Season 16 of American Idol isn’t just a stage for contestants to shine; it’s also where a love story began to bloom. The Top 2 finalists, Maddie Poppe and Caleb Lee Hutchinson, shared more than just the spotlight—they shared a special bond.
Before they took the stage for a duet, host Ryan Seacrest couldn’t resist asking Caleb if there was something more behind the song they were about to perform together.
“Well, you know, Maddie’s like my best pal,” Caleb, with a grin, revealed to the audience and viewers at home a secret . “And I’ve known her since the beginning of Hollywood Week and she actually happens to be my girlfriend, so that makes it easier.”
His shocking confession rocked the crowd and had the judges in a state of excitement! Katy Perry was so thrilled that she spun around in her chair with a bit of assistance from Luke Bryan, while Lionel Richie stood there, arms raised in amazement.
Just moments after revealing their relationship to the world, they delivered a performance that left everyone speechless. Singing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and “What A Wonderful World,” their voices intertwined perfectly, creating a magical and moving performance. The duet was a stunning showcase of their vocal chemistry and deep connection, making it a performance to remember for everyone in the room.
A viewer online expressed the feeling, saying, “I wish I could like this a thousand times over! They need to record this mash up on an album I’ve never heard over the rainbow sang this perfectly! Far better than the original!”