LOS ANGELES — Iowa native Maddie Poppe has won American Idol.
The singer-songwriter bested Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Gabby Barrett in Monday night’s two-hour finale on ABC.
Poppe and Hutchinson announced on the program that they’re dating, surprising judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. They then performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Hailing from Clarksville, Iowa, the 20-year-old singer-songwriter has been a fan favourite since the start of the season, wowing with folk-pop renditions of classic songs by The Beach Boys, Sinead O’Connor and The Bangles.
Hutchinson took to Twitter to congratulate Poppe.
The three judges performed during the finale along with Patti LaBelle, Nick Jonas and Mustard, Bebe Rexha, Darius Rucker, Gary Clark Jr., Yolanda Adams and Kermit the Frog.
American Idol has been renewed for a second season on ABC. The series aired on Fox from 2002-16.
Nebraska woman is new Miss USA
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana — Sarah Rose Summers from Nebraska beat 50 other women to win the crown at this year’s Miss USA competition.
Summers, a 23-year-old contestant from Omaha, graduated from Texas Christian University with two degrees and is working on becoming a certified child life specialist. She takes over from Kara McCullough, who won the competition last year.
At the start of a two-hour broadcast, the field was narrowed down to 15 contestants according to how they performed during preliminary rounds.
Winners were chosen by a combination of a selection committee that contest organizers said included female entrepreneurs and executives and input from viewers who were able to vote online. The show was hosted by Vanessa and Nick Lachey.
Summers will represent the United States in the Miss Universe competition.
— The Associated Press
Obamas to produce Netflix shows
NEW YORK — Netflix says that it has reached a deal with Barack and Michelle Obama to produce material for the streaming service.
Netflix said Monday, in a tweet, that the former president and first lady will produce films and series for the service, potentially including scripted and unscripted series, documentaries and features.
Netflix chief executive Ted Sarandos said that the Obamas are uniquely positioned to discover and highlight stories of people who make a difference in their communities.
Barack Obama recently appeared as a guest on David Letterman’s Netflix talk show.
— The Associated Press
