Preparations are in full swing for Thursday night’s American Idol grand finale at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre where, following Wednesday’s showdown between Kree Harrison and Candice Glover, the entire audience was loaded out and a new one brought in for a pre-tape of Mariah Carey’s performance.
On deck for the diva, who’ll be joined by exiting judge and longtime collaborator Randy Jackson on bass and a full gospel choir: a medley of her greatest hits, including “Vision of Love,” “Make It Happen,” “We Belong Together,” “My All,” “Hero” and, of course, her new single “#Beautiful.”
According to audience member Ashley Tucker, Carey was dressed in a white mermaid-like gown with feathers adorning the bottom. “She looked like a princess,” the 23-year-old told The Hollywood Reporter, adding that Carey couldn’t take her eyes off a fan’s lamb poster. “Mariah was singing while she was getting her hair fixed and was really cool with the audience,” said Tucker, herself a massive fan of the singer.
And Mariah Carey is not the only judge who’ll be performing a new song on the show. Keith Urban revealed to reporters on Wednesday night that he’s set to take the stage with his latest single, “Little Bit of Everything.”
“It’s a song I came upon and I loved the feeling of it,” said Urban, who added that he would be thrilled to return to Idol as a judge next year.
Also set to appear on the finale is South Korean sensation Psy, who’ll be performing the song “Gentleman.” As previously reported, duets will include Adam Lambert with Angie Miller, Janelle Arthur with The Band Perry and Franki Valli with the season 12 guys. Former Idol judge Jennifer Lopez will also perform ‘Live it Up’ with Pitbull. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmAW1h7j9CM&list=FL7uwQT22H7Ey25nZPqBUAVQ
Some portions of the show are still coming together, even at the 11th hour. Candice Glover’s duet partner, for example, is still TBD, although much rumored to be Jennifer Hudson. It also looks like Emeli Sande will be singing with finalist Amber Holcomb.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-finale-mariah-carey-523528
Finale Performances
AI12 Top 5 Males - “Glad You Came” by The Wanted
AI12 Top 5 Males & Frankie Valli - “Sherry/Walk Like A Man/Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You/You’re The Apple Of My Eye/Decemer, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)” (Medley)
AI12 Top 5 Females & “Aretha Franklin” - Medley
AI12 Winner - Coronation Single
Amber Holcomb & Emeli Sandé - “Next To Me”
Angela Miller & Adam Lambert - “Titanium” by David Guetta & Sia
Angela Miller & Jessie J. - “Domino”
Candice Glover & Jennifer Hudson - “Inseparable” by Natalie Cole
Janelle Arthur & The Band Perry - TBD
Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull - “Live It Up”
Keith Urban - “Little Bit Of Everything”
Kree Harrison & Keith Urban - “Where The Blacktop Ends”
Mariah Carey & Randy Jackson - “Vision Of Love/Make It Happen/Hero/My All/We Belong Together/Beautiful” (Medley)
Psy - “Gentleman”
SOunds like tonights program will be 100 minutes of schlock, 19 minutes of commercials, and one minute of what we tuned in to see......all in all a fitting ending to a crap sandwich of a season. BUT with that being said.....I would not give up these evenings of Snarking with FRiends for all the moneu Obammy and the IRS can steal from me! :-)
LOL, that's what that ensemble needs--a bass player.
The Band Perry. Are the brothers named Tomax and Xamot?