Seasons · ABC

Season 21 (2023)

Aired on ABC from February 19, 2023 to May 21, 2023. The 12 finalists (Top 12): the contestants listed for season 21 in the Contestants table of Wikipedia's List of American Idol finalists, the same group as the season's finals and elimination chart. Contestants cut at the Top 26 and Top 20 stages are not finalists.^⁠[1][2]

Finalists

• Winner
• Runner-up
• Other finalists

Season 21 finalists: show result, then career after the show

Finalist	Show result	After the show
Iam Tongi	Winner⁠[1][2] Last competed May 21, 2023	William Guy Tongi, who performs as Iam Tongi, won American Idol season 21 in 2023. He released Dreams in 2020 and I'll Be Seeing You in May 2023, then the singles Why Kiki? and Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride. On March 13, 2026, 19 Recordings, Inc. released his debut album Good For My Soul.⁠[3][4][5]
MDMegan Danielle	Runner-up⁠[1][2] Last competed May 21, 2023	Latest documented update (February 14, 2025): Megan Danielle, from Douglasville, Georgia, was the runner-up of American Idol season 21 and had reached the top 9 of The Voice season 18 on Kelly Clarkson's team. 19 Recordings released Dream Girl on May 19, 2023. Provident Entertainment announced her roster addition on November 15, 2024, the day When I Found You came out, and Honey Sweet followed on February 14, 2025.⁠[6][7][8][9]
CSColin Stough	Third place⁠[1][2] Last competed May 21, 2023	Colin Stough finished third on American Idol season 21. He has a deal with 19 Recordings and BMG Nashville. I Still Talk to Jesus came out on May 19, 2023. The Promiseland EP came out on October 20, 2023, and Lookin' For Home came out on July 12, 2024. Later singles run through Bone Dry on July 24, 2026, and Bone Dry (Revisited) with Kenny Wayne Shepherd on October 2, 2026.⁠[10][11]
Wé Ani	Eliminated (4th–5th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 14, 2023	Wé Ani, also known as Wé McDonald, finished third on The Voice in December 2016, on Team Alicia Keys, and later competed on American Idol. She released the five-song EP Frantic on April 5, 2023. As of September 2026 she was working on a debut album in Los Angeles.⁠[12][13][14]
ZSZachariah Smith	Eliminated (4th–5th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 14, 2023	Latest documented update (June 4, 2024): Zachariah Smith competed on American Idol season 21 and released the single American Grace on May 19, 2023, on 19 Recordings and BMG. By June 2024 he had released Midnight in Mississippi, performed Rainy Days at the Grand Ole Opry, and co-hosted the Inspirational Country Music Awards with Megan Alexander.⁠[15][16][17]
HMHaven Madison	Eliminated (6th–8th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 7, 2023	Haven Madison released music independently from 2020, including Already Gone, Therapy, and the EP All the Things I Didn't Say. She reached the top 8 of American Idol season 21, which wrapped in May 2023, and sang Still Need You with Katy Perry at the finale. A signing with 19 Recordings and BMG was announced on December 13, 2023. Turn Off All the Lights came out on April 26, 2024. Roses, a seven-track album on the same artist listing, came out on October 17, 2025.⁠[18][19][20]
OSOliver Steele	Eliminated (6th–8th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 7, 2023	Latest documented update (September 3, 2024): Oliver Steele, a singer and songwriter from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, reached the top 8 of American Idol season 21 and the top 20 with his original Too Soon. He released As It Was and Too Soon in 2023, a Better Together cover later that year, and in August 2024 the songs In the Sky and Love Begins With You. On September 3, 2024, he was scheduled to play the Ritz-Carlton Maui on September 4 and 5 and was working toward an album.⁠[21][22]
WPWarren Peay	Eliminated (6th–8th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 7, 2023	Warren Peay, from Bamberg, South Carolina, was a top-eight contestant on American Idol season 21 and leads worship at a small country church. Integrity Music announced a signing in August 2025. On January 23, 2026 the label released Gimme a Hallelujah and called it his debut single.⁠[23][24][25]
MBMarybeth Byrd	Eliminated (9th–10th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 1, 2023	Marybeth Byrd, from Armorel, Arkansas, reached the top 8 of The Voice season 17 in 2019 on Team Legend and the top 10 of American Idol in 2023. Her releases include Something in the Orange and Jesus & Jail, and the original People Pleaser. On September 18, 2025, she sang a free outdoor concert at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library.⁠[26][27][28]
TVTyson Venegas	Eliminated (9th–10th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 1, 2023	Latest documented update (May 21, 2023): Tyson Venegas of Port Moody, British Columbia received season 21's first platinum ticket in February 2023 for Billy Joel's New York State of Mind. In May 2023 he sang Burn with Ellie Goulding at the finale.⁠[29][30][31]
LLLucy Love	Eliminated (11th–12th)⁠[1][2] Last competed April 30, 2023	Latest documented update (April 24, 2023): Lucy Love, a singer from Holly Grove, Arkansas, competed on American Idol season 21. She reached the top 20 and, on April 23, 2023, sang an original song called Boulders.⁠[32]
NNutsa	Eliminated (11th–12th)⁠[1][2] Last competed April 30, 2023	Latest documented update (May 11, 2024): Nutsa Buzaladze, also known as Nutsa, is a Georgian singer. She began a solo career in 2011, won the New Wave Music Festival in 2014, and released the EP Nutsa22 on May 1, 2019. She finished in the top 12 of American Idol in 2023. In 2024 she represented Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest with Firefighter and finished 21st.⁠[33][34]

Sources

34 sources

1. 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 12 rows with Season 21
   • Contestants table, row Iam Tongi: Season 21, Place finish Winner
   • Contestants table, row Megan Danielle: Season 21, Place finish Runner-up
   • Contestants table, row Colin Stough: Season 21, Place finish 3rd
   • Contestants table, row Wé Ani: Season 21, Place finish 4th-5th
   • Contestants table, row Zachariah Smith: Season 21, Place finish 4th-5th
   • Contestants table, row Haven Madison: Season 21, Place finish 6th-8th
   • Contestants table, row Oliver Steele: Season 21, Place finish 6th-8th
2. American Idol season 21 — Wikipedia, updated July 21, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
   Cited parts (8) of source 2

   • Finals section (Top 12 to Finale tables); Elimination chart
   • Lead section: “Iam Tongi won the season on May 21, 2023, while Megan Danielle was the runner-up, and Colin Stough finished in third place.”
   • Lead section; Top 3 – Finale (May 21) table; Elimination chart, row Iam Tongi: Pl. 1, Finale (5/21) Winner; ratings table, episode 20 Season Finale, May 21, 2023: “Iam Tongi won the season on May 21, 2023”
   • Lead section; Elimination chart, row Megan Danielle: Pl. 2, Finale (5/21) Runner-up: “Megan Danielle was the runner-up”
   • Lead section; Top 3 – Finale (May 21) section and table (Third place); Elimination chart, row Colin Stough: Pl. 3, Finale (5/21) Third place: “Colin Stough finished in third place”
   • Top 5 – Disney (May 14) table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Wé Ani: Pl. 4, Top 5 column (5/14)
   • Top 5 – Disney (May 14) table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Zachariah Smith: Pl. 4 (shared), Top 5 column (5/14)
   • Top 8 – Alanis Morissette & Ed Sheeran (May 7) table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Haven Madison: Pl. 6, Top 8 column (5/7)
3. Iam Tongi — Wikipedia, updated May 17, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 7, 2026.
   Cited parts (1) of source 3

   • Lead sentence: “is an American singer who won [[American Idol (season 21)|season 21]]”
4. Iam Tongi Releases Debut Full-Length Album Good For My Soul — Halo Entertainment Group, published March 13, 2026. Label or artist. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
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   • Dateline March 13, 2026: “debut full-length album Good For My Soul via 19 Recordings, Inc.”
5. iTunes Search API album results for Iam Tongi — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
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   • Good For My Soul album result: "releaseDate":"2026-03-13T07:00:00Z"
6. Who Is Megan Danielle? American Idol — Hollywood Life, published May 21, 2023. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
   Cited parts (1) of source 6

   • Runner-up line: “Megan became the American Idol season 21 runner-up.”
7. American Idol Runner-Up Megan Danielle Signs with Provident + Releases New Single — CCM Magazine, published November 15, 2024. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
   Cited parts (1) of source 7

   • November 15, 2024 announcement: “Provident Entertainment announces the addition of singer/songwriter Megan Danielle to its roster.”
8. iTunes Search API album results for Megan Danielle — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
   Cited parts (1) of source 8

   • Honey Sweet result: "releaseDate":"2025-02-14T08:00:00Z"
9. About Megan Danielle — Megan Danielle. Label or artist. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
   Cited parts (1) of source 9

   • About page: “Megan released singles, “When I Found You” & “Honey Sweet,””
10. Colin Stough — BBR Music Group. Label or artist. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 10

    • Biography: “audition for American Idol Season 21”
    • Biography: “a standout third-place finish”
    • Biography: “a deal with 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville”
11. iTunes album lookup for artist 1681681468 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (5) of source 11

    • I Still Talk To Jesus: "releaseDate":"2023-05-19T07:00:00Z"
    • Promiseland EP: "releaseDate":"2023-10-20T07:00:00Z"
    • Lookin' For Home: "releaseDate":"2024-07-12T07:00:00Z"
    • Bone Dry: "releaseDate":"2026-07-24T07:00:00Z"
    • Bone Dry (Revisited): "releaseDate":"2026-10-02T07:00:00Z"
12. Wé Ani (Wikipedia revision 1374986791) — Wikipedia, updated September 15, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (4) of source 12

    • Lead: “known professionally as '''Wé Ani'''”
    • Birth name: “birth_name = Wé McDonald”
    • Team: “Alicia Keys”
    • Album: “working on her debut album in Los Angeles, California”
13. The Voice (American TV series) season 11 (Wikipedia revision 1375727275) — Wikipedia, updated September 19, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
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    • Finals: “December 12, 2016, with the final results following on Tuesday, December 13, 2016”
    • Result: “3rd place”
14. Apple album search for We Ani — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 14

    • Frantic - EP: "collectionName":"Frantic - EP"
    • Frantic - EP: "releaseDate":"2023-04-05T07:00:00Z"
    • Frantic - EP: "trackCount":5
15. Zachariah Smith Releases Heart-Pounding Anthem, "American Grace," After Exiting American Idol — Music Mayhem Magazine, published May 19, 2023, updated February 17, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 15

    • Single: ““American Grace,” is out now”
    • Posted: “Posted on May 19, 2023”
16. Apple album search for Zachariah Smith — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 16

    • American Grace - Single: "releaseDate":"2023-05-19T07:00:00Z"
17. From Small Towns to American Idol and the Grand Ole Opry Stage, Zachariah Smith Presents "My Miracle Moments" — Our Mississippi Home, published June 4, 2024, updated June 4, 2024. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 17

    • Second single: “Midnight in Mississippi”
    • Opry: “performed LIVE on the Grand Ole Opry stage”
    • Awards show: “Inspirational Country Music Awards (ICMA)”
18. American Idol Contestant Haven Madison Signs With 19 Recordings/BMG — MusicRow, published December 13, 2023, updated December 13, 2023. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 18

    • Body: “Having released music independently since 2020”
    • Body: “making it to the final Top 8”
    • Lede: “Haven Madison has signed with 19 Recordings/BMG.”
19. Haven Madison Interview On Being An American Idol Finalist — Songwriter Universe, published May 2, 2024. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 19

    • Interview: “wrapping up in May 2023.”
20. iTunes album lookup for artist 1516289438 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
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    • Turn Off All the Lights: "releaseDate":"2024-04-26T07:00:00Z"
    • Roses: "releaseDate":"2025-10-17T07:00:00Z"
21. Oliver Steele Stuns American Idol Judges with Moving Original Too Soon — American Songwriter, published April 24, 2023. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 21

    • Second paragraph: “The 25-year-old singer and songwriter from Mount Juliet, Tennessee”
    • Opening paragraph: “which took him into the Top 20 of American Idol”
22. American Idol contestant Oliver Steele making Maui debut Sept. 4, at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua — The Maui News, published September 3, 2024. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 22

    • Idol paragraph: “this soulful artist made it to the top 8”
    • Closing listing: “Oliver Steele performs with Nashville guitarist Dan Bankhurst on Wednesday, Sept. 4 and Thursday, Sept. 5”
    • Album sentence: “He's currently working towards an album”
23. Warren Peay — Integrity Music. Label or artist. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 23

    • Biography: “from Bamberg, South Carolina”
    • Season: “advanced him to the Top 8 in May 2023”
24. Integrity Music Signs Artist & Worship Leader Warren Peay — Jesus Freak Hideout, published August 13, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 24

    • Blaine Barcus quote: “leads worship at his small country church in South Carolina”
    • Announcement: “August 13, 2025”
25. Warren Peay Releases Debut Single Today — Today's Christian Entertainment, published January 23, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 25

    • Single: “debut single, “Gimme a Hallelujah,” today”
    • Dateline: “JANUARY 23, 2026”
26. Who Is Marybeth Byrd? Get To Know The American Idol Country Singer — Hollywood Life, published April 24, 2023. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 26

    • Voice section: “Marybeth was a contestant in The Voice season 17.”
    • Section heading: “Marybeth has made American Idol’s top 10.”
    • Original-song section: “She’s released other singles, including “Something In The Orange,” “Jesus & Jail,” and more.”
27. Marybeth Byrd Music — Marybeth Byrd. Label or artist. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 27

    • Her Story: “Her original song "People Pleaser"”
28. Marybeth Byrd performs concert at Jonesboro library — Jonesboro Right Now, published September 19, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 28

    • Lead: “performed a free outdoor concert at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library Thursday night.”
    • Byline: “September 19, 2025 10:32 am”
29. B.C. singer wows American Idol judges, earns season's first platinum ticket — Vancouver Sun, published February 20, 2023, updated February 21, 2023. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 29

    • Platinum ticket: “17-year-old from Port Moody”
    • Song: “New York State of Mind”
30. American Idol season 21 (Wikipedia revision 1365314609) — Wikipedia, updated July 21, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 30

    • Finale (May 21): “Finale (May 21)”
    • Duets: “with [[Ellie Goulding]]”
31. Ellie Goulding and Tyson Venegas Light Up 'American Idol' Finale — American Songwriter, published May 22, 2023, updated May 22, 2023. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 31

    • Burn: “biggest hits, “Burn.””
32. Lucy Love Gets Standing Ovation from Judges for Original Song Boulders on American Idol — American Songwriter, published April 24, 2023. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 32

    • Opening paragraph: “The 28-year-old Holly Grove, Arkansas native Lucy Love”
    • Top 20 sentence: “Now, Love is in the show’s Top 20”
    • Boulders performance: “Singing her own song, “Boulders,” on Sunday”
33. Nutsa Buzaladze — Wikipedia, updated November 26, 2025. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 7, 2026.
    Cited parts (4) of source 33

    • Lead: “also known simply as '''Nutsa'''”
    • 2014 New Wave sentence: “which she won”
    • Extended plays table: “Released: 1 May 2019”
    • American Idol sentence: “finishing in the top 12”
34. Firefighter (song) (Wikipedia revision 1374998455) — Wikipedia, updated September 15, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 34

    • Grand final paragraph: “she finished in 21st with a total of 34 points”