AMERICAN IDOL fans fumed when Noah Thompson won Season 22.
Many viewers accused the show of being “rigged” and couldn’t believe it.
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The American Idol season 22 finale came to a shocking conclusion on May 22, 2022 on ABC.
Fans saw the thrilling season come down to three finalists, all under its trio of judges: Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry – all even played in the live finale.
The top two remaining singers in the singing competition were Noah Thompson and HunterGirl – Leah Marlene was eliminated after the first half of the three-hour televised event.
But when host Ryan Seacrest opened the silver envelope, even more viewers were stunned and sensed something was wrong.
Noah explained that he was grateful for “Just the experience, just growing up” – also sharing that he put on his first costume since “prom”.
“Almost 16 million votes have been received for this season,” exclaimed Ryan as the male musician then edged out his country counterpart.
But hundreds of fans were upset, believing the show was “rigged” to favor him – some said they were turning off for good.
One viewer tweeted, “You got American Idol wrong. The producers rigged the show to get exactly the result they wanted. I’m going back to The Voice.”
‘IT WAS WRONG’
Another accused, “@katyperry and @lukebryan have advertised Noah and Huntergirl more on social media and live TV than any other contestant…the show is sadly rigged.”
Another user wrote, “Wow American Idol…must be rigged. No way @noahthompsonmu1 won @_LeahMarlene or @huntergirlmusic…wackkk!”
“Again…American Idol needs to control its vote. Completely unfair and rigged.” wrote one more as dozens sang a similar furious tune.
“I don’t blame Noah at all but he just doesn’t have the STAR QUALITY she has! #AmericanIdol #Rigged,” someone else wrote.
Another tweeted, “I really think @AmericanIdol is rigged lol How did Noah win? Tbh how did all 3 end up in the final? LOL”
As even more stacked: “American Idol is rigged at this point. There’s just no way Hunter Girl didn’t win! Smh”
Fritz Hager and Nicolina were sent home last week after incredible performances.
The finalists performed original songs and covers in tonight’s finale, but last week they sang songs by Carrie Underwood.
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Noah got emotional after his name was read as the winner.
“My heart is pounding in my chest,” he said. “It’s crazy.”
Earlier he performed Rihanna’s Stay, his second time this season – to which Lionel replied: “That’s it.”
“It was one of my favorite songs that you guys sang all season,” Katy said. “You hit some notes boy! When you played this earlier in the season, we knew you had something special, and you just showed it.”
WHO IS NOAH THOMPSON?
Noah is a construction worker from Kentucky and was pressured into auditioning for American Idol by a co-worker.
His affinity for music began at a young age when his father bought him his first guitar and gave him lessons.
Thompson told Hollywood Life that it was his father who wanted him “to be in music,” but as his father taught him to play his first chords, his love for music grew.
It was also his father’s dream for Thompson to succeed in the music industry, and Thompson said, “That’s kind of the point that I’m here, for my dad.” I wanted to do it almost for both of us.
Noah shared during the season that he has a toddler son named Walker.
He and longtime girlfriend Angel Dixon have been together since 2018 and during Hollywood Week, Thompson told Lauren Alaina, “I recently became a dad.”
“My baby boy, that’s my purpose for all of this. It amazes me that I’m even here.”
Noah was unable to take the stage during his May 8 top 5 performance and instead sang both of his songs from his hotel room due to COVID.
“SOME PIECES ARE NOT REAL”
Even former judges have said parts of the show aren’t “real.”
Former judge Mariah Carey once told Australian radio show Kyle and Jackie O that her “non-existent feud” with fellow judge Nicki Minaj was manipulated for ratings.
She went so far as to call the series “so boring and fake”.
“You have to make things up to say about people,” she said. “Half the time the performance is good.”
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