Candice Glover

Things have been up and down lately for 'American Idol,' as the singing competition is reaching the end of its 13th season. The ratings for one of the more recent episodes reached an all-time low in viewers -- a measly 7 million, while the show’s highest attraction drew in 30 million. Additionally, publicity for one of the finalists hasn’t been too hot either, as contestant Caleb Johnson found himself in a bit of trouble when he called his social media critics “retards” in a video interview with AfterBuzz TV. Either way, the show must go on, and Idol’s two night season finale begins on Tuesday, May 20 as Johnson takes on Jena Irene for the 'American Idol' crown.

“We don’t really care who wins,” Johnson told a group of press outside of Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre on May 19. Irene, on the other hand, stated that win or lose, she wanted to “go out on a good note.” Irene may have the better philosophy here, because as 'American Idol' grows older and older, it raises the question: does anyone really care who wins 'American Idol' anymore?

Caleb Johnson is one of American Idol's season 13 finalists

Continue reading: American Idol Hopes To Revive Itself After Season 13

American Idol's 13th season could be held in New York City, if there's any truth to the rumours currently flying around. The upcoming new season of the singing talent contest is preparing for launch but has beefed up its usual format and streamlined its panel of judges.

Season 12's Contestants Before They Were Whittled Away.

Apparently, plans are in place to have the final contestants battle it out on stage at the city's prestigious Madison Square Gardens in front of a giant arena audience of 8,000, according to THR. De-camping from L.A to NYC would represent a major move for the show, which has seen a decline in ratings to rival show The Voice in recent years.

Continue reading: American Idol Finale To Be Held In New York? New Season Prepares For Lift-Off

Err, shooting into first place for the most awkward piece of television for 2013, it's Aretha Franklin telling everyone who won American Idolseason twelve before the result was officially announced! Appearing via satellite from New York for the season finale of Idol - which pitted Kree Harrison versus Candice Glover - Franklin appeared to spoil the result, saying, "Candice, you're a winner," from a huge screen in the Nokia Theater.

The audience were confused - had Aretha just told everyone who had won? Candice fans cheered, Kree fans fell silent. After an excruciating pause, the Queen of Soul added, "Win or lose - you're a winner," - which makes absolutely no sense to anyone.

The whole car-crash led host Ryan Seacrest to nervously ask Franklin whether she had the results. "I do," Franklin answered, "but I won't tell you." But she did tell everyone. She told everyone that Candice Glover had won. Which is actually what she went on to do.

Continue reading: Awkward: Did Aretha Franklin Already Know The 'American Idol' Result?

Well, after months of intense competition and emotions – both from the contestants and the judging panel – American Idol finally has its winner. It came down to Candice Glover and Kree Harrison and in the end Candice won out the audience’s affection. Of course, those producers weren’t keeping still and in record time, Glover already has her debut album out for iTunes pre-order and the record is expected to drop July 16. So far the songstress has only recorded one track, her coronation song “I Am Beautiful.” And with recording for the album in full swing, as well as the American Idol Live tour coming up, Candice has quite a lot on her plate. But that’s the life of a pop star, after all. For the moment though, she’s taking some time to just soak it in and bask in the glory. This is Glover’s third try on Idol, meaning she won it the hard way – hard, if you don’t compare it to the struggling musicians of Ye Olde Days, of course.

"I went through the first two years and getting eliminated and coming back," she recalled. "[I'd be] telling my parents, 'If I could just get to top 20, if I could just get to top 10, if I could just get my voice out there and get some voters and get a fanbase, then I'll be fine. I don't have to win.' And then I came and I won. I can't even tell you how I feel to say that. I don't know. I'm losing it."

In an interview with MTV, Glover gushed about her victory and the direction she hopes to take with her music: "Definitely some different things than what I've been doing on the show and some stuff that will get my fanbase to know the type of singer I'm actually going to be."

Continue reading: Candice Glover Won American Idol, Now What?

Candice Glover and Kree Harrison squared off in an all-female American Idol final on Wednesday (May 15, 2013) with Ryan Seacrest proclaiming the night to be country versus soul. On one side, there's the gleaming country balladry of Harrison, against the wide-ranging soul of Glover. 

Both competitors brought their A-game, though Glover appeared to edge it. In the first sing-off, she sang Adele's 'Chasing Pavements,' while Harrison opted for the all-too obvious Angel. In the next round, Harrison opted for 'All Cried Out' while Glover went for 'I Am Beautiful' which Billboard said was, "perfectly expressed the kind of music Glover could be doing in a few months, highlighting her strong R&B tendencies with an empowering chorus that dispels all detractors." In the third and final sing-off, both performers were asked to choose their favourite song of the season, with Kree choosing 'Up To The Mountain' - which she first sang in the Hollywood round - and Candice choosing the Tom Jones track 'I (Who Have Nothing).

"The dramatic intensity was in full force, a lone timpani accompanying Glover as she actually topped her earlier version of the song (which was a tall, tall order), with some of the runs and held notes absolutely blowing the doors off the Nokia Theater. Absolutely killer," said Billboard.

Continue reading: So, Candice Glover Just Won American Idol, Right?