American Idol: Katy Perry cries on her final show after seven seasons while judge and winner Abi Carter also breaks down in tears after being crowned season 22 champion on the ABC finale.

Abi Carter was crowned the winner of American Idol's 22nd season in Sunday's epic, star-studded three-hour finale on ABC that was also Katy Perry's last as a judge.

The 21-year-old singer from Indio, California, was shocked when she heard the results and began crying as she walked down the stage. She then hugged host Ryan Seacrest, 49, who helped her to her feet.

'You did it!' Ryan said. 'You're the new American Idol!'

Kate, 39, also cried as she stood between judges Luke Bryan, 47, and Lionel Richie, 74, as she left the show after seven seasons.

Abi broke down in tears after winning the $250,000 cash prize and recording contract. She quickly composed herself and sang Billie Eilish's hit What Was I Made For? when she finished the show.

The crowd cheered as confetti fell around her and the other contestants ran to the stage to hug her.

Will Moseley, 23, of Hazlehurst, Georgia, came in second. The star-studded three-hour episode featured a host of famous musicians, including Jon Bon Jovi, Seal, Jason Mraz, Bishop Briggs, Cody Johnson, Hootie & the Blowfish, New Kids on the Block, CeCe Winans and Wynona Judd.

The show opened with three finalists Abi, Jack Blocker and Will singing the Bon Jovi hit Livin' on a Prayer. Bon Jovi, who served as the show's guest mentor for the episode, came out and joined them on stage. The show was dedicated to the music of Bon Jovi.

The episode was also Katy Perry's last as a judge after she announced in February that she was stepping away from the show after seven seasons to focus on personal projects.

Will was the first contestant to take the stage and sang Bon Jovi's hit It's My Life. Will wore his signature black hat and a silver jacket over a black shirt while he sang.

"That's how you do it," said Lionel Richie, 74.

"It's fun to see you," Luke Bryan, 47, said.

Jack was next. He told Jon, 62, that he was going to sing I'll Be There For You. Jon told him to make the song personal to him. Jack came on stage wearing a fringed western shirt and jeans and sang the tune.

"You sound good, you look good, no one is blocking Jack Blocker," Katy said.

“Way to push yourself,” Luke said.

Abi chose Bed Of Roses to sing and Jon told her to stay true to herself. Abi sang while she played the piano. The judges gave her a standing ovation and the audience chanted her name.

"That was tremendous," Luke said.

Abi began to cry and said she was "unimaginably grateful." Then, Abi was shocked when she saw that Billie Eilish, 22, had recorded a video message for her.

"I wanted to congratulate you on making the top three," Billie said. 'This is very important and I am very happy for you. It's amazing to see you at the end after you sang my song 'What Was I Made For' at your audition. I love you a lot. Wish you all the best.'

Then each of the top three made a return trip to their hometowns. Will returned to Hazlehurst, Georgia, met up with her family, and drove around the small town in a convertible. She then returned to her elementary school and was read the lyrics to her song. Will performed a concert for her city.

Will then performed on Montgomery Gentry's Idol My Town stage for the dedication of her hometown.

"You have a wonderful talent," Luke said.

Jack returned to his hometown of Dallas. Mark Cuban sent him a video message congratulating him on finishing in the top three.

"The Dallas Mavericks would love to invite you to perform at halftime," Mark said.

Jack then took the floor during halftime of a game and sang.

“An absolute dream come true,” Jack said.

Later, he took the stage in Dallas, performed before a crowd and dedicated his song to his wife Georgia. Jack then took the Idol stage and sang George Strait's hit All My Ex's Live in Texas while playing guitar.

"I think you're on something called a career," Lionel said.

Abi returned to Indio and took the trolley to Palm Springs with her family and friends. She then returned to her school and her children encouraged her. Abi, wearing a long blue dress, took the Idol stage and sang Somewhere from West Side Story. The crowd applauded her.

"That was a spectacular moment," Lionel said. There is nothing better than that!

Fantasia Barrino, 39, winner of American Idol in 2004, took the stage and said she never gave up, even when doors closed on her.

"I've been through a lot, but here I am," Fantasia said. "I remain humble...this show opens doors and I'm very grateful for that."

Platinum ticket winner Julia Gagnon, 21, a college student from Cumberland, Maine, who was previously eliminated, returned to the show to perform with Jason Maraz one of her hits I Feel Like Dancing.

The first three were also able to record new music at a music studio in Hollywood. Seal then performed her hit song Crazy with finalist Jayna Elise, 22, of Washington, D.C., who was previously eliminated.

Ryan then announced, after the first votes were tabulated, that Jack was eliminated.

James Bay then joined former contestants McKenna Faith Breinholt, 25, and Kaibrienne, 20, to sing their hit Let It Go.

Luke then came on stage and sang her single Love You, Miss You, Mean It. Mia Matthews, 19, from Center, Alabama, who was previously eliminated, also came out and sang with Luke.

Lionel sang his hit Running With The Night and the top 12 contestants joined him on stage singing back-up.

Country singer Cody Johnson sang with Triston Harper, a high school student from McIntosh, Alabama, who was eliminated last week, with their hit song Til' You Can't.

Bishop Briggs sang her hit song Triumph with Abi. Former Idol winner Nick Fradiani also returned to perform a Neil Diamond medley with the other contestants. Hootie & the Blowfish shared the stage with Will singing a medley of his hits.

Jack also did a duet with Katy of her song What Makes A Woman. Katy towered over the audience in a dress that had pictures of all the contestants on it.

"I43, I love you," Katy said.

New Kids on the Block performed their hit song Kids with Kayko, 23, of Fort Lauderdale, who was previously eliminated.

Emmy Russell, 25, who was eliminated last week, sang her grandmother Loretta Lynn's hit Coal Miner's Daughter with Wynona Judd. Roman Collins, 24, who was previously eliminated, sang with gospel singer CeCe Wayans.

The women in the top 12 sang a tune of Katy's hits while Katy ate pizza and clips of her time on the show played in the background. Katy climbed up onto the judges' desk when they were done.

Will performed her new single Good Look Bad.

"You've come a long way," Lionel said.

"The ball is in your court," Luke said.

Platinum ticket winner Abi closed the show singing her new single This Is'n't Over.

Abi began to cry and the crowd chanted her name when she finished.

Katy also had tears in her eyes as her last show came to an end while she was between Lionel and Luke.

The singer, whose real name Katheryn Hudson, joined American Idol for its 2018 reboot when the singing competition moved from its original home on Fox to ABC.

Katy has a three-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove, with her fiancé Orlando Bloom, 47.

Orlando and Daisy were in the audience at Disney Night last week where Katy dressed as Cinderella.