Last Wednesday night, American Idol closed out their 12th season with variety of special musical guests. All leading up to the crowning of their season 12 winner, Candice Glover. She is the first Female winner since Jordan Sparks won in Season 6.

Glover’s emotions were in overdrive when her name was announced. She cried and screamed happily with friends and family gathered around her to celebrate this victory. “Three years!” She exclaimed into the microphone, for she had tried out for Idol three times before.

Idol did a good job of leading up the the final minutes. Star after star performance light up the Idol stage.

The show opened with group number featuring the Top 10 contestants singing The Wanted’s “Glad You Came” to an audience filled with past Idol winners and contestants, adn the fans. The first to special guest(s) to hit the stage was The Band Perry, who sang with Top 5 contestant, Janelle Arthur, singing their song “Done”.

Shortly after a few clips from the season, The Top 5 boys took the stage and sang a medley with surprise guest Frankie Valli.

Mariah Carey finally took to Idol stage to sing a medley of hits, including her current single “Beautiful.”

And the stars kept on coming.  Emeli Sande joined 4th runner-up Amber Holcomb to sing her hit “Next To Me”. And  Making her Idol come back, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson showed up to sing “Inseparable” with  the net yet crowed winner Candice Glover.

Angie Miller, third runner up, sang “Titanium” with Adam Lambert and then did a surprise duet with Jessie J. J then invited Miller to appear with her on tour in the UK, making Miller ecstatic.

To end the performances, The Top 5 girls also did a medley with Aretha Franklin via satellite, do to Franklin’s fear of flying. Just to top it off,  last years judge Jennifer Lopez returned to Idol to preform her new Single with Pitbull at her side.

With such weak ratings this season, the Idol masterminds behind the scenes sure know how to go out with a bang.

American Idol returns for Season 13 in January 2014.