'American Idol' finale winner Trent Harmon says victory was 'God's will'

Trent Harmon was declared the final champion of the singing competition "American Idol," and as soon as host Ryan Seacrest announced his name, the Christian singer collapsed on stage. When he finally stood up, he hugged his competitor La'Porsha Renae and told her, "It's God will."

"Trent just whispered in my ear, 'You know, this is what God wants. God has something really special for you. You won with me, too, baby,'" Renae told USA Today.

Harmon's words rang true because the show's mentor and record executive Scott Borchetta later announced that he will be making a record deal with Renae too. "I love them both. They're both great," he simply said.

Meanwhile, Harmon said that he collapsed when his name was announced because it was the first time in months that he finally let loose. "I haven't been able to breathe in almost a year. I feel like in that moment, I got to decompress for the first time in almost a year," he said.

The moment was so overwhelming for him because of all the people involved. "There's a sea of people across that stage tonight that 'Idol' made relevant in so many homes for so many years," he continued. "Any time I'm mentioned (as a champion) with a Carrie Underwood or a Kelly Clarkson, I'm OK with that."

Other "American Idol" alumni who took part in the finale include season 6 winner Jordin Sparks, season 3 Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, winner Fantasia, and fourth-place finalist LaToya London. Season two winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken were also there to provide performances.

Even original judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson were there to celebrate with new judges Harry Connick, Jr., Jennifer Lopez, and Keith Urban.

News
Christians take issue with 'one-sided' engagement over conversion therapy ban
Christians take issue with 'one-sided' engagement over conversion therapy ban

LGBT groups have the ear of the Scottish government.

2,700 conversions recorded as Germany’s Free Evangelical Churches report renewed growth
2,700 conversions recorded as Germany’s Free Evangelical Churches report renewed growth

Baptisms and conversions have risen across Germany’s Federation of Free Evangelical Churches, as new figures suggest congregational life has largely rebounded after the setbacks of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The book that changed Sweden: 500 years of the Swedish New Testament
The book that changed Sweden: 500 years of the Swedish New Testament

2026 is the 500th anniversary of the first New Testament in Swedish. This is the story …

Catholic Church 'deeply disturbed' by Greens call for complete abortion decriminalisation
Catholic Church 'deeply disturbed' by Greens call for complete abortion decriminalisation

The Catholic Church in Scotland has said it is “deeply disturbed” by the Scottish Green Party’s call for the complete decriminalisation of abortion.