[imagesource: ABC]

A 20-year-old construction worker and country singer from Louisa, Kentucky, won the latest American Idol fair and square after a streak of unforgettable performances.

Even though he had just overcome a bout of COVID-19 in a previous round, Noah Thompson ploughed through a couple of songs at the season 20 finale on Sunday.

“I’ve never had such a sore throat my entire life,” he said during that previous virtual performance, which despite being so challenging, cemented him as the stronger performer who earned the most real-time votes during the finale.

He received 16 million votes, with HunterGirl as the second-place contender and Leah Marlene coming in third for the season.

“Oh my God … my heart is beating out of my chest, this is crazy,” Thompson is reported as saying via HuffPost after taking home the crown.

Those watching on Sunday night were treated to Noah performing his single ‘One Day Tonight’:

As well as his stunning rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘On Fire’:

He didn’t stop there, also slaying with Rihanna’s ‘Stay’, a risky choice that both shocked and amazed the judges at the time:

Good Housekeeping reported that he, unsurprisingly, received amazing feedback from judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan.

Let’s take in the moment he was announced as the winner:

Noah’s best friend secretly signed him up for the show and only let him know later, so perhaps they’re owed a big thanks.

The show’s prizes, which have included a record deal in past seasons, should do wonders for Noah and his family, his one-year-old son included.

[sources:huffpost&goodhousekeeping]