American Idol 2023 Reveals Season 21 Finale Guest Star Performers
ABC has confirmed that country star and former judge Keith Urban will return to American Idol to mentor the Top 3 on the Season 21 finale and perform his 2022 single “Wild Hearts.” As the long-running singing competition reaches its climactic three-hour finale, viewers can expect a lineup of special guests, landmark celebrations and original material from the finalists.
On the most recent semi-final episode, the Top 5 contestants performed in front of America’s vote. Host Ryan Seacrest announced the Top 3 advancing to the May 21 finale: Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle and Colin Stough. Those three will each debut a new original song recorded during the final rounds.
Guest stars include Season 2’s Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard celebrating their 20 year anniversary
Producers also revealed an extensive roster of guest performers set to appear during the finale. The announced list includes Pitbull, TLC, Lainey Wilson, American Idol alum Lauren Daigle, James Blunt, Ellie Goulding, Jazmine Sullivan, Jelly Roll, Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon, Kylie Minogue, and Season 2 alums Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard. These artists will join the finale to deliver special performances and share the stage with finalists and fan favorites from Season 21.
Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, who finished as runner-up and winner respectively on American Idol Season 2, will be part of a reunion that marks twenty years since their highly watched 2003 finale. Their appearance coincides with the May 21 finale airing exactly two decades after that season’s broadcast, and the two singers have been celebrating the anniversary publicly in recent months. Their inclusion adds a nostalgic element to this year’s show, reminding viewers of how Idol has shaped several music careers.
During the early years of the series, voting predominantly took place via landline phones, a method that sometimes led to busy signals and questions about voting reliability. While debates and fan rivalries were part of the early Idol experience, Aiken and Studdard established a lasting friendship during the competition that has continued in the years since.
American Idol 2023 season 21 Top 3 will debut new original songs
As part of the finale, the three finalists will perform original songs written and recorded during the season’s final week. Iam Tongi’s original is titled “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Colin Stough will sing “I Still Talk to Jesus,” and Megan Danielle will perform “Dream Girl.” These originals offer each artist a chance to present new material that showcases their vocal identity and personal artistry beyond the competition format.
Original songs were also recorded by contestants eliminated during the Top 5 round. Zachariah Smith’s original track is titled “American Grace,” and Wé Ani’s song is called “175 lbs.” Including these songs in the finale highlights the depth of talent across the finalists and provides additional performances for viewers who followed the contestants’ journeys.
Throughout the season, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan have served as the show’s judges, offering critiques, support and career guidance to contestants. Their presence continues to shape the competition’s direction and helps spotlight standout moments as each live episode unfolds. For the finale weekend, the judges will return to help crown the Season 21 winner and participate in onstage moments alongside guest performers.
In addition to performances, viewers will see hometown celebrations for the three finalists. The show will air clips of Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle and Colin Stough receiving homecoming honors in their respective communities, giving audiences a chance to connect with the artists’ personal stories and local support networks.
The American Idol Season 21 three-hour finale will air live on ABC coast to coast on May 21 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Expect a mix of new originals, memorable guest performances, and special reunion moments as the series concludes another season of discovering and developing emerging musical talent.