What to Expect from the American Idol Series Finale

04/07/2016 mj santilli American Idol, American Idol 15 267

We’ve had a TON of spoilery bits come our way regarding the American Idol series finale, thanks to photos and videos from the show and alums set to participate. Here’s where we attempt to gather all that information in one handy dandy list. I’ll bullet and link where appropriate!

Former American Idol producer, Nigel Lythgoe, has returned to co-produce the big send off and is responsible for all American alum goodness!

  • Tons of American Idol alums are in town. Some are participating in the performances, some will only appear on stage, others will sit in the audience, or just dropped by for press and to say hi before they headed off to other commitments.
  • Winners from all 15 seasons will be on stage live, except for OG Idol, Kelly Clarkson, who taped a performance weeks ago.
  • Set to Perform: Jordin Sparks (S6 winner), Tamyra Gray (S1) Justin Guarini (S1 runnerup), Kimberly Locke (S2), Caleb Johnson (S4), James Durbin (S10), Chris Daughtry (S5), Constantine Maroulis (S4), Blake Lewis (S6 runnerup), Sanjaya Malakar (S6), Scotty McCreery (S10 winner), Nick Fradiani (S14 winner), Lee DeWyze (S9 winner), Casey James (S9), Ace Young (S5), Diana DeGarmo (S3 runnerup), Bucky Covington (S5), Melinda Doolittle (S6), Kellie Pickler (S5), George Huff (S3), Joshua Ledet (S11), Clark Beckham (S14 runnerup), Kree Harrison, (S12 runnerup) Pia Toscano (S10), Carly Smithson (S7), Brandon Rogers (S6), Mikala Gordon (S4), Candice Glover S12 winner), Phillip Phillips (S11), Jessica Sanchez (S11 runnerup), Taylor Hicks (S5 winner), David Cook (S7 winner), Kris Allen (S8 winner), Allison Iraheta (S8), Amber Holcomb (S12), Fantasia (S3 winner), Jennifer Hudson (S3), LaToya London (S3), Danny Gokey (S8) ( Elliott Yamin (S5), Lauren Alaina (S11 runnerup), Ruben Studdard (S2 winner), Clay Aiken (S2 runnerup), Bo Bice (S4 runnerup), Carrie Underwood (S4 winner) are set to perform
  • David Archuleta (S7 runnerup) will be on stage at some point, but won’t actually perform.  Nigel wanted him to perform “Imagine” but turned him down. However, he contacted the show two days ago, agreeing to be in the opening number. It’s not clear if Jasmine Trias (S3) will perform. Jason Castro (S7), Anthony Fedorov (S4), Vonzell Solomon (S4), Nadia Turner (S4), Haley Reinhart (S10), Paul McDonald (S10), Naima Adedapo (S9) are around, but are not set to perform.  Adam Lambert (S8 runnerup) is in Toronto shooting Rocky Horror for FOX and is unavailable. Josh Gracin (S2) was listed among the original participants, but bowed out due to a family bereavement, according to Nigel.
  • There will be medleys categorized by genre. A soul medley featuring George Huff, Joshua Ledet, Melinda Doolittle, Clark Beckham and more will feature songs like “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” There’s a Pop medley featuring Allison Iraheta and more. A Rock medley with Caleb Johnson, Chris Daughtry and Constantine Maroulis (“Tobacco Road” can be heard in a clip), and a Country medley with Scotty McCreery, Bucky Covington, etc.
  • Nick Fradiani spilled the beans on a White Guys with Guitars David Bowie tribute.  Along with Nick, will be Phillip Phillips, David Cook, Lee DeWyze and Kris Allen.  It was producer Nigel Lythgoe who reached out to Phillip Phillips to participate. He doesn’t care about Phillip’s legal problems with 19. He doesn’t even work for them anymore! After 19 declined to pass along the singer’s number, Nigel contacted his lawyer. How about that.  Nigel thinks a “WGWG tour” would be a hit. “These guys are so good together,” he said.
  • The entire cast of alums will open the show with a performance of “One Voice” by Barry Manilow (previously performed in season 2). Nigel says, “…how wonderful would that be to do a new arrangement where it starts with one person, then the kids who are in the top 2 and the top 3 … until the stage is full of more than 50 American Idols. And it’s chilling.”
  • Keith Urban spills that he’ll perform a “cover” with a mystery guest. “I am doing a song everybody knows with someone that I toured with years ago,” he hinted. “We used to do this song together. It is going to be fun.” Carrie Underwood and Kris Allen have toured with Keith.
  • The season 3 “divas,” Jennifer Hudson, Latoya London, and Fantasia have already taped a performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Jhud had to head back to NYC shortly thereafter to her Broadway show, Color Purple.
  • Jessica Sanchez and Clay Aiken were spotted rehearsing together. Jordin Sparks was snapped singing “No Air with Justin Guarini, Kimberly Locke and Pia Toscano on backgrounds.
  • Original co-host, Brian Dunkleman and season 3 viral sensation, William Hung are back.  Sanjaya’s Crying Girl is in town. No word if she’ll step foot on stage.
  • The original judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell will be in the house. 
  • Solo performers: Fantasia will perform a new song “Ugly.” Carrie Underwood will (probably) sing her new single “Church Bells,” Daughtry will perform their latest “Torches.”  Weeks ago, Kelly Clarkson pre-taped a medley of her biggest hits culminating in an emotional rendition of “A Moment Like This.” Jennifer Hudson pretaped “Remember The Music,” the song she sang on Empire.
  • Jennifer Lopez will perform her new single “Ain’t Your Mama”
  • Of course, the current crop of Idols will perform and a winner–either LaPorsha Renae or Trent Harmon–will be crowned.

American Idol Finale Spoilers: Alums Arrive at Rehearsal (VIDEO)
American Idol Finale Spoilers: Debbie Allen on Board! Photos VIDEOS
American Idol Finale Spoilers – Watch the Alums Rehearse
American Idol Finale Spoilers: David Archuleta Confirmed!

Freemantle Spoils the Groups!

  • Rock: Bo Bice, Caleb Johnson, Chris Daughtry, Constantine Maroulis, James Durbin
  • David Bowie Tribute: David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze,  Nick Fradiani, Phillip Phillips
  • Country: Ace Young, Bucky Covington, Diana DeGarmo, Kellie Pickler, Kree Harrison, Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreery and Skylar Laine.
  • Pop: Allison Iraheta, Colton Dixon, Jordin Sparks, Justin Guarini, Kimberly Locke, Pia, Tamyra Gray
  • Soul: Brandon Rogers, Candice Glover, Blake Lewis, Clark Beckham, Danny Gokey, Elliott Yamin, Fantasia, Melinda Doolittle, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks (?) Joshua Ledet, George Huff
  • Acoustic: Amber Holcomb, Carly Smithson, Casey James, Clay Aiken, Jessica Sanchez, Katharine McPhee (maybe. she hasn’t been spotted yet), Ruben Studdard.
  • ? – Sanjaya Malakar, David Archuleta, Jasmine Trias

Photos!

We really feel comfortable around one another… @kris_allen @davidcookofficial @leedewyzeofficial @nickfradiani

A photo posted by Phillip Phillips (@phillphill) on

Good catching up with old friends. @joshledet @skylar_laine

A photo posted by Phillip Phillips (@phillphill) on

About mj santilli 35128 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!
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