American Idol Finale: Finalists Noah Thompson, HunterGirl and Leah Marlene prepare for final performances

Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan will all appear, as will Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood, who has served as a mentor for the program.

Leah Marlene, Noah Thompson and HunterGirl were good enough to wow the judges all season, and in fact it’s fair to say the trio wowed them from the start.

HunterGirl, who has called Bryan his “favourite female country voice I’ve ever heard” for five seasons on the show, is considered the favorite to win.

“I don’t feel like I don’t know, I don’t know how I got here,” she said. “But I’m so happy I’ve made it to this point.”

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If she prevails, she’ll be the first country singer to win since Underwood started her career on Idol.

The star has mentored Thompson this season and his finish in the top three is all the more remarkable as he has overcome COVID.

“It took a big toll,” he said. “I almost felt like I couldn’t breathe and my throat was killing me, so it almost broke my heart.”

As for the third finalist, Perry said that Marlene looks and sounds like an angel.

“I’m just partying,” she said. “That’s my mood. I’m in shock I’m still here and I’m only going in to celebrate and savor every last moment because we’ve all been together for so long.”

Win or lose, they all call their time on American Idol a life-changing experience.

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