Exclusive: 'American Idol' Champion Abi Carter Opens Up About Luke Bryan's Heartfelt Words Post Season 22

Luke Bryan's intuition about American Idol season 22 winner Abi Carter proved to be spot on from the very start.

Carter, 21, shared exclusively with We on Monday, May 20 that Luke Bryan approached her after the finale and said, "I think this is the first time the person that we thought was gonna be the winner actually was." She was surprised and grateful that they had such high hopes for her from her very first audition.

After her captivating performance of her original song "This Isn't Over," Carter was declared the winner of American Idol on Sunday, May 19. She surpassed her fellow top three contestants Will Moseley and Jack Blocker.

Carter shared with Us that her first reaction to winning was one of disbelief. She recalled thinking, "I remember when it got down to it, and [host Ryan Seacrest] was like, 'And the winner of American Idol season 22 [is],' I was like, 'Will Moseley, Will Moseley, Will Moseley.' Like, it was just ringing in my head. There was no possible outcome in this. There was no scenario that I thought where it would be my name called at the end."

Carter quickly became a standout contestant this season after receiving a standing ovation from judges Bryan, Perry, and Richie for her audition performance of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”

Perry praised Carter for singing from the heart and declared that she was made for this opportunity. Bryan even joked that Carter could potentially be the winner of American Idol.

American Idol Winner Abi Carter on What Luke Bryan Told Her After Finale

Abi Carter and Luke Bryan. Disney/Eric McCandless

During an April episode of the ABC competition show, Perry named Carter as her "favorite" contestant of the season. Bryan also praised Carter, calling him one of the front-runners and favorites at that time.

Sunday's episode of American Idol was a significant night for both Carter and Perry. It marked Perry's final episode as a judge after seven seasons. To celebrate, Carter and other season 22 contestants performed a musical medley of Perry's biggest hits, such as "Teenage Dream" and "California Gurls."

American Idol Winner Abi Carter on What Luke Bryan Told Her After Finale

Abi Carter. Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Carter shared with Us his excitement at winning Katy's last season. He praised Katy and the other judges for their support and encouragement throughout the competition. They pushed him to step out of his comfort zone and strive for greatness. Seeing their emotional reactions on the last night of the show was a surreal experience for him.

Although Perry's replacement on the show has not been announced yet, Carter mentioned that he would love to see Lady Gaga take on the role. He also suggested Meghan Trainor as a potential replacement. However, he acknowledged that Katy's presence on the show is irreplaceable due to the legacy she has left behind.

With reporting by Mandie DeCamp

Editor's P/S:

Luke Bryan's early intuition about Abi Carter's potential as the winner of American Idol Season 22 proved to be accurate. Carter's captivating performances throughout the competition, including her original song "This Isn't Over," left a lasting impression on the judges and viewers alike. Her victory is a testament to her talent, perseverance, and the belief that Bryan and the other judges had in her from the start.

Carter's journey on American Idol was marked by consistent praise from the judges, who recognized her unique voice and ability to connect with the audience. Notably, Katy Perry named Carter as her "favorite" contestant of the season, while Bryan praised her as a "front-runner" and potential winner. It is heartwarming to see that the judges' early impressions of Carter's talent were ultimately reflected in her victory.