‘American Idol’ Runner-Up Posts Sweet Message To Winner – His Girlfriend

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The American Idol winner has been crowned! Although that moment is always the most exciting and shocking part of the night, there was another that took a close second.

After Gabby Barrett was announced as the third place finisher, the remaining two contestants Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Maddie Poppe performed the Israel Kamakawiwoʻole hit song, a mashup of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and “What A Wonderful World.”

Before performing the duet, host Ryan Seacrest asked Caleb if there was a special significance to singing this song with Maddie.

“Well, you know, Maddie’s like my best pal,” he said. “And I’ve known her since the beginning of Hollywood Week and she actually happens to be my girlfriend, so that makes it easier.”

His shocking confession sent the crowd into a frenzy and made the three judges freak out! Katy Perry started literally spinning in her chair, with some help from Luke Bryan, and Lionel just stood with his hands in the air.

Not long after this duet took place, Seacrest brought them together again to announce the winner of Season 16 of American Idol – Maddie Poppe!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI89nVn6LHk

Even though Caleb didn’t win, it didn’t matter to him because his girlfriend did! As it turns out, the two have secretly been an item since Hollywood Week and no one, not even the judges, knew about it! After Maddie was crowned the winner, Caleb took to social media to congratulate her, writing, “MY GIRLFRIEND WON AMERICAN IDOL!!! No one deserved it more than you babe. I am honored to know you and even more honored to call you mine. Don’t forget about me. I love you ❤”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjENwrEA5GZ/

Watch Caleb’s confession, and his duet with Maddie, in the video below.