Fox announced in May last year the long-running talent show would end after its 15th season.
Trent Harmon has been crowned the 15th and final winner of American Idol in a star-studded farewell show.
Single mother Renae overcame domestic abuse to compete in the show and won support from the judges for her powerful voice.
The 24-year-old waiter beat fellow Mississippi native La’Porsha Renae to the title as the long-running series came to a close.
It was a surprise win for Harmon, as the judges had tipped 22-year-old Renae to triumph.
He fell to the floor after he was announced the winner and tearfully praised his rival.
“I know that I have a God-given ability, but I didn’t want to take it for granted. I wanted to work so, so hard, and [Renae] pushed me to do it,” he said.
Harmon worked as a waiter at his family’s restaurant before auditioning for the show. He grew up on a farm and described himself as a “dude from Mississippi”.
