‘Idol’s’ Third-Place Finisher Madison VanDenburg Sings ‘Shallow’ From ‘A Star Is Born’
on May 20, 2019 • Updated Jan 15, 2020
How The Idol Finale Turned Out
The three-hour American Idol finale was jam-packed with one performance after the next. Each of the three judges got the chance to sing, and many celebrity guests such as Carrie Underwood and Kane Brown performed as well.
But the stars of the show were the three finalists, Laine Hardy, Alejandro Aranda, and Madison VanDenburg.
It’s time to crown our winner! THIS is the American Idol Finale! #AmericanIdol #IdolFinale pic.twitter.com/i6a46BoCvu
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) May 20, 2019
The three singers were tasked with delivering a number of performances throughout the night.
You could say that those performances carried more weight than any others over the course of the season. Why? Because fans were voting live throughout the finale to determine who the winner would be.
Midway through the show, it was revealed the VanDenburg was the third-place finisher. Then, in the final moment, Hardy was crowned the winner and Aranda was named the runner-up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-1gg4x2FZg
“A Star Is Born” On Idol Stage
But earlier in the night, VanDenburg proved to be a winner in her own right when she won the hearts of viewers and the judges with one of her performances. The song she chose was not an easy one, but she proved she was more than capable of conquering it.
That song was “Shallow,” the hit that emerged from the most recent adaptation of A Star is Born.
Performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, “Shallow” has taken on a life all its own. The song charted all over the world, and snagged the coveted top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, “Shallow” also earned a number of awards, including two Grammys and an Oscar.
Madison Captivates Idol Judges
Because of how popular “Shallow” is, VanDenburg was under a lot of pressure to pull it off. But based on the judges’ early reactions, you could tell that she was doing a brilliant job.
After powering through a series of goosebump-inducing high notes, VanDenuburg wrapped up her performance and waited for the judges’ comments. A spellbound Luke Bryan first said he had no idea what to say because he was so amazed.
Though he did make it clear how his fellow judge Katy Perry felt about the performance, saying, “The whole time you were singing Katy was yelling in my ear so loud!”
As for Lionel Richie, he had great praise for the young. singer. “You have to know what a gift you have. I am, we are, so happy to be a part of your flight into that next stratosphere,” he said. “We don’t know where it’s going, but you are truly on your way.”
Fans Also Share High Praise
Viewers who watched at home were equally impressed. Many flocked to Twitter to share their reactions to the performance.
I literally just ugly cried watching Madison @AmericanIdol @ladygaga #shallow
— Angie Caldwell (@caldwell_angie) May 20, 2019
Holy crap Madison, Shallow was freaking amazing!!! #AmericanIdol
— Tim VwVoyager (@Tim__W88) May 20, 2019
Wow! Madison hit it out of the park with #Shallow @ladygaga did you hear and see her on #IdolFinale
— Michelle D. Sanders (@BossLadyDiva2) May 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/briellecoronet/status/1130266971310891008
Just in case you didn’t get the chance to see VanDenburg sing “Shallow” on the Idol finale, you can tune in to it in the video below. And if you did see it, then you already know that it’s worth watching again!
VanDenburg may not have won Idol, but this performance made it clear that she is destined to be a star. We wish her all the best!
