#AmericanIdol Season 17 winner is crowned & it's Laine Hardy

After three months, endless tears and triumphs and a massive three-hour, star-studded finale on Sunday night (May 19) that featured solo performances and collaborations with Weezer, Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Daddy Yankee, Kool + The Gang, Idol alum Adam Lambert, Jon Pardi, Kane Brown and Montell Jordan, Laine Hardy emerged victorious as season 17's champ.

In a first, the winner was crowned in front of judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie after America voted in real time during the action-packed, 180-minute show, with Hardy having his hand raised in triumph by host Ryan Seacrest, besting Alejandro Aranda and Madison VanDenburg. Hardy, who closed the show with his debut single "Flame," is the 11th male finalist to win Idol. The other male winners include Ruben Studdard (season 2), Taylor Hicks (season 5), David Cook (season 7), Kris Allen (season 8), Lee DeWyze (season 9), Scotty McCreery (season 10), Phillip Phillips (season 11), Caleb Johnson (season 13), Nick Fradiani (season 14) and Trent Harmon (season 15). The women who have claimed victory include: Kelly Clarkson (season 1), Fantasia (season 3), Carrie Underwood (season 4), Jordin Sparks (season 6) and Maddie Poppe (season 16).
Congratulations to Laine Hardy and all the finalists.