‘American Idol’ shocker: Will Moseley eliminated in 2nd place during finale night

On Sunday, May 19, the Final 3 artists on “American Idol” Season 22 each performed a pair of “Finale Night” songs as viewers voted live coast-to-coast for their favorites. (Read our minute-by-minute recap.) Ultimately, after millions of votes were cast, host Ryan Seacrest announced that the person eliminated in second place was Will Moseley, which meant Abi Carter was the winner. (Jack Blocker went home earlier in the night in third place.) Do you agree or disagree with those results? Be sure to comment below with your immediate reactions!

Will kept viewers entertained with song choices such as “Gone for Good” (Auditions round), “Ain’t No Sunshine” (Showstopper round), “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” (Top 24 round), “Makin’ Me Look Good Again” & “Gone for Good” (Top 20 round), “Night Moves” (Top 14 round), “Starting Over” (Top 12 round), “Modern-Day Bonnie and Clyde” (Top 10 round), “Folsom Prison Blues” (Top 8 round), “Gimme Three Steps” & “Rolling in the Deep” (Top 7 round), “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy” & “Born to Be Wild” (Top 5 round), and “It’s My Life” & “My Town” (Top 3 round).

The 23-year-old football player-turned-country musician from Hazlehurst, GA had a one-of-a-kind start to “Idol” when one of the judges, Lionel Richie, left midway through his audition to catch a flight. But he later delivered his remarks via phone, joining Katy Perry and Luke Bryan in offering Will three “yes” votes. Fun fact: Will had given himself “one year” to make a name for himself in music, and suffice it to say, things have worked out pretty well.

The highly anticipated Season 22 finale featured celebrity performances and appearances from A-listers like Jon Bon Jovi, Fantasia Barrino, Jason Mraz, Seal, James Bay, Cody Johnson, Bishop Briggs, Nick Fradiani, Hootie & the Blowfish, New Kids on the Block, Wynonna Judd and CeCe Winans, plus the three “Idol” judges. The evening also served as Katy Perry’s final night as a judge after seven seasons.

Since ABC earned the rights to air “American Idol” in 2018, the winners have consisted of Maddie Poppe (Season 16), Laine Hardy (Season 17), Just Sam (Season 18), Chayce Beckham (Season 19), Noah Thompson (Season 20) and Iam Tongi (Season 21). Are you happy with this year’s newest addition to the show’s iconic winners list?

Be sure to make your predictions to influence our reality TV racetrack odds. You can keep changing your predictions until just before the next episode airs on ABC. You’ll compete to win eternal bragging rights and a spot on our “American Idol 22” leaderboard. See our contest rules and sound off with other fans in our reality TV forum. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.

SIGN UP for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions