousaphone in the Sonic Boom of the South, and recording a debut album.^⁠[28]
Ava August	Eliminated (11th–13th)^⁠[1][2] Last competed April 18, 2021	Ava August, also credited as Ava Zaharek, is a singer-songwriter from Laguna Niguel, California who plays guitar, ukulele, and piano. She co-wrote Move On with Mikey Reaves on a 2022 songwriting trip to Nashville, and August Productions released it on February 24, 2023, with Mikey Reaves and Davis Naish as producers. August Productions has released her singles since Daybreak in October 2020; the most recent, Cinematic, came out on November 12, 2025.^{⁠[29][30][31]}
Beane	Eliminated (11th–13th)^⁠[1][2] Last competed April 18, 2021	Latest documented update (March 27, 2024): Brennan Hepler performs as Beane. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2019. In 2021 he was a server at Club Passim in Harvard Square, a job he had held since 2018, his Idol bio listed him as a wedding singer, and he was lead vocalist of the Silver Arrow Band. On March 27, 2024 he performed with Tiny Habits at the Fine Line on the Little Bit Farther Tour.^{⁠[32][33][34]}
Madison Watkins	Eliminated (11th–13th)^⁠[1][2] Last competed April 18, 2021	Madison Watkins, an Arkansas native and a top-12 finalist on American Idol, signed with Provident Entertainment/Sony Music in May 2024. She released the five-song EP Letting Go on May 16, 2025, the single God You Are on April 17, 2026, and Open the Eyes (Praise You) on July 3, 2026.^{⁠[35][36][37]}

Semifinalists

Semifinal round: the Top 24 picked after the Showstopper round, two groups of twelve, who sang over two weeks (Top 24 on April 4 and 5, Top 16 on April 11 and 12). The 12 who did not reach the Top 12 are listed as semifinalists: eight cut at the Top 24, three cut at the Top 16, and Wyatt Pike, who withdrew.^⁠[2]

Season 19 semifinalists: show result, then career after the show
Semifinalist	Show result	After the show
Alanis Sophia	Eliminated in the Top 16^⁠[2] Last competed April 12, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Colin Jamieson	Eliminated in the Top 16^⁠[2] Last competed April 12, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Graham DeFranco	Eliminated in the Top 16^⁠[2] Last competed April 12, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Wyatt Pike	Withdrew in the Top 16^⁠[2] Last competed April 11, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Hannah Everhart	Eliminated in the Top 24^⁠[2] Last competed April 5, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Jason Warrior	Eliminated in the Top 24^⁠[2] Last competed April 5, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Liahona Olayan	Eliminated in the Top 24^⁠[2] Last competed April 5, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Mary Jo Young	Eliminated in the Top 24^⁠[2] Last competed April 5, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Alana Sherman	Eliminated in the Top 24^⁠[2] Last competed April 4, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Andrea Valles	Eliminated in the Top 24^⁠[2] Last competed April 4, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Anilee List	Eliminated in the Top 24^⁠[2] Last competed April 4, 2021	No career summary documented yet.
Cecil Ray	Eliminated in the Top 24^⁠[2] Last competed April 4, 2021	No career summary documented yet.

Sources

37 sources

List of American Idol finalists — Wikipedia, updated June 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
Cited parts (8) of source 1
- Contestants table, the 13 rows with Season 19; note on Arthur Gunn: “Season 18's runner-up Arthur Gunn won the public vote and re-entered at the Top 10, lasting two weeks.”
- Contestants table, row Chayce Beckham: Season 19, Place finish Winner
- Contestants table, row Willie Spence: Season 19, Place finish Runner-up
- Contestants table, row Grace Kinstler: Season 19, Place finish 3rd
- Contestants table, row Casey Bishop: Season 19, Place finish 4th
- Contestants table, row Caleb Kennedy: Season 19, Place finish 5th
- Contestants table, row Arthur Gunn: Season 19, Place finish 6th-7th
- Contestants table, row Hunter Metts: Season 19, Place finish 6th-7th
American Idol season 19 — Wikipedia, updated July 21, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
Cited parts (8) of source 2
- Top 12 section (Top 12, The Comeback, Top 10 to Finale tables); Elimination chart
- Lead section: “Chayce Beckham won the season on May 23, 2021, while Willie Spence was the runner-up, and Grace Kinstler finished in third place.”
- Lead section; Top 3 – Finale (May 23) table; Elimination chart, row Chayce Beckham: Pl. 1, Finale (5/23) Winner; ratings table, episode 19 Grand Finale, May 23, 2021: “Chayce Beckham won the season on May 23, 2021”
- Lead section; Elimination chart, row Willie Spence: Pl. 2, Finale (5/23) Runner-up: “Willie Spence was the runner-up”
- Lead section; Top 3 – Finale (May 23) section and table (Third place); Elimination chart, row Grace Kinstler: Pl. 3, Finale (5/23) Third Place: “Grace Kinstler finished in third place”
- Top 4 (May 16) table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Casey Bishop: Pl. 4, Top 4 column (5/16)
- Top 7 – Coldplay & Mother's Day (May 9) table, Safe with note; Elimination chart, row Caleb Kennedy: Pl. 5, Top 7 column (5/9) Withdrew: “Caleb Kennedy withdrew from the competition after this week due to a personal controversy.”
- The Comeback (April 19) table; Top 7 – Coldplay & Mother's Day (May 9) table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Arthur Gunn: Pl. 6, Top 7 column (5/9)
Chayce Beckham (Wikipedia revision 1376137684) — Wikipedia, updated September 22, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (2) of source 3
- Lead: “winning the nineteenth season”
- Labels: “label = {{hlist|[[BMG Rights Management|BMG]]|[[19 Recordings|19]]|[[BBR Music Group|Wheelhouse]]}}”
23 (Chayce Beckham song) (Wikipedia revision 1335281791) — Wikipedia, updated January 28, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (2) of source 4
- Commercial performance: “reached number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated April 6, 2024”
- Certifications: “region=United States|artist=Chayce Beckham|title=23|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2023”
Bad for Me (Chayce Beckham album) (Wikipedia revision 1343466501) — Wikipedia, updated March 14, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 5
- Lead: “It was released on April 5, 2024, via Wheelhouse.”
Apple album search for Chayce Beckham — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (2) of source 6
- Old Fashioned - EP: "collectionName":"Old Fashioned - EP"
- Old Fashioned - EP: "releaseDate":"2026-09-25T07:00:00Z"
Willie Spence — Wikipedia, updated August 24, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 7, 2026.
Cited parts (2) of source 7
- Lead: “He was the runner-up”
- Death: “on October 11, 2022, at 23 years old.”
Apple album lookup for artist 1485480697 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 8
- Weeping won't last (feat. Willie Spence) - Single: "releaseDate":"2022-12-23T08:00:00Z"
What Happened To Grace Kinstler After American Idol Season 19? — ScreenRant, published July 6, 2024, updated July 6, 2024. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (4) of source 9
- Lead: “placed third behind winner Chayce Beckham”
- Body: “Grace also performed her single, "Love Someone," which was released during the show.”
- Songs: “They include "Breaking Myself," "Pray for You," "Leo," and "Not Me It's You."”
- Love Actually Live: “Grace starred in "Love Actually Live" in Los Angeles, playing Natalie”
Apple album search for Grace Kinstler — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (2) of source 10
- Love Someone - Single: "releaseDate":"2021-05-14T07:00:00Z"
- Water - Single: "releaseDate":"2024-10-25T07:00:00Z"
Casey Bishop Signs to American Idol's 19 Recordings & BMG, Plotting EP — mjsbigblog, published November 17, 2021. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 11
- Signing: “signed with 19 recordings and its publishing partner BMG about four months ago.”
Q&A: Casey Bishop Talks Self-Titled Debut EP — The Luna Collective, published October 3, 2022. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (2) of source 12
- EP: “Produced by Chris Greatti (Yungblud, Poppy) via 19 Recordings/BMG, the six-track project”
- WILLOW: “Collaborating With WILLOW”
Apple album search for Casey Bishop — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 13
- Casey Bishop - EP: "releaseDate":"2022-09-28T07:00:00Z"
'American Idol' finalist Caleb Kennedy out after KKK-style hood video surfaces — CNN, published May 13, 2021, updated May 13, 2021. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 14
- Article body, paragraph 2: “Kennedy, 16, confirmed his exit from the reality singing competition in a statement posted on his verified Instagram account Wednesday.”
Caleb Kennedy — Wikipedia, updated March 14, 2025. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (8) of source 15
- Lead: “Caleb Kennedy is an American country singer-songwriter from Roebuck, South Carolina.”
- Career section: “For his audition, he performed an original song titled Nowhere”
- Career section: “He played at venues across the Southeastern United States, including his hometown's Music on Main series in Spartanburg.”
- Career section: “including Simple Man and Soulshine”
- Career section: “He collaborated with country musicians, such as Brandon Kinney, during trips to Nashville, Tennessee.”
- Career section: “In August 2021, Kennedy participated in local community events”
- Personal life: “In February 2022, Kennedy was involved in a fatal DUI crash in Spartanburg County.”
- Personal life: “In 2024, Kennedy pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to eight years in prison, with three of those years to be served under home detention.”
American Idol season 18 — Wikipedia, updated July 21, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 16
- Lead section (season 18 article): “with Gunn ultimately being selected by the public's votes to join Season 19. He tied with Hunter Metts for sixth place.”
American Idol Runner-Up Arthur Gunn Releases New Album — Talent Recap, published April 22, 2022. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 17
- Earlier work: “whose real name is Dibesh Pokharel”
Arthur Gunn (Wikipedia revision 1294026957) — Wikipedia, updated June 5, 2025. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 18
- Lead: “runner-up finalist”
Apple album lookup for artist 1151995296 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (2) of source 19
- Riti: "releaseDate":"2026-06-04T07:00:00Z"
- Riti: "collectionName":"Riti"
American Idol Alum Hunter Metts Shares Plans for New Music — Everything Nash, published August 3, 2021, updated August 3, 2021. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 20
- Body: “Hunter Metts made it into the Top 10 on Season 19 of American Idol”
Hunter Metts at The Basement — The Basement. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (3) of source 21
- Monochrome: “delivered his debut EP Monochrome in 2024.”
- Weathervane: “his 2024 viral hit “Weathervane,””
- Tour: “touring North America as support for multi-platinum hitmaker James Bay and launching his own debut headline run in fall 2025.”
Apple album search for Hunter Metts — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (3) of source 22
- Weathervane - Single: "releaseDate":"2024-11-15T08:00:00Z"
- Blue Ridge Run - Single: "releaseDate":"2025-06-20T07:00:00Z"
- A Crater Wide: "releaseDate":"2025-10-10T07:00:00Z"
Hunter Metts releases new single Blue Ridge Run — The Concert Chronicles, published July 17, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 23
- Blue Ridge Run: “Out now via Position Music/Interscope Records”
Book with Alyssa Wray — Broadway Plus. Fan site. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (4) of source 24
- Artist bio: “breaking the internet with over two million views of her Season 19 American Idol audition”
- Artist bio: “Alyssa was dubbed by Katy Perry a once in a generation type of performer and made it all the way to the top ten”
- Artist bio: “Alyssa (@alyssawrayy) is also a Musical Theater TikTok star with over 65,000 followers”
- Artist bio: “has recorded hundreds of videos in her dorm stairwell”
ACL Fest Artist Q&A: Cassandra Coleman — 360°Sound, published October 7, 2026, updated October 7, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (2) of source 25
- Lead: “The Nashville-based singer-songwriter is scheduled to perform during Weekend Two at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9”
- EP: “You released the 8-track EP, End of Your Love , in September on Warner Records.”
Cassandra Coleman Drops Bittersweet Debut Single Habit — mjsbigblog, published October 22, 2022. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 26
- Habit: “Cassandra Coleman Drops Bittersweet Debut Single "Habit"”
Apple album search for Cassandra Coleman — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (2) of source 27
- Coming of Age - Single: "releaseDate":"2025-06-06T07:00:00Z"
- End Of Your Love: "releaseDate":"2026-09-18T07:00:00Z"
JSU Student Overcomes Personal Obstacles to Showcase Talent on American Idol — Mississippi Free Press, published September 1, 2021, updated March 3, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (3) of source 28
- Lead caption: “presently studies music technology and performance at Jackson State University”
- Jackson State: “He plays sousaphone for the award-winning Sonic Boom marching band.”
- After the show: “working with industry leaders to record his debut album”
Ava August drops a heartfelt piano-pop ballad, entitled, Move On — Bong Mines Entertainment, published March 8, 2023. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (3) of source 29
- Article body: “Ava August is a singer-songwriter and musician (guitar, ukulele, piano) from Laguna Niguel, California.”
- Artist quote: “I wrote Move On during a songwriting trip to Nashville last year.”
- Article body: “produced by Mikey Reaves and Davis Naish via August Productions”
Move On - Ava August — Shazam. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (2) of source 30
- Credits: “Mikey Reaves Songwriter Ava Zaharek Songwriter”
- Song details: “Move On was released on February 24, 2023 by August Productions”
iTunes Search API: Ava August albums — Apple iTunes Search. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (6) of source 31
- Daybreak collection 1533418171, artistId 1073385790: "collectionName":"Daybreak - Single"
- Daybreak collection 1533418171: "copyright":"℗ 2020 August Productions"
- Daybreak collection 1533418171: "releaseDate":"2020-10-08T07:00:00Z"
- Cinematic collection 1846654161, artistId 1073385790: "collectionName":"Cinematic - Single"
- Cinematic collection 1846654161: "copyright":"℗ 2025 August Productions"
- Cinematic collection 1846654161: "releaseDate":"2025-11-12T08:00:00Z"
Beane, a Berklee graduate and Brighton resident, soars in American Idol audition — Boston.com, published March 7, 2021. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 32
- Article body: “23-year-old Beane of Brighton, real name Brennan Hepler”
Who Is Beane From American Idol — Hollywood Life, published April 5, 2021. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (3) of source 33
- Article body: “Beane graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2019.”
- Article body: “he's listed as a wedding singer under occupation. He has been a server at Club Passim in Massachusetts since 2018”
- Article body: “He's also the lead vocalist in the Silver Arrow Band.”
Beane - First Avenue — First Avenue. Official record. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 34
- Past shows: “Mar 27 2024 Fine Line Tiny Habits Little Bit Farther Tour with Beane”
American Idol Star Madison Watkins Lets Music Speak For Itself — AY Magazine, published May 31, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 35
- Opening and Idol paragraph: “made it to the top 12 that season”
Signing Stories: Madison Watkins — Music Connection, published June 27, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 36
- Signing facts: “Date Signed: May 2024”
Apple album lookup for artist 767670555 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
Cited parts (1) of source 37
- Open the Eyes (Praise You) - Single: "releaseDate":"2026-07-03T07:00:00Z"