Abi Carter drops to the stage, overcome with emotion after winning American Idol Season 22 Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter was 19 and working as a gymnastics instructor at the Indio Rec Center when she decided it was time.
Time to pursue music, that is.
So she approached her boss and explained her desire to invest her energy in what she was passionate about. The boss was supportive. Abi quit her job.
Then she started busking on the street, hoping to become a performer at restaurants in the area.
“Performing at the street fair helped me to do that,” she said in an interview on her recent return home from American Idol. “There were owners of restaurants that saw me and were like, ‘We want you to work at our restaurant.’
“To me, that was like, ‘I win. I’ve done it. I’ve become a musician. And I’m an artist now. And I can do music and get paid for it.'”
Little did 19-year-old Abi know a much bigger win was in her future.
It came Sunday night, when Abi was crowned the Season 22 American Idol at the end of a three-hour season finale with fellow finalists Will Moseley and Jack Blocker.
In the process, Abi became the show’s first platinum ticket recipient to triumph.
Idol began handing out platinum tickets to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2022. The ticket allows three top contestants to skip the first round of the competition in Hollywood Week.
That meant Abi was a favorite on the show from the moment her audition aired. But her breakthrough moment didn’t occur until months later, on Top 8 night, when the judges picked songs for contestants to sing.
Luke Bryan suggested the Evanescence rocker “Bring Me to Life” for Abi.
Abi decided to try it, though it meant the young woman who describes herself as “just a girl and her piano” on Instagram would have to step away from the piano.
Abi wound up turning it into an Idol moment, not only one of the top performances that night, but one of the top performances of Season 22.
Her message to fans: “I thought I would be behind the piano forever, and even though I love it there, I can’t tell you how amazing it has been to learn that I can do more than I thought.
“Please take this as a PSA that your dreams are SO achievable. Live your life doing what you love, it’s just too short not to.”
Here’s Abi’s winning night on American Idol in photos.
WIll Moseley, Abi Carter and Jack Blocker perform with Jon Bon Jovi in the opening performance on American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter sings ‘Bed of Roses’ during the Bon Jovi round on American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter gets emotional as the crowd chants her name following the opening round of American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter sings ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story during the second round on American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter reacts to Ryan Seacrest’s plea for votes for the Top 3 Sunday night on American Idol. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter performing with Bishop Briggs on the American Idol finale Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter and Bishop Briggs embrace after performing together on American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter and WIll Moseley embrace before the final set of performances on American idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter sings her new single, ‘This Isn’t Over’, in the final round of competition Sunday night on American Idol (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter wipes away a tear as the crowd chants her name for a third time Sunday night on American Idol. (ABC Photo)
Will Moseley and Abi Carter enjoy a laugh after Will tries to peek at the results card on American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter reacts to hearing her name announced as the winner of American Idol. (ABC Photo)
Runner-up Will Moseley helps celebrate Abi Carter’s victory on American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter reacts as the stage lights up to celebrate her victory on American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Ryan Seacrest presents Abi Carter as the new winner of American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter sings her audition song, ‘What I Was Made For’ after being named winner of American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter is rushed by fellow contestants congratulating her on her win while Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie embrace Katy Perry on her final episode as an American Idol judge Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
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4 Comments
I loved this show but wished that Will Mosley would have won.
They were all sweet finalists, however in our opinion after watching Idol since the outset, Abi was most deserving and will do great things!! Congrats young lady!!
Abi came in and ripped through everything. What a beautiful soul she has. I wish her the best of eveything and forever happiness doing what she loves! Way to go Abi!!
I use to watch AI every year, but it has been few years. There were so many talented singers this season! Some gone too soon. Abi truly deserves this accomplishment. I believe some of the others will do well as a result of their exposure! Will is already on to great things!! Wish them all the best!