Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Maddie Pope, the final two on “American Idol,” reveal that they’re a couple on the season finale. (Mitch Haaseth/ABC)
So now that “American Idol” airs on a Disney property … was this season actually scripted by Disney?
Because, in a surprise twist, the finale of ABC’s “American Idol” Season 16
on Monday night turned into an a fairy tale. Toward the end of the
episode, the top two finalists — Caleb Lee Hutchinson, 19, and Maddie
Poppe, 20 — revealed that they’re dating.
The rumors had been circulating. Apparently country radio personality Bobby Bones, an “Idol” mentor, already knew
this development. But Hutchinson, a country crooner from Georgia, and
Poppe, an indie/folk singer from Iowa, made it official in front
of millions of TV viewers.
“Results
are coming up very soon,” host Ryan Seacrest promised the audience at
one point, as Hutchinson and Poppe were about to sing a duet together.
“But before we get to those, we want to celebrate the incredible talent
that is your top two.”
He turned to the
finalists. “The country has fallen in love with the two of you,”
Seacrest declared, and then became coy. “I know the song that’s coming
up. I’m just wondering, is there a special significance to the song,
Caleb, when you sing it with Maddie?”
Hutchinson
looked both sheepish and proud. “Well you know, Maddie’s like my best
pal,” he said. “I’ve known her since the beginning of Hollywood Week, and you know, she, uh — she actually happens to be my girlfriend.”
Maddie Poppe and Caleb Lee Hutchinson listen to Ryan Seacrest on the “Idol” Season 16 finale. (Mitch Haaseth/ABC)
The
audience erupted in screams. Hutchinson and Poppe grinned at each other
and started laughing. Even the judges lost it, as Luke Bryan started
maniacally pushing Katy Perry around in her swivel chair.
“So,
the two of them are a couple, and they’re competing for the title,”
Seacrest said triumphantly. “Now, wait. You have to watch this. All
right? Here they are, one final performance together. Caleb and Maddie,
his girlfriend, take it away.”
So Caleb and
Maddie, his girlfriend, sang a stirring rendition of “Somewhere Over the
Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.” Honestly, it was adorable. Near the
end, they clasped hands. Disney has already had an impact on this season
— there was an entire episode where contestants were required to sing Disney songs — but in that moment, the Disney-fication of “Idol” seeped out like never before.
Seacrest
appeared after the performance, looking misty-eyed. “That was
beautiful. Oh, my gosh, I’m in tears watching these two sing that song,”
he said, as he wiped his eyes.
Then he segued:
“Whenever I hear that song, I think of feet in the sand. I think of
sunsets, wide-open ocean views. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? … Ever been
to Hawaii?”
Hutchinson and Poppe looked confused. “No,” they replied.
“Never?
Well, that’s about to change,” Seacrest announced. “Because we’re
sending you, our official top two, on a vacation to Hawaii. The Aulani
resort, a one of a kind Disney experience in Hawaii. Congratulations!”
Viewers were then treated to photos of the resort.
To
sum up: A real-life surprise “love story”? Check. Product placement
that fits perfectly with that twist? Check. Confirming that no matter
who wins, the conversation will center around both finalists? Indeed,
check.
So, nicely done, Disney. This televised
couple announcement was a savvy — some might say evil genius — move for
the “Idol,” which was recently renewed for a second season on ABC after a rocky start.
Finally, Seacrest announced the winner, though not before reminding the audience of “the happy couple.”
“But
for a moment, we’ll have to separate them,” he said, before revealing
the winner was…Maddie Poppe, the proud new owner of $250,000 and a
recording contract.
Carrying
on “Idol” tradition, Poppe was then forced to sing her coronation song
while weeping with joy. Eventually, unable to sing, she gave the
microphone to her fellow finalists, who stormed the stage and embraced
her in a group hug. And that, with a Disney-movie perfect scene, is how
it ended.
Gabby Barrett, Ada Vox, Catie Turner, Dennis Lorenzo, Michael J. Woodard, Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Jurnee embrace winner Maddie Poppe on the “American Idol” finale. (ABC/Eric McCandless/ABC)
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