It was a bittersweet night for American Idol fans as a new champion stepped up while an old dawg bowed out. Candice Glover became the 12th American Idol last night after your votes helped propel her past challenger Kree Harrison. As Glover helped usher in a new era of Idol, original judge Randy Jackson bid adieu to the show and its fans choosing to focus more on his record label and other business ventures.
The soulful South Carolinian victoriously performed the new single “I Am Beautiful” after looking stunned to find out the voting results in her favor. Former Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson made a surprise appearance and belted out a rendition of Natalie Cole’s “Inseparable” alongside Glover.
Other notable performances were done by Gangnam Stylist Psy, Frankie Valli, Emeli Sande, Jessie J, and my homegirl Aretha Franklin. Current judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, and Keith Urban also performed with Jackson slapping da bass.
Check out the highlights from last night’s American Idol season 12 finale:
Runner up and Southern powerhouse Kree Harrison, the 22-year-old country singer and native Texan, sang Sarah McLaughlan’s “Angel,” Patty Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain” and potential future single “All Cried Out.”
The winner of Idol traditionally lands a major record deal but that doesn’t always translate into a successful career. Fourth season winner Carrie Underwood and inaugural winner Kelly Clarkson are often considered the most successful champs along with Hudson who also won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in the film Dreamgirls. Other than redundantly named Phillip Phillips, whose single Home was terribly overplayed during the 2012 summer Olympics last year, the success for Idol winners, finalists, and contestants has been rather scare.
Who out there is surprised by Glover’s victory over Harrison? Is anyone sad by Randy Jackson’s departure? Did you really watch American Idol over the Bruins overtime win last night? Is it weird that Phillip Phillips has two first names? Let us know all of your idle thoughts on Idol in the comments section below.
