Another American Idol season finale meant another night of celebration, collaboration and coronation as the Sunday, May 23 episode celebrated season 19; featured collaborations with established artists like Chaka Khan, Lindsey Buckingham and Luke Combs and crowned forklift operator Chayce Beckham from Apple Valley, Calif. as the 19th “American Idol”.
After the show ended with Beckham performing his debut single, “23,” the new winner told Billboard how his journey on Idol has changed him. “I used to react to everything,” said the 24-year-old who had talked frankly about his newly sober life during the season. “I used to freak out whenever anything would go wrong because I had to be in control.
“This shows me that is not the way to process my life and you’ve got to roll with the punches. Life has given me lemons many times along this road and I smiled right back and made lemonade. I’m very grateful for the things I’ve gone through because that shaped me for this experience and this journey made me a better man.”
