Who Are American Idol's Final Top 3 and Who Could Win?

Find out whether Mackenzie Bourg, Dalton Rapattoni, Trent Harmon or La’Porsha Renae made the cut

By Jean Bentley Apr 01, 2016 2:55 AMTags
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Despite some questionable eliminations in the early rounds, American Idol's fifteenth season has given fans one of the strongest top four in recent Idol history. So it was nice to see all four talented singers—Mackenzie Bourg, Dalton Rapattoni, Trent Harmon and La'Porsha Renae—get the hometown visit treatment: parades, home-cooked meals and all.

And it's no coincidence that the songs they each dedicated to said hometowns in the first round were some of their best performances of the season. Mackenzie sang the done-a-million-times "Hallelujah," but it was still great. Dalton picked "Calling You," by Blue October, a band from North Texas (like him). Trent put a beautiful spin on the classic "Tennesee Whiskey," and La'Porsha didn't hold back on the Oscar-winning song "Glory." It's a shame the farewell tour has been so brief but here we are, the American Idol series finale a week away.

After the first hour, intrepid leader Ryan Seacrest sent the fourth-place finisher home. It could've been anyone, but when it came down to Mackenzie and La'Porsha at risk, he knew it would be La'Porsha moving on so confidently that he offered to read the results for Ryan. He was right, but went out on a very gracious high note.

That left the final three to compete, and while they each had a so-so song and a great song, it seems quite clear that one of them is lagging behind.

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Who could come in third: Dalton Rappatoni

The 19-year-old Texan, as Harry Connick Jr. said, is not as good a singer as the other two people in the competition. Period. But his rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing In the Dark" was a great fit (surprisingly, since to this New Jersey native a pop-punk version sounds like sacrilege!). The Tears for Fears "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" cover, on the other hand, was a little off (as Jennifer Lopez noted).

Who should battle for the title: La'Porsha Renae and Trent Harmon

La'Porsha's been a frontrunner since her audition, and her cover of Adele's "Hello," which took her to the lower end of her range, proved why. Her "Stay With Me" by Lorraine Ellison cover wasn't her best, which was understandable when she revealed in her interview how much she disliked the song.

Trent is clearly following in the Chris Stapleton soul-country mold, which is a great lane for him to find himself in. His cover of Justin Timberlake's "Drink You Away" (which the pop star performed at the Grammys with—you guessed it!—Stapleton) was slightly messy, but his rendition of Parson James' "Waiting Game" (the judges' pick) was perfect.  All the proof you need: Jennifer's goosies!

There's no doubt those two should make the final two—and should make for an incredible finale performance show.

A special shoutout goes to Ryan for getting emotional—though managing not to cry—as he closed out the show's last-ever broadcast from CBS Television City.

Catch next week's Idol celebration with a special honoring the show's legacy on Tuesday, the performance show on Wednesday and the sure-to-be-massive results show on Thursday, all at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Watch: Past "American Idol" Winners Play "Favorites" - Part 2