Who Won 'American Idol' 2022? Season 20 Champion Divides Fans

American Idol 2022 officially has a winner. The intense three-hour finale saw Noah Thompson, HunterGirl and Leah Marlene compete for the top spot, giving jaw-dropping performances along the way.

The finale also saw the finalists perform with some of the biggest names in music, including Katy Perry, Flo Rida, Michael Bublé, Luke Bryan, Earth, Wind & Fire, and much, much more.

However, Noah, HunterGirl and Leah's fate was in the hands of Idol viewers and only one could be crowned the winner.

So, who won American Idol 2022? Newsweek has everything you need to know.

Who Won American Idol?

After more than two months of grueling auditions, intense eliminations and dazzling performances, Noah Thompson was crowned the winner of American Idol 2022.

Leah Marlene finished in third place, leaving country artists Thompson and HunterGirl as the Top 2 acts in the running for the win.

In the end, Thompson was unveiled as the champion. After his win was announced, a visibly shocked Thompson cried out: "My heart is beating out of my chest! This is crazy!"

He closed the show with a performance of his winning single, "One Day Tonight."

Thompson, 20, was entered into the competition by his co-worker, Arthur, and it has been one heck of a journey for Thompson, who has had no musical training whatsoever or any concrete plans to pursue music as a career.

He was also hit with COVID during the Top 5 live show and had to give his performance live from his hotel room, where he was isolating.

After his win, fans of the Kentucky-based singer flocked to Twitter to share their happiness.

One fan penned on Twitter: "YES NOAH THOMPSON WON AND I CANT BE HAPPIER!!!!! WE LOVE YOU #NOAH #AmericanIdol."

A second fan tweeted: "One of the most inspiring stories ever. Noah Thompson literally told his friend not to send in a clip of him singing to @AmericanIdol because he didn't think he had it in him... Months later he goes and wins the whole damn thing. #KentuckyProud."

A third fan of Noah's wrote: "Not gonna lie, Noah Thompson sealed that win when he sang that Rihanna song again. Best #IdolFinale in a while!!!"

However, some fans were left devastated that sure-to-be country superstar HunterGirl didn't win the competition.

One fan tweeted: "No way Huntergirl lost to Noah....I refuse to believe it! #AmericanIdol."

A second Huntergirl fan chimed in: "America is nuts. #Huntergirl is better. #AmericanIdol."

A third fan added: "Congratulations HunterGirl!!! You did amazing and no doubt you will have a bountiful career. @AmericanIdol #AmericanIdol."

HunterGirl fans shouldn't be too upset. Many former Idol contestants who lost out on the top spot, such as Adam Lambert and Jennifer Hudson, have gone on to incredible things and long-lasting careers.

Other Idol fans are gutted Leah Marlene didn't win the competition.

One fan said and wrote on Twitter: "Not like anyone will care, but @_LeahMarlene should've won American idol tonight. Grew up with her, and the versatility of her vocals and music range makes her stand out exponentially compared to huntergirl. Didn't realize it was country idol, not American idol."

A second fan said: "Leah Marlene is the new Haley Reinhart. The most talented of their season but ending in third place. #AMERICANIDOL."

A third fan added: "Does anyone else think that Leah Marlene should have won?"

In the final, the three contestants were tasked with performing a Bruce Springsteen hit. Marlene sang Springsteen's "Cover Me" accompanied by an electric guitar and HunterGirl took on "Dancing in the Dark."

Thompson performed "I'm on Fire", one of Springsteen's biggest hits. After his performance, judge Katy Perry commented: "I think you just swooped in and grabbed every heart in America...you are so humble."

The Top 3 also got to a duet with some famous faces on the night. Marlene performed Katy Perry's hit "Firework" and was joined by pop star and Idol judge Perry, live on stage.

HunterGirl was joined by Idol judge and country superstar, Luke Bryan. They performed the Randy Travis classic "I Told You So."

Last, but not least, Thompson got the chance to duet with Melissa Etheridge, performing her song "I'm the Only One."

For their final bid for the American Idol crown and the deal with Hollywood Records, HunterGirl and Thompson sang a reprise of their favorite Idol performance.

HunterGirl revisited her performance of "Riot" by Rascal Flatts and Thompson opted to sing "Stay" by Rihanna.

Together, HunterGirl and Thompson will appear on Good Morning America at 8 a.m. ET on Monday, May 23, if you want to hear all about their time on the show.

Thompson will then appear on Live With Kelly and Ryan at 9 a.m. ET.

American Idol Season 20 is streaming on Hulu and ABC.com now.