We have a winner! Chayce Beckham was crowned the winner of season 19 of ‘American Idol’ during the show’s finale on May 23.
It’s finale time on American Idol! The show’s season 19 finale aired live on May 23, and Chayce Beckham received the most viewer votes to be named the winner. He beat out fellow finalists, Grace Kinstler, who came in third place, and Willie Spence, who was this season’s runner up. After his incredible victory, here’s more to know about Chayce.
1. Chayce Came To ‘Idol’ After A Dark Time
The year before Chayce auditioned for American Idol was not easy. “I’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs,” he said during his audition. “It’s been quite the roller coaster. My whole life kind of flipped upside down and I moved back home with my parents.” Although Chayce didn’t specify what happened, his mom got emotional while talking further about the situation. “He was on a dark path for a little while with drinking and his self worth and whether or not she was good enough,” she explained. “He went through some really hard times.”
2. Chayce Was In A Band
Before starting to sing on his own, Chayce was in a band that sang reggae music. He’s brought quite a different sound to American Idol, though, right from his audition, where he sang “What Brings Life Also Kills” by Kolton Moore and the Clever Few. “I just started playing on my acoustic guitar and posted to my Instagram singing my own songs that I didn’t want to take to the band — stuff that I felt was kind of out of place, but I still enjoyed playing it,” Chayce explained. “That’s what got me here. I just started doing my own thing.”
3. Chayce Works As A Heavy Machinery Operator
Chayce gave fans a glimpse into his work during his American Idol audition. “I’ve been working for this company going on three years,” he said. “We rent out pretty much everything that has to do with construction. I kind of get to live out every little kid’s dream. I get to play with giant Tonka trucks all day!” Footage showed him operating one of the machines, as well.
4. Chayce Is Extremely Close With His Family
Chayce credits his family and music with getting him through his darkest times. “I got pushed a lot by my parents and family [to be on American Idol],” he admitted. “They’ve been pushing me to do this stuff.” He added, “Without my family, I definitely wouldn’t be doing this. I told my mom the other day, ‘I owe you guys big time,’ and she said, ‘You don’t owe us anything, that’s what family’s for.’” Chayce also said that music was “always there” for him when “everything else was bad” in his life. “It would kind of keep me grounded at all times,” he revealed. “For me, it’s everything.”
5. Chayce Is Also A Songwriter
In addition to being able to sing and play guitar, Chayce is also a songwriter who writes his own music. Although he’s been singing covers on American Idol, his songwriting skills are often showcased on his social media.