American Idol: Katy Perry cries on her last ever show after seven seasons as judge and winner Abi Carter breaks down in tears too after being crowned season 22 champion in ABC finale

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Abi Carter was crowned the winner of season 22 of American Idol on Sunday's star-studded three-hour epic finale  on ABC that also was Katy Perry's last as a judge.  

The 21-year-old singer from Indio, California, was in shock when she heard the results and started crying as she dropped to the stage. She then hugged host Ryan Seacrest, 49, who helped her to  her feet.

'You did it!' Ryan said. 'You are the new American Idol!'

Kate, 39, also was in tears while standing between fellow judges Luke Bryan, 47, and Lionel Richie, 74, as she was leaving the show after seven seasons. 

Abi broke down crying after she won the $250,000 cash prize and recording contract. She quickly composed herself and sang Billie Eilish's hit What Was I Made For? as the show ended. 

Katy Perry was in tears at the end of the season 22 grand finale of American Idol that was her last as a judge after seven seasons on the ABC show

The crowd cheered while confetti fell around her and the other contestants rushed to the stage to hug her.

Will Moseley, 23, from Hazlehurst, Georgia, came in second. The star-studded three-hour episode featured a stream of famous musicians including Jon Bon Jovi, Seal, Jason Mraz, Bishop Briggs, Cody Johnson, Hootie & the Blowfish, New Kids on the Block, CeCe Winans, and Wynona Judd

The show opened with the three finalists Abi, Jack Blocker and Will singing Bon Jovi's hit Livin' on a Prayer. Bon Jovi, who served as the show's guest mentor for the episode, then came out and joined them on stage. The show was dedicated to the music of Bon Jovi.

The episode was also Katy Perry's last as a judge after she announced in February that she was stepping away from the show after seven seasons to focus on personal projects.

Will was the first contestant to take the stage and sang Bon Jovi's hit It's My Life. Will wore his signature black hat and a silver jacket over a black shirt while he sang.

'Way to go,' Lionel Richie, 74, said.

'It's just fun to watch you,' Luke Bryan, 47, said.

Jack went next. He told Jon, 62, that he was going to sing I'll Be There For You. Jon told him to make the song personal to him. Jack took the stage wearing a western fringed shirt and jeans and belted out the tune.

'You sound good, you look good, no one is blocking Jack Blocker,' Katy said.

Abi Carter, 21, of Indio, California, was named the winner by host Ryan Seacrest and instantly was overcome with emotion and started crying

Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan hugged Katy who smiled as Abi was congratulated

Abi dropped to her knees in disbelief and Ryan helped her to her feet

The season 22 champ composed herself and belted out the Billie Eilish song What Was I Made For?

Lionel, Katy and Luke were together for the last time as judges on the ABC show

Abi, Will and Jack opened the show with a group performance

Jon Bon Jovi joined the three finalists on the stage and also was the special mentor for the finale

Will was the first contestant to take the stage and sang Bon Jovi's hit It's My Life

Jack for his Bon Jovi song performed I'll Be There For You

'Way to push yourself,' Luke said.

Abi picked Bed Of Roses to sing and Jon told her to stay true to herself. Abi sang while playing the piano. The judges gave her a standing ovation and the audience chanted her name.

'That was tremendous,' Luke said.

Abi started crying and said she was so 'unimaginable thankful.' Abi was then shocked when saw Billie Eilish, 22, had taped a video message for her.

'I wanted to say congratulations on making the top three,' Billie said. 'This is such a big deal and I'm so happy for you. It is so amazing to see you in the finale after you sang my song 'What Was I Made For' in your audition. I love you so much. I wish you nothing but the best.'

Each of the top three then took a trip back to their hometowns. Will went back to Hazlehurst, Georgia and met with his family and drove through the small town in a convertible. He then went back to his elementary school and they read the words of his song back to him. Will performed a concert for his town.

Will then performed on the Idol stage My Town by Montgomery Gentry for his hometown dedication.

'You are just a wonderful talent,' Luke said.

Abi picked Bed Of Roses to sing and Jon told her to stay true to herself

'I wanted to say congratulations on making the top three,' Billie Eilish said. 'This is such a big deal and I'm so happy for you. It is so amazing to see you in the finale after you sang my song 'What Was I Made For' in your audition. I love you so much. I wish you nothing but the best'

Ryan hosted the three-hour finale on ABC

Jack went back to his Dallas hometown. Mark Cuban sent him a video message congratulating him on making it to the top three.

'The Dallas Mavericks would love to invite you to perform at halftime,' Mark said.

Jack then took the floor during halftime of a game and sang.

'Absolute dream come true,' Jack said.

Later, he took the stage in Dallas and performed for a crowd and dedicated his song to his wife Georgia. Jack then took the Idol stage and sang George Strait's hit All My Ex's Live in Texas while playing the guitar.

'I think you are on to something it's called a career,' Lionel said.

Abi went back to Indio and rode the Palm Springs tram with her family and friends. She then went back to her school and the kids cheered her on. Abi, in a long blue gown, then took the Idol stage and sang Somewhere from West Side Story. The crowd cheered for her.

'That was a show stopping moment,' Lionel said. 'It doesn't get any better than that!'

Fantasia Barrino, 39, the 2004 winner of American Idol, took the stage and said she never gave up even when doors were closed for her.

'I went through a lot of things but here I stand,' Fantasia said. 'I remain humble…this show opens doors and I'm really grateful for it.'

Abi, in a long blue gown, then took the Idol stage and sang Somewhere from West Side Story

Fantasia Barrino, 39, the 2004 winner of American Idol, took the stage and said she never gave up even when doors were closed for her

Platinum ticket winner Julia Gagnon, 21, a college student from Cumberland, Maine who was earlier eliminated, returned to the show to perform with Jason Maraz one of his hits I Feel Like Dancing.

The top three also got to record some new music at a music studio in Hollywood. Seal then sang his hit song Crazy with finalist Jayna Elise, 22, from Washington, DC, who was eliminated earlier.

Ryan then announced after the first votes had been tabulated that Jack was eliminated.

James Bay then joined former contestants McKenna Faith Breinholt, 25, and Kaibrienne, 20, to sing his hit Let It Go.

Luke then took the stage and sang his single Love You, Miss You, Mean It. Mia Matthews  19, from Centre, Alabama, who was previously eliminated also came out and sang with Luke.

Lionel sang his hit Running With The Night and the top 12 contestants joined him on stage singing backup.

Country singer Cody Johnson sang with Triston Harper, a high school student from McIntosh, Alabama who was eliminated last week, with his hit song Til' You Can't.

Bishop Briggs sang her hit song Triumph with Abi. Former Idol winner Nick Fradiani also returned to perform a Neil Diamond medley with the other contestants. Hootie & the Blowfish shared the stage with Will singing a medley of their hits. 

Luke then took the stage and sang his single Love You, Miss You, Mean It and was joined by Mia Matthews 19, from Centre, Alabama, who was previously eliminated

Lionel sang his hit Running With The Night and the top 12 contestants joined him on stage singing backup

Ryan then announced after the first votes had been tabulated that Jack was eliminated

Jack also did a duet with Katy of her song What Makes A Woman. Katy towered over the audience in a dress that had photos of all the contestants on it.

'I43, I love you,' Katy said.

New Kids on the Block sang their hit song Kids with Kayko, 23, from Fort Lauderdale who was previously eliminated.

Emmy Russell, 25, who was eliminated last week, sang her grandmother Loretta Lynn's hit Coal Miner's Daughter with Wynona Judd. Roman Collins, 24, who was previously eliminated sang with gospel singer CeCe Wayans.

The women in the top 12 sang a melody of Katy's hits while Katy ate pizza and clips of her time on the show played in the background. Katy got on top of the judges desk when they were done.

Will performed his new single Good Look Bad.

'You've come a long way,' Lionel said.

'The ball is in your court,' Luke said.

Jack also did a duet with Katy of her song What Makes A Woman

Katy towered over the audience in a dress that had photos of all the contestants on it

'I43, I love you,' Katy said

The pop superstar stood tall over the audience while performing

Jack also was up on a pedestal while performing the duet with Katy

Platinum ticket winner Abi closed out the show singing her new single This Isn't Over. 

Abi started crying and the crowd chanted her name when she finished.

Katy also had tears in her eyes as her last show came to a close as she stood between Lionel and Luke.

The singer, real name Katheryn Hudson, joined American Idol for its reboot in 2018 as the singing competition moved from its original home on Fox to ABC.

Katy has three-year-old daughter Daisy Dove with her fiancé Orlando Bloom, 47.

Orlando and Daisy were in the audience for Disney Night last week in which Katy dressed as Cinderella.