by Todd Betzold

 

Pull up a chair...it's the finale results show on American Idol...performance after performance after performance before we finally get the results we all want to hear...who the winner of Season 11 of Idol is!

 

The show gets kicked off with a performance by the Top 12, minus Phillip and Jessica, along with some funky dancers showing off their moves. Ryan Seacrest joins us and announces that a record 132 million people voted for these two...your finalists...Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez.

 

Phillip takes the stage with John Fogerty from CCR singing their hit, "Have You Ever Seen The Rain." A good duo and we could be looking at Phillip as he ages. Phillip tries to shyly announce they will also be singing "Bad Moon Rising" from CCR as well...he is a little awkward in front of the crowd.

 

After a look back at some funny moments with the judges from the season, Joshua Ledet comes back, singing the Elton John hit, "Take Me To The Pilot." A little into the song, Joshua is joined by his biggest inspiration, Fantasia. Let me tell you, this was a lot of screaming and Fantasia looked absolutely horrendous...she had the big, long weave in and I think she split the sides of her pants on the way out to the stage.

 

We get a look at Jimmy Iovine's inability to call Jennifer Lopez by her name, Jennifer...instead, he called her Jessica all the time...apparently his daughter's name. Then the girls of the Top 12 take the stage and are eventually joined by Chaka Khan and at 59 years old, she looked better than Fantasia...work it girl!

 

Next up, we get a look at the mentors in the life of Phillip and Jessica, who got tickets to the finale from their mentees...they then surprise the mentors with free Ford cars...then Phillip and Jessica get their own car! After that, Rihanna takes the stage to perform her latest single, "Where Have You Been."

 

Skylar Laine hits the stage singing Reba's hit, "Turn On The Radio." Of course, she is joined on the stage by Reba herself...so cool to see. I love Skylar and Rena is amazingly beautiful...work it girls. We then take a look through Steven Tyler's house...why? To waste time! Jessica hits the stage again, as we relive an amazing moment from the season...she sings Whitney's "I Will Always Love You." Such an amazing song and voice.

 

The guys from the Top 12 hit the stage...joining them on stage is Neil Diamond...how did he make it on here tonight? You know who was missing from this...Phillip. I guess he is too sick to join them...get the surgery Phillip!

 

After a hilarious look at the Top 12 singing the phone book, in honor of Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez takes the stage for her performance...didn't we just see her perform a week or two ago??? She is joined on the stage by Lil' John and Wisin y Yandel...a fun performance, of course.

 

To waste more time (and to try to be cute), contestants from the past, Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young make their way to the stage, where Ace proposes to her...of course she says yes. Hollie Cavanagh takes the stage singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" and she is joined by Jordin Sparks...a very beautiful song and Jordin is looking good.

 

To pay respect for Robin Gibb, who passed away over the weekend, the Top 12 guys (minus Phillip) sing a medley of Bee Gee songs...very nice. Jessica Sanchez hits the stage again and this time with Jennifer Holliday, as they sing "And I'm Telling You (I'm Not Going)." This was absolutely amazing...such a powerful performance and how awesome for Jessica to be able to sing with her.

 

Ryan has been waiting two years to say this...ladies and gentlemen...Aerosmith! They'll always hold a special place in my heart...grew up listening to them! Then, Jessica and Phillip hit the stage together singing "Up Where We Belong" by Joe Cocker and it's blatantly obvious that Phillip is in some pain...it makes me sad to see it...more power to him for powering through this all.

 

Now to the results...again, after 132 million votes and everything they have been through...the winner of Season 11 of American Idol is...Phillip Phillips. He breaks down in tears during his song and goes out and hugs his family...so touching.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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