Tonight is the night American Idol Season 24 crowns its winner. The finale airs Monday, May 11, beginning at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+, and unlike most episodes, it runs three hours, ending at 11/10c.
Finalists Keyla Richardson, Hannah Harper, and Jordan McCullough will have one last chance to perform for viewer votes, and the top prediction market apps, like Kalshi and Polymarket, are watching closely.
Who Will Win American Idol Season 24?: A Closer Look at Kalshi's Odds
On Kalshi, Hannah Harper leads the "Who will win American Idol" event market by a wide margin, with Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough trailing behind.
Hannah Harper, a mom of three young boys, has been a standout contestant since she went viral with her original song "String Cheese" during her audition. The track earned her a ticket to Hollywood and reached #14 on the Billboard Country Digital Songs chart. Throughout the season, Harper has drawn comparisons to artists like Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, and Alison Krauss.
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Polymarket Odds: Another Big Lead for Harper
Polymarket tells a similarly lopsided story. Hannah Harper currently sits atop the market on Polymarket, with Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough clustered in the low range. That gap signals that Polymarket traders have significantly more conviction in her heading into tonight.
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Who Could Pull the Upset?
Jordan McCullough has been gaining ground with late-season momentum, and Keyla Richardson brings steady, reliable support into the finale.
Analysts point out that Hannah is the lone country artist in the finale, a lane that often performs well with Idol voters, while Jordan and Keyla occupy a more similar space as powerhouse vocalists with gospel and soul influences, potentially splitting a shared audience.
Tonight's Finale: A Star-Studded Send-Off
The finale promises to be a massive event that goes beyond the three contestants. The Top 3 will be mentored by Grammy winner Alicia Keys, who is also set to perform on the episode.
The finale lineup also includes Brad Paisley, Blues Traveler, Cameron Whitcomb, Clay Aiken, En Vogue, Gin Blossoms, Jason Mraz, Lee Ann Womack, Mötley Crüe, Nelly, Shinedown, and Tori Kelly. Alicia Keys' performance will honor the 25th anniversary of her debut album, Songs in A Minor.
