Yahoo Sports American Idol runner-up weighs in on claims the show was fixed
American Idol runner-up Megan Danielle has responded to claims that the show's finale was rigged.
Last week singer saw Iam Tongi crowned as season 21's winner, beating fellow hopefuls Danielle and Colin Stough to first place.
However not all fans were happy with the outcome, with some voicing their opinion online that the show had favoured Tongi over his fellow contestants. Meanwhile, others claimed that the singer had been given favourable treatment following the recent passing of his father.
Following the backlash, Danielle has now spoken out about the claims, rejecting the idea that the finale was rigged in favour of Tongi.
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"I would say that it isn’t just because, you know, I feel like God made all of this happen for a reason," she told the New York Post.
"Even if I was first, second, last, whatever … I feel like any of us really deserved it."
Danielle then went on to give her full support to Tongi, praising his abilities as a musician.
"I feel like Iam was deserving and he’s so humble and so talented," she added. "And this was his time and I’m just super proud of him."
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Throughout the three hour star-studded final, the three finalists performed multiple times in hopes of winning over the public.
Tongi made the judges emotional with his rendition of Keith Urban's 'Making Memories of Us' in memory of his late father alongside his performances of 'I'll Be Seeing You', and 'Cool Down'. He also performed of 'Monsters' alongside singer James Blunt.
Danielle sang 'God Whispered Your Name,' 'Faithfully' and 'Dream Girl' while third placed Stough performed Stupid Boy' and 'Either Way'.
American Idol airs on ABC.
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