American Idol 2023 Top 3: Poll Results, Power Rankings and Winner Prediction
The three-hour finale of American Idol Season 21 airs Sunday, May 21. Viewers will vote in real time during the broadcast, and a champion will be crowned by the end of the night. This article shares the final reader poll results of the season, social engagement data from the show’s video posts, our power rankings of the Top 3, and a prediction for the winner.
Finale night will include a range of guest performers and musical collaborations with contestants who have already left the competition. Producer and former judge Keith Urban returns to mentor and perform with the Top 3 finalists — Iam Tongi, Colin Stough and Megan Danielle — while judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan are also scheduled to appear and perform. Each finalist will sing a Keith Urban song; after one finalist is eliminated midway through the program, the remaining two will perform their newly recorded original winner’s singles. The show will also include hometown video packages that highlight each finalist’s family, friends and fan receptions.
American Idol Season 21 finale airs on ABC Sunday, May 21 at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT.
Facebook Likes and Views
Social engagement on the American Idol Facebook page can offer a useful, if imperfect, snapshot of audience interest. Below are the most recent Facebook video likes and view counts for the Top 3 performances from last week’s episode, ordered by likes. Note that video views and likes often correlate with fan voting but are not exact indicators of the final outcome.
- Iam Tongi – “Lava” – 43K likes, 986K views
- Iam Tongi – “Father and Son” – 42K likes, 856.8K views
- Colin Stough – “Nobody Knows” – 14K likes, 371K views
- Colin Stough – “Real Gone” – 12K likes, 291.4K views
- Megan Danielle – “You Can’t Stop the Girl” – 9.1K likes, 443.2K views
- Megan Danielle – “Carried Me With You” – 6.9K likes, 281.4K views
Iam Tongi stands out by a large margin in both likes and views, demonstrating strong online traction that often reflects widespread fan support.
American Idol Top 3 Power Rankings
Below are the rankings for the Top 3 finalists heading into the finale, based on consistency, growth, vocal ability and audience response. Readers are encouraged to share their own rankings and opinions.
3. Megan Danielle
Megan Danielle has delivered a steady, confident run on the show. She began the season admitting she struggled with confidence, but she has shown consistent improvement and stage presence week after week. Megan’s strength is versatility: she comfortably navigates Christian music, country, Americana and pop. Her tone and control make her one of the best pure vocalists remaining in the competition.
2. Colin Stough
Colin Stough represents the small-town, blue-collar archetype that often resonates with American Idol audiences. He arrived on the show somewhat overwhelmed but has grown more assured with each performance. When he sings acoustically, Colin has a natural ability to command the stage and connect emotionally with listeners — a quality that has carried him deep into the competition.
1. Iam Tongi
Iam Tongi has been a breakout presence since his audition performance of James Blunt’s “Monster.” His emotional backstory — including the loss of his father shortly before auditioning — and his expressive, heartfelt style have made him widely relatable. Iam’s vocal tone, phrasing and authenticity leave a lasting impression on every cover he delivers. His performances have consistently drawn millions of streams and large, enthusiastic hometown support.
Predicting the Winner of American Idol 2023
Based on audience engagement, consistent performances and the emotional connection he has built with fans, the prediction here is that Iam Tongi will win American Idol Season 21. Colin Stough or Megan Danielle could finish second, but the likely runner-up appears to be Colin Stough due to his relatable story and steady momentum.
American Idol Top 3 Poll Results
Who WILL Win American Idol 2023?
In our final reader poll, a clear majority of voters picked Iam Tongi as the likely winner, while a substantial portion of readers feel Megan Danielle or Colin Stough should take the crown based on talent or personal preference.
- Iam Tongi – 61.00%
- Colin Stough – 22.79%
- Megan Danielle – 16.21%
Who SHOULD Win American Idol 2023?
- Iam Tongi – 46.49%
- Megan Danielle – 32.19%
- Colin Stough – 21.32%
American Idol 2023: Readers’ Favorite Top 5 Performances
Readers voted on their favorite Top 5 performances of the week. Wé Ani and Iam Tongi were the top vote-getters, with the poll showing close competition among several memorable covers.
- Wé Ani – “Into the Unknown” (Frozen II) – 17.76%
- Iam Tongi – “Father and Son” (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) – 17.35%
- Colin Stough – “Nobody Knows” (Pete’s Dragon) – 12.75%
- Iam Tongi – “Lava” – 11.91%
- Colin Stough – “Real Gone” (Cars) – 10.34%
- Megan Danielle – “You Can’t Stop the Girl” (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) – 9.93%
- Wé Ani – “The Climb” (Hannah Montana) – 8.46%
- Megan Danielle – “Carried Me With You” (Onward) – 6.79%
- Zachariah Smith – “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” (The Lion King) – 2.82%
- Zachariah Smith – “Life is a Highway” (Cars) – 1.88%
American Idol 2023 Top 3 Reveal: Who Was Robbed?
Many fans were upset about last week’s elimination of Wé Ani; our readers weighed in heavily that she was the contestant most deserving of staying. Still, a sizable portion of voters felt no contestant was unjustly eliminated.
- Wé Ani – 61.84%
- Nobody was Robbed – 30.61%
- Zachariah Smith – 7.55%