American Idol final three: Who is Maddie Poppe?

Maddie Poppe is heading into the American Idol Season 16 finale. 

The 20-year-old Iowa-native has been beloved by fans since the beginning and she’s hopeful that will carry her through the finale and see her named the winner. 

Maddie will go head-to-head with fellow finalists Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Gabby Barrett in the first half of the two-part finale before the winner’s announced on May 21, 2018. 

Maddie Poppe is headed to the final round of competition on season 16 of American Idol

Whether she wins or not, Maddie has made an impression. She’s been hailed ‘the darling of American Idol’ by the Des Moines Register and has built a serious following for herself. 

So what do you need to know about Maddie Poppe before the American Idol Season 16 finale? Check it out. 

Who is Maddie Poppe?

Maddie Poppe is a 20-year-old finalist on season 16 of American Idol. She’s from Clarksville, Iowa and is a student. 

Before appearing on American Idol, Maddie was a student at Iowa Central Community College, which she enrolled in in 2016. She’s now studying at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa.

According to The Messenger, she was studying graphic design at her first university, but has since transferred to study digital mass media. 

Speaking on her career aspirations, Maddie told the publication that music is her true passion: ‘I really don’t want to pursue anything else or do anything else. I don’t think I could ever stop doing it or walk away.’

Maddie is currently on hiatus from school while she competes on American Idol.

Like fellow finalist Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Maddie auditioned to be on The Voice. 

She told Waverly Newspapers she didn’t make it far into the competition, however.

‘I think every musician has to be told no before something really big happens for them,’ she said. ‘I really think I needed to go through that experience because…it tested my determination [and] my perseverance.’

Maddie currently has an album out called Songs from the Basement, which is available on iTunes and Spotify. It was released in 2016.

In addition to being a great singer, Maddie is a talented instrumentalist. She plays guitar, ukulele and keyboard. 

Maddie Poppe hometown concert

During Tuesday’s episode of American Idol, Maddie Poppe returned home to Iowa to put on a show for locals. 

While there, Maddie was taken to her school where the 22 people she graduated with surprised her and the younger students with a rendition of Rainbow Connection.

Maddie sang the song during her American Idol audition.

The American Idol finalist was then presented with a proclamation from the town’s mayor declaring May 15 Maddie Poppe Day. 

Maddie Poppe Beach Boys

Maddie Poppe recently performed the Beach Boys hit single God Only Knows. The song blew the judges away, especially Luke Bryan who said he didn’t know the song ‘but, like, I wanted to go skipping down a beach’.

Maddie was visibly emotional after the performance. Perhaps because it had a special meaning to her. 

Speaking with HollywoodLife on her song selection, Maddie explained: ‘I’ve always loved that song.

‘I was talking with my vocal coach about that and I said, “I wanna sing this song,” and he said, “Yeah we need to sing that song some week.” 

‘Well, then we found out Mother’s Day week was coming up and I though…man, I mean, could I sing that for Mother’s Day? It’s kinda saying that we drive each other crazy, but I’d be nothing without you. I’ve loved that song since I first heard it and I love the Beach Boys, so that’s why I picked that song.’ 

Maddie Poppe Bare Necessities 

During Disney Week on American Idol Season 16, Maddie Poppe performed Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book. 

The performance wowed judges and the audience and pushed her through to another week of competition. 

Video of the performance uploaded to YouTube has been viewed more than 600,000 times. 

Maddie Poppe songs

Maddie Poppe has an album out on iTunes and Spotify called Songs From the Basement. The project was released in 2016.

It includes seven songs.

You can also check it out on Maddie’s website. 

American Idol final 3

Maddie Poppe, Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Gabby Barrett are the final three competitors on Season 16 of American Idol. All three have become beloved by their respective fans and have a good shot at winning the competition.

When is the American Idol finale?

The American Idol finale will air in two separate parts. The first will be on TV on May 20, 2018.

During that episode, Maddie Poppe, Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Gabby Barrett will face off on last time. 

The next part will air on May 21, 2018. The winner will be announced during that episode.

What does the winner of American Idol get?

The American Idol winner gets a recording contract with Hollywood Records and a cash prize of $250,000 (£185,000).



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