The FOX competition series crowned its first winner on Thursday night -- and the judge and host Fergie told ET they’ll be back next season.
The Four: Battle For Stardom has crowned its first winner.
The four competitors remaining in the FOX competition series on Thursday night were Evvie McKinney, Vincint Cannady, Candice Boyd and Zhavia, and it came down to just McKinney and Boyd -- but there was a whole lot of tension before one of their names was called!
Drawing out the anticipation, Sean "Diddy" Combs -- one of the judges alongside DJ Khaled, Meghan Trainor and Charlie Walk, though the latter was absent from the finale -- walked around the final two, waving around the trophy the champion would receive while explaining the qualities seen in the eventual winner.
"The vulnerability, the rawness, the feeling. But it really came down to this unexplainable desire, the willingness to do whatever it took to entertain people," he said. "They both did a great job, but I really feel that we found something special that I haven't seen in a long time."
He then declared McKinney the winner, and the Memphis native promptly broke down upon being crowned champion.
"I just thank God for this moment, because I've wanted it for so long," she said.
Walk's absence was only briefly mentioned by host Fergie on the finale. The music executive left the show amid a sexual harassment allegation by Life Lab founder Tristan Coopersmith. Though he denied the accusation, Walk left The Four to avoid becoming "a distraction."
ET's Katie Krause caught up with McKinney and Khaled at Delilah in West Hollywood after the show, and the producer couldn't help but gush over the winner.
"It's about the new star being born. She deserved to win. She fought for her life. I'm excited to work with her," Khaled said. I was watching the show today -- I got goosebumps. Besides being on the show, when I was watching it, I was like, 'Man, not only did she win, she really won. And it felt good."
McKinney couldn't help but blush while standing next to Khaled as she said so many nice things about her.
"I feel honored because he's DJ Khaled... and honestly, I wake up and I feel like I live for moments like this and the fact that it's happening at the age of 20, it's like God just really made a way for me and there ain't no way I can fight against his will," she said.
Diddy then jumped into the interview and reiterated his fellow judge's sentiments. "I think she's the total package and I'm going to push her to greatness, and Khaled is going to push her to greatness."
It was also announced on Thursday that the show would return for a second season, with Fergie, Diddy, Khaled and Trainor all telling ET on the finale press line that they would be back for it.
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