It was the kind of television moment that felt scripted by a Hollywood screenwriter. On the season 16 finale of American Idol in 2018, just seconds before the winner was announced, the world found out that the top two contestants—Maddie Poppe and Caleb Lee Hutchinson—weren't just competitors. They were in love.
Ryan Seacrest dropped the bombshell, the crowd gasped, and the two sang a duet of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." It was peak reality TV. Maddie won the title, Caleb won the runner-up slot, and they both walked away with a relationship that fans obsessed over for years.
But if you’ve been scrolling through Instagram lately looking for their goofy updates or joint tour photos, you’ve probably noticed a massive, quiet void.
The Breakup No One Saw Coming (But Everyone Suspected)
For a long time, these two were the poster children for "Idol success stories." They moved to Nashville. They toured together. They even starred in each other's music videos—like the 2022 cinematic piece for Maddie’s "One That Got Away" where Caleb played a detective.
Then, the digital trail went cold.
Fans aren't stupid. We notice when the "Happy Birthday" posts stop. We notice when the grid gets scrubbed. By late 2022, rumors were swirling like crazy because they stopped appearing in each other's social media feeds. Maddie eventually broke the silence during a radio interview with Iowa station KWAY in early 2023.
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She was promoting her single "Screw You a Little Bit." People naturally assumed it was a diss track aimed at Caleb. Maddie was quick to shut that down. She confirmed the song was about a breakup, but explicitly stated it wasn't about him. In fact, she said she had "nothing but love and respect" for Caleb.
Honestly, it was a class act. Most public splits involve some level of "messy," but they kept it remarkably dignified.
Who is Maddie Poppe dating now?
The final nail in the "Maddie and Caleb" coffin came in July 2023. Maddie posted a simple, cozy Polaroid on Instagram with the caption "Happy." The guy in the photo wasn't Caleb.
It was Gabe Burdulis, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter and guitarist. Gabe is a heavy hitter in the indie-country circuit, having toured with artists like Brittney Spencer and Maren Morris. Since that post, they’ve been pretty public about their relationship, appearing in various tour vlogs and photos together.
It’s clear she’s moved on, and while it broke a few Idol hearts, life happens. Especially when you start dating at 19 under the glare of national television.
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Where is Caleb Lee Hutchinson today?
While Maddie has been leaning into a more indie-pop/singer-songwriter vibe, Caleb has stayed true to his deep-country roots. He’s been busy. Very busy.
Caleb has been grinding in the Nashville scene, releasing EPs like Slot Machine Syndrome and Southern Gothic. He’s matured a lot from the teenager we saw on stage. His voice has gotten deeper, his songwriting grittier, and he’s clearly focused on being taken seriously as a songwriter rather than just a reality TV alum.
As for his romantic life? Caleb is way more private than Maddie. He hasn't gone "Instagram official" with anyone new in the same way. He seems to be pouring most of his energy into his road shows and his podcast, The Caleb Lee Hutchinson Show, where he talks about everything from music to life in the South.
Why the Maddie Poppe and Caleb Lee Hutchinson split matters
Look, people get invested in these couples because they watched the "first date" on live TV. It felt authentic. In an era of manufactured reality drama, their bond seemed like the only real thing on the screen.
But let’s be real for a second.
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They were teenagers. They were thrust into a high-pressure industry together. Long-distance, conflicting tour schedules, and the pressure of being "The Idol Couple" is a lot for any relationship to handle. Maddie once told People that being in the same industry was a double-edged sword—sometimes one person is having a peak while the other is having a meltdown. That’s a tough dynamic to balance for five years.
What we can learn from their journey
If you're still mourning the end of this era, don't. Both artists are arguably making the best music of their careers right now.
- Growth isn't linear. Just because a relationship ends doesn't mean it was a failure. They supported each other through the most transformative years of their lives.
- Privacy is a choice. You don't owe the internet an explanation for your personal life. They both handled the transition away from each other with zero public drama, which is rare in 2026.
- Follow the music. If you liked them as a couple, you'll probably love their solo work even more because it's more personal now.
If you want to keep up with them, skip the old fan pages. Go check out Maddie’s latest singles if you want that clever, Iowa-spun lyricism. If you want deep, baritone country that feels like a throwback to the greats, Caleb’s your guy. They might not be singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" together anymore, but they’re both still finding their own versions of it.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Maddie Poppe’s latest tour dates; she’s been playing smaller, intimate venues that really showcase her growth.
- Give Caleb Lee Hutchinson’s Southern Gothic a listen—it’s a massive departure from his Idol covers and shows who he really is as an artist.
- Stop commenting "Where's Caleb?" on Maddie's posts with Gabe. It's been years. Let the girl live.