Who is Maddie Poppe? American Idol 2018 winner revealed

 Maddie Poppe is the winner of American Idol Season 16.

The 20-year-old Iowa native was crowned the winner after out-singing fellow finalists Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Gabby Barrett.

Gabby was eliminated part way through the finale on Monday, which came as a shock to fans who believed she had the competition in the bag. 

During the finale, she and fellow finalist Caleb Lee Hutchinson revealed that they’re dating and performed a duet

 ‘I don’t understand how Gabby didn’t win American Idol and I’m actually really annoyed right now about it…..Still hoping to hear her on the radio someday,’ One angry Twitter user posted.

With her out of the competition, Maddie and Caleb were free to share some exciting news — although only one of them would be crowned the winner of American Idol, both were leaving the competition with a little something extra because they’re a couple.

The announcement delighted fans of both young musicians, though some felt the moment was staged by ABC.

‘Honestly…before this episode began, I was completely okay with Maddie Poppe winning. But now? Now it’s just ruined because it was very obviously staged with her and Caleb,’ another Twitter user said.

The Iowa native and her beau then performed a duet of Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Shortly after their adorable display, host Ryan Seacrest made the big announcement — Maddie Poppe had won the competition. 

The 20-year-old had long been a favorite to win the show. She delighted fans and judges alike with her personality and natural singing ability so much so that she was hailed ‘the darling of American Idol’ by the Des Moines Register. 

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 winner of 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. 

Caleb and Maddie 

Maddie Poppe and Caleb Lee Hutchinson revealed after Gabby Barrett’s elimination that they are a couple. 

During the finale, Caleb told Ryan Seacrest: ‘She’s my best pal. I’ve known her since Hollywood Week, and she actually happens to be my girlfriend.’ 

It’s unclear how long they’ve been dating one another, but they appear to be in love. Caleb shared a photo congratulating his girlfriend on Instagram.

‘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,’ he wrote. 

Many Twitter users felt the announcement that Caleb and Maddie were a couple was staged and they weren’t happy about it. 

‘American Idol is rigged,’ One user said.  

Maddie Poppe wins American Idol

Maddie Poppe was announced as the winner of American Idol Season 16 in the final moments of the finale on Monday. Maddie immediately broke down into tears as the audience cheered. 

She then took the stage one last time for a celebratory performance of her new song Going Going Gone, during which she fought back tears as she sang. 

Her family stood proudly and clapped while she performed her finale song.   

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 were the final three competitors on Season 16 of American Idol. All three were beloved by their respective fans and had a good shot at winning the competition.

In the end, Maddie was crowned the winner.  

When was the American Idol finale?

The American Idol finale aired in two separate parts. The first was on TV on May 20, 2018.

During that episode, Maddie Poppe, Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Gabby Barrett faced off one last time.

The next part aired on May 21, 2018. The winner was announced during that episode.

What does the American Idol winner receive as a prize?

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