American Idol Season 14 Winner Named

Connecticut native Nick Fradiani was crowned the winner of American Idol Season 14. The 29-year-old Fradiani won over Jax and Clark Beckham, who were considered the early favorites of the contest.

Fradiani likened himself to a football team that peaked in time for the playoffs. This means his win is similar to winning the Super Bowl. He was in tears before he performed his single, Beautiful Life. After thanking everyone, he said it was the best day in his life.

Before the results were announced by Ryan Seacrest, Fradiani said Beckham was among the best musicians he ever met and a very good person.

The finale was opened by Beckham and Fradiani performing Fall Out Boy’s Centuries. The two-hour show was filled with Latin and R&B music with Ricky Martin, Jamie Foxx and Janelle Monae performing their latest singles. The finalists also performed with the New Kids on the Block, Michael McDonald, Echosmith, Pitbull and Chris Brown, Nile Rodgers and Chic, and Vance Joy.

American Idol Champion - image credit: billboard.com

Fradiani also performed Back Home and Honey, I’m Good with Andy Grammar. The American Idol champion performed Back Home last week. The show also had Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban performing Diamonds of Rihanna and Locked Out of Heaven of Bruno Mars.

Former Idol judge Steven Tyler also came back to the show to perform his latest solo single, Love Is Your Name. The Aerosmith frontman also performed Piece of My Heart with Jax. The duo ended up on the judges’ table with their feet up in the air.

When Urban was asked by Seacrest who was his preferred singer earlier in the show, the Australian country music singer said Fradiani will win but it will be very close.

Scott Borchetta told Fradiani and Beckham that the winner will present the CMT Music Awards in Nashville in June. The winner will also attend the CMA Music Festival. He told the two finalists that he will be proud to bring either of them to Nashville. Fradiani is set to sign up with Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group.

American Idol, which is set to have its final season, also announced the first cities where auditions will be conducted for Season 15.

Posted by Kade Quinn on Friday May 15 2015, 10:15 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Entertainment. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0