Clay Aiken’s interpretation of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” remains the best “Idol” finale performance of all-time! (Photo property of FOX)
By: Jacob Elyachar
Tonight, either Candice Glover or Kree Harrison will walk away as the winner of American Idol: Season 12.
Before Ryan reads the highly anticipated results and the show pays tribute to outgoing original judge Randy Jackson, here are 12 of the greatest moments that rocked the finale stage of the long-running FOX singing competition.
Kelly Clarkson: “A Moment Like This” (Season One)
This was the moment that changed Reality T.V. forever as Kelly Clarkson performed her coronation song as the very first American Idol. Fighting back tears, she gave a great vocal and thanked the fans and fellow competitors throughout this special moment.
Clay Aiken: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (Season Two)
The eventual Season Two runner-up delivered the best vocal performance in the history of Reality T.V. Clay Aiken’s cover of the Simon and Garfunkel classic showed spunk, impeccable vocal gymnastics and received a standing ovation from Randy, former judge Paula Abdul and the entire audience.
There was not a dry eye in the house when Fantasia won “Idol’s” third season (Photo property of FOX)
Fantasia: “I Believe” (Season Three)
In a season full of divas, the powerful R&B superstar was the last diva standing and successfully delivered her coronation song that continues to be one of the most memorable moments in of the Randy-Paula-Simon era.
Carrie Underwood: “Inside Your Heaven” (Season Four)
During the fourth season’s Top 11 week, former judge Simon Cowell foreshadowed that the Oklahoma native would not only win her season, but will outsell any of the previous winners. Nine weeks later, Simon was right as Ryan announced that Carrie won Season Four. As viewers saw Carrie fight back tears as she sang “Inside Your Heaven,” little did they know that she would stand at the top of the charts and be the number one American Idol alum in album sales.
Elliott and Mary J. Blige’s duet at the 2006 finale remains one of the best duets in “Idol” finale history. (Photo property of FOX)
Elliot Yamin & Mary J. Blige: “One” (Season Five)
The Season Five third place finisher set the standard when it came to performing with superstar musical guests. His duet with Grammy-winning superstar Mary J. Blige was the highlight of the night because their voices blended well together and they made U2 proud.
David Archuleta: “Imagine” (Season Seven)
David made a strategic move and reprised his outstanding cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine” that made him the year’s biggest teen heartthrob and the guy every girl wanted to date. Unfortunately, a certain other David won the competition and started a streak that (finally) ended this season.
The American Idol Season Seven Girls & Donna Summer (Season Seven)
Season Seven’s Top Six girls joined forces with the late Queen of Disco in a medley that featured several of Summer’s classics and her single: “Stamp Your Feet.” Of all the performers that collaborated with the contestants in groups, Donna treated the girls as equals and shared a moment with Syesha Mercado that she would never forget.
Adam Lambert: “A Change is Gonna Come” (Season Eight)
Idol creator Simon Fuller chose soul legend Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” for Season Eight’s runner-up to sing. While it was full of Adam’s signature vocal licks, this performance started a conversation about equality around the world that we desperately needed to have.
Former “Idol” winners and multiple finalists paid tribute to Simon Cowell during the ninth season finale. (Photo property of FOX)
The Idols & the Alums: “Together We Are One” (Season Nine)
When Simon Cowell announced he was leaving the judges’ panel after nine seasons, Idol producers brought back seven of its’ winners and most memorable alums to pay tribute to the man, who put the show on the map. A majority of Idol’s viewers considered this tribute, the end of Idol’s nine-year dominance in the ratings.
Haley Reinhart & Tony Bennett: “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” (Season 10)
One of the show’s best girls in the post-Saula era teamed up with the music industry’s elder statesman to deliver a rousing and crowd-pleasing cover of the Irving Berlin standard.
Steven Tyler: “Dream On” (Season 10)
The Aerosmith front man and former Idol judge delivered an outstanding cover of his signature song during the Season 10 finale. His performance of “Dream On” also threw down the gauntlet to other singing-based Reality T.V. show’s judges to see if they could match his performance.
Jessica Sanchez and Jennifer Holliday’s show-stopping duet of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” was one of “American Idol’s” greatest moments. (Photo by Getty Images’ Mark Davis)
Jessica Sanchez & Jennifer Holliday: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” (Season 11)
It was a diva team-up as Season 12’s golden girl teamed up with Grammy and Tony-winning singer to deliver the best contestant-superstar duet, this show has ever seen!
