The American Idol Season 23 finale was packed with surprises, emotional moments, and unforgettable performances — and one of the most touching came straight from the judges themselves.
Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan teamed up for a moving rendition of Richie’s classic hit “Stuck On You.” The performance kicked off with Richie stepping center stage, singing the opening lines with his signature warmth and charm. As he gently swayed to the music, Carrie Underwood joined him, adding her crystal-clear vocals to the mix.
“That’s mighty pretty, girl. Mighty pretty,” Richie smiled, clearly impressed by Underwood’s take on the tune.
Luke Bryan rounded out the trio, singing the familiar lyrics:
“I’m stuck on you / Been a fool too long / I guess it’s time for me to come on home…”
Together, the trio took turns sharing verses, harmonizing beautifully as the audience swayed and sang along. The moment felt like a heartfelt celebration of music and friendship, with fans raving about it online.
“This was absolutely amazing, especially with one of the best songs of all time! Lionel, Luke, and Carrie sounded incredible,” one fan commented.
Another wrote, “I love these three — as singers and judges! Lionel still sounds just like he did back in the day, Luke brings so much heart, and Carrie’s a perfect fit this season!”
Originally released in 1984, “Stuck On You” marked Lionel Richie’s debut on country radio and reached No. 24 on the charts. A proud Alabama native, Richie has long had a love for country music. In fact, his 2012 Tuskegee album featured country reimaginings of his biggest hits with stars like Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Shania Twain, and Willie Nelson.
The finale wasn’t short on star power either, with performances from Cody Johnson, Jessica Simpson, Jelly Roll, Good Charlotte, the Goo Goo Dolls, The War and Treaty, and many more.
But the biggest moment of the night came when Jamal Roberts was officially crowned the next American Idol. The emotional announcement left Roberts speechless, and later he shared a heartfelt message with fans:
“Still trying to process this… I never dreamed a kid from my hometown would one day be called American Idol. This win means the world — not just for me, but for my girls and everyone out there chasing something bigger.”
He ended his message with a promise:
“This isn’t the end — it’s just the beginning. From the bottom of my heart… THANK YOU.”
