Maddie Poppe’s tears of joy were instantaneous after being crowned the season 16 winner of American Idol. The 20-year-old Iowa native — who also publicized her romantic relationship with runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson on last night’s (May 21) finale — had no time to pull herself together before delivering an encore rendition of her single, “Going Going Gone.”
Judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry joined the crowd in a universal standing O as Poppe began her pop-folk hit, but she could barely get two lines through before a case of the chuckles took over. By the first chorus, the happy tears hade made their return, but Poppe thankfully received some assistance from the season’s past contestants, who surprised the winner by storming the stage mid-performance. Naturally, Perry couldn’t resist joining the joyous reunion for the final confetti-showered chorus.
“Going Going Gone” is available for purchase and streaming now. Watch her emotional performance below.