With just 24 hours until Sunday’s American Idol finale (ABC, 8/7c), we have a little confession to make: We aren’t totally sure who’s going to win this thing.
Sure, America has fallen head over heels for Iam Tongi, who regularly elicits the studio audience’s loudest cheers, but neither Colin Stough nor Megan Danielle should be counted out just yet.
And if you think Idol isn’t capable of pulling off a surprise ending, I have two words for you: “Soul Patrol.” Heck, I was pretty confident that Wé Ani had secured a spot for herself in this season’s finale, yet here we are with an Ani-less Top 3. Thankfully, she is coming back to the finale for a special performance, along with several of this season’s eliminated favorites.
So now there are two questions we must ask ourselves: Which of the remaining finalists do we think will win on Sunday? And which singer do we think should win, despite the outcome? If you really search your soul, you might discover that you have two different answers. Or not, but hey, we have to pass the time somehow, right?
Read on for a breakdown of your three options, complete with video of their best performances, then vote in our pair of polls. When you’re done, go ahead and let out some more feelings about the Idol finale in a comment.
More than merely the best head of hair this season, Stough is also a soulful country crooner with down-home charm and a love for his momma. He’s also capable of pulling off the occasional surprise, like his unforgettable spin on Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own.” Hit PLAY on the video above to relive that growly goodness.
Tongi strummed his way into our hearts with his emotional audition, and we’ve remained willingly under his spell ever since. With his ethereal voice and quiet depth, Tongi regularly transport us to another plane of existence — and we love it there. For now, let’s look back on his chilling performance of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence.”
Some Idol contestants are singers, while others are artists. Danielle is definitely among the latter, putting her signature stamp on every performance. Let’s look back at her audition, which included a surprise cameo from Danielle’s personal idol.
Cast this first vote with your head. Despite how you may feel about the finalists, vote for the person you predict will win the season:
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Now it’s time to vote with your heart. Even if the odds are against them, which of the three finalists should win the season?
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Its IDOL, not Best Singer, so Colin will and should win. He’s got the look, the charm, and enough talent to pull a win. Iam is overrated, he was not versatile enough to win it. Megan lacks the charm.
I couldn’t have said it better. Megan isn’t likable and Iam is boring. Colin is marketable and charming.
I totally agree with his comment, Jason’s..
I agree.
Best singer: Megan
Most likable: Ian
Country Vote: Cole
CORRECTION:
Best singer: Megan
Most likable: Iam
Country Vote: Colin
I really do not get all of the fan support for Iam. Very nice guy, sad backstory, but there is nothing about him or his performances that scream American idol winner. All of his performances sound the same & they’re really kind of dull. Sorry. Since We is gone – who should have won – I’m hoping Colin wins. Concerned that Colin & Megan will split the vote, though, & Iam will end up winning. That would not be good!
Totally agree. He is plain, doesn’t have a stage presence and sounds the same no matter what he sings
I agree with Julia
Lol you know nothing.
Sorry, Iam. You can sing but boring and not Idol material. You won, so congratulations.
megan great artist that could do great live shows and cds
colin- will do very good in the country music field
i am tongi-why nice and full of pity me storys this is a singing co0ntest and hes no where close to the other 2.if he wins he will be a bigger failure then taylor hicks!
Barry…..YOU are ABSOLUTELY right on. Megan has a distinct sound that is instantly recognizable. She will be a star artist because of that and Iam will be forgotten win or lose in a year or two. I honestly think WE and Colin will also have great careers in music. Very talented final 10 singers this year.
Taylor Hicks was fantastic and has done very well as will Iam
Taylor Hicks hasn’t released an album in many years. I think he has one coming out in the near future.
Hicks hasn’t had a song HE has done on the Billboard Top 40 in his career. He hasn’t done well now his fellow 2nd, 3rd and 4th place all have done very well.
I agree with what you are saying with the exception being that at it’s core Idol is not a singing contest, it is a popularity contest. We have already seen better singers than the 3 finalists go home.
Of course it is and always has been a popularity contest. Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson and others are mediocre singers who still connected with audiences. The question is which singer would you pay to see in concert (which BTW is where the money is these days), and IMO that wouldn’t be Iam or Megan.
Ian is a cool soul and a sweet singer but he will never be a success in the music industry. He’s a lovable gimmick. We’Lani should have been a landslide winner this season. It’s a shame too many people vote from their heart and not their head.. or knowledge of music. I’m not a huge Megan fan and would rather Colin win but I believe Megan will win.
I’ve read alot of comments. American idol is not just about the voice , it’s about someone who can draw you in and you get lost in the music. Iam is that everytime. You feel something. I think the final three are all great but Iam has my vote.
right on dudette!
It actually is all about the voice. It’s a SINGING. Contest
Actually it is a popularity contest. Yes, usually good singing gets you there but America isn’t always that discerning. All of the shows that use America’s vote are very much popularity contests
If this were really a “singing“ contest, why didn’t We Ani win? She has a killer voice!
All my favorites are gone now but as long as Meagan doesn’t win idc who does
Brad Pitt is winning. He’s a good ‘ol white boy with twang that loves his momma. Idol demos eat that up. The last two years, same “type” of winner. This year will be no different.
After Adam alambert didn’t win, I knew the show had issues. Notice Adam comes back to help, not the one who won. I guess if you think about it, they’re all noticed now, so really they already won.
Tongi is a much less talented version of Taylor Hicks and that’s not saying much.
Megan Danielle for the win.
She actually has real talent.
Absolutely she is a revelation. Based on Idol results history though, I don’t expect her to win. Probably Colin.
Last year they cheated big Willie S.I.P. Since then I refuse to watch this show so I care less who wins. I believe this show is rigg.
Colin took his dream and transformed into a Star is Born. From day one to the end he created the artist he wants to become. He is the American Idol
Colin has truly grown the most. He has never audition for Idol before or the Voice. Megan was on the Voice, Iam auditioned last year for Idol and didn’t make it. Idol should be about molding their talent and they have done that with Colin. His audition shows him with his head and shoulders down and very little eye contact, look at him now! Idol has truly helped him grow. He can sing anything and in time he will become more confident in moving out from behind the mic and I think his concerts will be very energizing, Iam just sings the same type of songs, doesn’t move and I think he has some health issues and probably won’t be able to fulfill his contract. Colin is based on talent, he has not brought his sad story to the picture. Votes should be on talent, not a sad story.
We’ve been down this road before, guys. Iam is popular enough it seems, but the final result will be:
1. Colin
2. Iam
3. Megan Danielle
Best Singer Megan
Best artist Megan
Most likable Iam
Look for Colin to be gone at the end of hour 1.
I hope
We Ani should have been in the final three with Colin and Megan. Iam is good but the same exact sound time after time and he is NOT that good to win. He is being pushed by the judges to win with Katy picking him to win before the final, which should be outlawed by ABC. Probably would have been if ABC and Disney didn’t want Iam to win. We Ani got cheated because of network favoritism. It’s a shame really.
IAM Tongi, from the beginning, has been the one to beat. He is talented! His new song is wonderful. He has an amazing back story! Whether he wins or not, he is here to stay! A humble and special person…………
I think the producers want Iam to win for some reason. So they got rid of his strongest competition, We, last week to ensure that happened.
Really wanted Zachariah and Tyson to be in the finals.
As often experienced, most voting probably occurs from middle America and the South, hence the bias toward country type singers . In addition, girls possibly vote more leading to cute male performers which would now give Colin the edge- ( see past two years winning contestants). Strong talent and vocal ability do not by any means garnish the most votes usually… or more recently. My pick as the contestants grew tighter, so to speak were: We Ani #1, Zacharia-#2 and Mr. Warren Pea. Oh well…. enjoy the show every year and Bravo- to my fav judges! 👍♥️
I agree with most that Iam will win. But it should be Megan. She;s like the next Bonnie Rait. I’m surprised she didn’t do a Janis Joplin song. She would kill that. Iam is just a rehashed Israel kayakawiwo’ole. And Colin is very good but really just the same old country boy routine. Megan has real soul and a lot of potential.
Colin shouldn’t have nade final 3 with the other talent from top 6
Both Iam and Megan are finalist deserving…. good luck to them both!
I love Iam and his beautiful voice. However, I think Colin has come a long way and his voice and delivery are amazing. I love to listen to soft, expressive voices and both of these two I would listen to throughout the day.
If Iam wins, it’ll show that this season was just a joke. We being eliminated plus Kaeyra not even making it to the top 12 is just ridiculous!! Those two are truly talented!!
Yes, Kaeyra should have been in the top 3!
She was the “cool” one with a great voice!
Listening to music, should be about where it takes your soul, even with R & B. Tongi takes your soul to another level, and this is what this country need right now. People have forgotten how to respect and love their fellow man.
Wei should have won. Easily the best singer. Will be hard to watch it. Probably Colin will win because eAnerica cites country singers.
This is making it sound like Taylor was a surprise win, when in fact he was, and had been, the favorite to win all along. I hate when the press try to change history to fit their narrative.
I don’t know if he was necessarily the favorite to win, but it certainly wasn’t a surprise that he did. I think the consensus was that Katharine McPhee was the better singer but Taylor Hicks was the better performer, so it really could have went either way. If they wanted to illustrate a surprise win they would have been better off referencing Kris Allen over Adam Lambert or Lee DeWyze over Crystal Bowersox.