Season 12

**Season 12** of American Idol premiered on January 16, 2013, as part of the mid-season of the 2012–13 network television season, and ended on May 16, 2013.

This season was won by 23-year-old R&B singer Candice Glover.

Three new judges, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, and Keith Urban, signed on to replace Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez who left after two seasons of judging on the show. On May 9, 2013, Randy Jackson announced that this will be his final season as judge due to him wanting to focus on other business ventures.
This season is the third to have four judges, after Season 8 and Season 9. It is also the first season in the show's history where all of one gender's finalists (males) were eliminated before any of the opposite gender's finalists, therefore making it the first to have an all-female Top 5.

This was the first season since season 6 to produce a female winner and the first since season 3 to have a finale consisting of two females.
Season 12 is also the first season where the judges did not use the "Judges' Save" since its introduction in season eight. This is the third season where both finalists were in the bottom three or two at some point in the competition, following seasons 3 and 8.

This season was the lowest-rated in the show's 12-year history.

So far, only two finalists, Candice Glover and Angie Miller, have been signed to record deals.

## Audition cities

The following cities were used for Season 12 auditions. The date of the auditions are also shown.

* **Los Angeles, Calfornia** - *June 7, 2012*
* **San Antonio, Texas** - *June 14, 2012*
* **Newark, New Jersey** - *June 23, 2012*
* **Charlotte, North Carolina** - *June 19, 2012*
* **Chicago, Illinois** - *July 12, 2012*
* **Baton Rouge, Louisiana** - *July 17, 2012*
* **Oklahoma City, Oklahoma** - *July 20, 2012*

### Other auditions

Besides the main auditions, the show decided to give other possible contestants who couldn't make it to the main audition city a chance to try out for the show in different ways such as the "American Idol Small Town Bus Tour", which made stops in towns such as Billings, Montana and Idaho Falls, Idaho among others. Online auditions began, starting on August 1 through August 12, 2012 and continuing from October 12 to November 4, 2012. The show also started a program called "Nominate an Idol", which allowed friends and families of individuals they think should be on the show to nominate said person by filling out an online form and submitting a video of said person singing(solo and acapella are required). The nominated person would then be surprised by a camera crew from the show and be given a chance to advance to the next round.

## Hollywood week

For the first time, this part of the competition was held at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge, California. The 286 contestants who made it to this point were separated by gender with the guys performing the first week and the girls in the second week. The group round was also different due to the producers putting groups together rather then letting the contestants make the choice of which people they wanted to perform with.

At the end of Hollywood week, 40 contestants were chosen for the Las Vegas round.

## Las Vegas

### Sudden Death Round

Unlike season 10 and season 11, the beginning of the Las Vegas rounds were different. Instead of the "Green Mile", the top 40 performed in a "Sudden Death Round" in front of a live audience. After the performances, the judges decided which 10 people to move forward in the semifinals. In the end only 20 moved on, out of the 40 contestants.

#### **Top 20**

The following contestants were American Idol Season 12's **Top 20**.

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**Males**

* **Charlie Askew**
* **Curtis Finch, Jr.**
* **Paul Jolley**
* **Elijah Liu**
* **Devin Velez**
* **Vincent Powell**
* **Lazaro Arbos**
* **Cortez Shaw**
* **Burnell Taylor**
* **Nick Boddington**

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**Females**

* **Kree Harrison**
* **Amber Holcomb**
* **Adriana Latonio**
* **Angie Miller**
* **Tenna Torres**
* **Zoanette Johnson**
* **Aubrey Cleland**
* **Candice Glover**
* **Breanna Steer**
* **Janelle Arthur**

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### Las Vegas Rounds 1 and 2

During these rounds, the top 10 guys and top 10 girls performed. The girls group performing the first day, and the group of guys performing the following day. This time, instead of the judges deciding who moved forward, it was the first time in season 12 where America got to decide who moved forward. In the end, the top 10 contestants were revealed.

## Top 10

The following contestants were Season 12's **Top 10**.
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Females

* Candice Glover
* Kree Harrison
* Angie Miller
* Amber Holcomb
* Janelle Arthur

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 File:Zap-american-idol-season-12-top-10-finalists-2-010.jpeg
Males

* Lazaro Arbos
* Burnell Taylor
* Devin Velez
* Paul Jolley
* Curtis Finch, Jr.

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## Finals

### Top 10 perform

During the first round of the Finals, the Top 10 contestants performed a song from past American Idol winners for a spot in the Top 9. During the results, the semifinalists from each respective gender group will perform their song in the Sing-Off for the spot on the Idol Tour 2013.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Curtis Finch, Jr..png
**Curtis Finch, Jr.** was the eliminated contestant, bringing the total down to 9 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on March 14, 2013.

#### Top 9

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 9**.
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* Candice Glover
* Kree Harrison
* Angie Miller
* Lazaro Arbos
* Amber Holcomb

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* Janelle Arthur
* Burnell Taylor
* Paul Jolley
* Devin Velez *(bottom 2)*

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#### Performances

These contestants performed in the following order:

* Curtis Finch, Jr. - "I Believe" by Fantasia Barrino
* Janelle Arthur - "Gone" by Montgomery Gentry
* Devin Velez - "Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood
* Angie Miller - "I Surrender" by Celine Dion
* Paul Jolley - "Amazed" by Lonestar
* Candice Glover - "I (Who Have Nothing)" by Ben E. King
* Lazaro Arbos - "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson
* Kree Harrison - "Crying" by Roy Orbison
* Burnell Taylor - "Flying Without Wings" by Westlife
* Amber Holcomb - "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson

Group Performance:

* "Shine Your Way" by Owl City and Yuna

### Top 9 perform

During this round of the Finals, the Top 9 contestants performed a song from the Lennon-McCartney Songbook for a spot in the Top 8. Before the start of the performances, Seacrest announces the winner of the Sing-Off for the tour.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Paul Jolley.png
**Paul Jolley** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 8 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on March 21, 2013.

#### Top 8

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 8**.
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* Candice Glover
* Kree Harrison
* Angie Miller
* Lazaro Arbos

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* Amber Holcomb *(bottom 3)*
* Janelle Arthur
* Burnell Taylor
* Devin Velez *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

Every song sang by the contestants in this round were from the Lennon-McCartney Songbook which was produced by The Beatles. These contestants performed in the following order:

* Kree Harrison - "With a Little Help from My Friends"
* Burnell Taylor - "Let It Be"
* Amber Holcomb - "She's Leaving Home"
* Lazaro Arbos - "In My Life"
* Candice Glover - "Come Together"
* Paul Jolley - "Eleanor Rigby"
* Angie Miller - "Yesterday"
* Devin Velez - "The Long and Winding Round"
* Janelle Arthur - "I Will"

Group Performances:

* Males - "Got to Get You Into My Life" by The Beatles
* Females - "Here, There and Everywhere" by The Beatles

### Top 8 perform

During this round of the Finals, the Top 8 contestants performed a song from Motown for a spot in the Top 7.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Devin Velez.png
**Devin Velez** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 7 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on March 28, 2013.

#### Top 7

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 7**.
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* Candice Glover
* Kree Harrison
* Angie Miller
* Lazaro Arbos *(bottom 3)*

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* Amber Holcomb
* Janelle Arthur
* Burnell Taylor *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Candice Glover - "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by The Miracles
* Lazaro Arbos - "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder
* Janelle Arthur - "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes
* Devin Velez - "The Tracks of My Tears" by The Miracles
* Burnell Taylor - "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder
* Angie Miller - "Shop Around" by The Miracles
* Amber Holcomb - "Lately" by Stevie Wonder
* Kree Harrison - "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" by Ben E. King

Extra Performances:

* Janelle Arthur and Kree Harrison - "Like A Prayer" by Madonna
* Candice Glover, Amber Holcomb, and Angie Miller - "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" by The Supremes and The Temptations
* Lazaro Arbos, Burnell Taylor, and Devin Velez - "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" by Four Tops

Group Performance:

* "Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger

### Top 7 perform

During this round of the Finals, the Top 7 contestants performed a Rock genre song for a spot in the Top 6.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Burnell Taylor.png
**Burnell Taylor** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 6 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on April 4, 2013.

#### Top 6

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 6**.
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* Candice Glover
* Kree Harrison
* Angie Miller

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* Lazaro Arbos
* Amber Holcomb
* Janelle Arthur *(bottom 2)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Burnell Taylor - "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi
* Kree Harrison - "Piece of My Heart" by Erma Franklin
* Janelle Arthur - "You May Be Right" by Billy Joel
* Lazaro Arbos - "We Are the Champions" by Queen
* Candice Glover - "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones
* Amber Holcomb - "What About Love" by Heart
* Angie Miller - "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence

Extra Performances:

* Lazaro Arbos and Angie Miller - "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen
* Candice Glover and Burnell Taylor - "The Letter" by The Box Tops
* Janelle Arthur, Kree Harrison, and Amber Holcomb - "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" by Billy Joel

Group Performance:

* "Somebody to Love" by Queen

### Top 6 perform

During this round of the Finals, the Top 6 contestants performed a Burt Bacharach & Hal David song and a song they wish they'd written for a spot in the Top 5.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Lazaro Arbos.png
**Lazaro Arbos** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 5 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on April 11, 2013.

#### Top 5

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 5**.
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* Candice Glover
* Kree Harrison
* Angie Miller
* Amber Holcomb *(bottom 2)*
* Janelle Arthur

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#### Performances

(All of the first performances by the contestants were all written by Burt Bacharach & Hal David, but some were released and sung by a different artist). The performances were in the following order:

* Angie Miller - "Anyone Who Had a Heart" by Dionne Warwick
* Amber Holcomb - "I Say a Little Prayer" by Dionne Warwick
* Lazaro Arbos - "(They Long to Be) Close to You" by The Carpenters
* Kree Harrison - "What the World Needs Now Is Love" by Jackie DeShannon
* Janelle Arthur - "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" by Burt Bacharach
* Candice Glover - "Don't Make Me Over" by Dionne Warwick
* Angie Miller - "Love Came Down" by Kari Jobe
* Amber Holcomb - "Love on Top" by Beyonce
* Lazaro Arbos - "Angels" by Robbie Williams
* Kree Harrison - "Help Me Make It Through the Night" by Kris Kristofferson
* Janelle Arthur - "The Dance" by Garth Brooks
* Candice Glover - "Lovesong" by The Cure

Group Performance:

* “You’ll Never Get to Heaven,” “I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself,” “Always Something There to Remind Me,” and “That’s What Friends Are For”

### Top 5 perform

During this round of the Finals, the Top 5 contestants performed a song from the year they were born in and a song from Divas for a spot in the Top 4.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Janelle Arthur.png
**Janelle Arthur** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 4 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on April 18, 2013.

#### Top 4

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 4**.
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* Candice Glover
* Kree Harrison *(bottom 2)*
* Angie Miller
* Amber Holcomb

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Candice Glover - "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul (1989)
* Janelle Arthur - "When I Call Your Name" by Vince Gill (1989)
* Kree Harrison - "She Talks to Angels" by The Black Crowes (1990)
* Angie Miller - "I'll Stand by You" by The Pretenders (1994)
* Amber Holcomb - "Without You" by Badfinger (1994)
* Candice Glover - "When You Believe" by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston
* Janelle Arthur - "Dumb Blonde" by Dolly Parton
* Kree Harrison - "Have You Ever Been in Love" by Celine Dion
* Angie Miller - "Halo" by Beyonce
* Amber Holcomb - "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" by Barbra Streisand

Group Performance:

* "Last Dance" / "Dim All the Lights" / "Heaven Knows" / "She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer

### Top 4 perform (first week)

During this round of the Finals, the Top 4 contestants performed a song of the contestant's choice and a One-hit wonder song for a spot in the Top 3.

#### Eliminated Contestant

On the results night, Ryan Seacrest revealed that Amber and Candice were in the bottom 2. However, both were declared safe together with Angie and Kree and no one was eliminated. Seacrest stated that due to the save not being used, it was a surprise non-elimination round and votes for that week would be carried over to the following week.

#### Top 4

The following contestants were safe from that round and remained in the **Top 4**.
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* Candice Glover *(bottom 2)*
* Kree Harrison
* Angie Miller
* Amber Holcomb *(bottom 2)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Amber Holcomb - "The Power of Love" by Jennifer Rush
* Candice Glover - "Find Your Love" by Drake
* Kree Harrison - "It Hurt So Bad" by Susan Tedeschi
* Angie Miller - "Who You Are" by Jessie J
* Amber Holcomb - "MacArthur Park" by Richard Harris (redone by Donna Summers)
* Candice Glover - "Emotion" by Samantha Sang
* Kree Harrison - "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum
* Angie Miller - "Cry Me a River" by Arthur Hamilton

Group Performances on performance night:

* Kree Harrison and Amber Holcomb - "Rumour Has It" by Adele
* Candice Glover and Angie Miller - "Stay" by Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko

Group Performance on results night:

* "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys

### Top 4 perform (second week)

During this round of the Finals, the Top 4 contestants performed a hit song of 2013 and a song from the Great American Songbook standards for a spot in the Top 3.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Amber Holcomb.png
**Amber Holcomb** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 3 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on May 2, 2013.

#### Top 3

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 3**.
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* Candice Glover
* Kree Harrison
* Angie Miller

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#### Performances

(The first performances were hit songs of 2013, the second performances were songs from the Great American Songbook). The contestants performed in the following order:

* Angie Miller - "Diamonds" by Rihanna
* Amber Holcomb - "Just Give Me a Reason" by Pink feat. Nate Ruess
* Candice Glover - "When I Was Your Man" by Bruno Mars
* Kree Harrison - "See You Again" by Carrie Underwood
* Angie Miller - "Someone to Watch Over Me" by George Gershwin
* Amber Holcomb - "My Funny Valentine" by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
* Candice Glover - "You've Changed" by Bill Carey and Carl Fischer
* Kree Harrison - "Stormy Weather" by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler

Performances on performance night:

* "Wings" by Little Mix

Performances on results night:

* "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce feat. Jay-Z

### Top 3 perform

During this round of the Finals, the Top 3 contestants performed a song of Jimmy Iovine's choice, a song of the Judge's choice, and a song of the Producers' choice for a spot in the Top 2.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Angela Miller.png
**Angie Miller** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 2 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on May 9, 2013.

#### Top 2

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 2**.
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* Candice Glover
* Kree Harrison

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#### Performances

(The first round of performances were chosen by Jimmy Iovine, the second round of performances were chosen by the Judges, and the final round of performances were chosen by the Producers of American Idol). The contestants performed in the following order:

* Kree Harrison - "F\*\*kin' Perfect" by Pink
* Candice Glover - "One" by U2
* Angie Miller - "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John
* Candice Glover - "Next to Me" by Emeli Sande
* Angie Miller - "Try" by Pink
* Kree Harrison - "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts
* Angie Miller - "Maybe" by Emeli Sande
* Kree Harrison - "Better Dig Two" by The Band Perry
* Candice Glover - "Somewhere" by Leonard Bernstein

Group Performance:

* "Who Says" by Selena Gomez

### Top 2 perform

During the final round of the Finals, the Top 2 contestants performed a song of Simon Fuller's choice, their winner single, and a song from their favorite performance for a spot as Season 12's **American Idol**.

#### Runner-up

File:Kree Harrison.png
**Kree Harrison** was announced the Runner-up of American Idol Season 12 on May 16, 2013.

#### Performances

(The first performances were songs of Simon Fuller's choice, the second performance was their winner single, and their final performance was a song from their favorite performance). The contestants performed in the following order:

* Kree Harrison - "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan
* Candice Glover - "Chasing Pavements" by Adele
* Kree Harrison - "All Cried Out"
* Candice Glover - "I Am Beautiful"
* Kree Harrison - "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" by Patty Griffin
* Candice Glover - "I (Who Have Nothing)" by Ben E. King

### Winner

File:Candice Glover.png
**Candice Glover** was announced the Winner of American Idol Season 12 on May 16, 2013.

## Elimination Song

The elimination song for this season was "Gone Gone Gone" by season 11 winner Phillip Phillips. The song is the current single off of his debut album *The World from the Side of the Moon*. Phillips performed the song on the March 14, 2013 results show.

## Results Show Performances

* **Bon Jovi** "Because We Can" (March 14, 2013)
* **Phillip Phillips** "Gone, Gone, Gone" (March 14, 2013)
* **Casey Abrams** "I Saw Her Standing There" (March 21, 2013)
* **Jessica Sanchez** feat. **Ne-Yo** "Tonight" (March 21, 2013)
* **Colton Dixon** "Love Has Come For Me" (March 28, 2013)
* **OneRepublic** feat. **Katharine McPhee** "If I Lose Myself" (March 28, 2013)
* **Keith Urban** "Long Hot Summer" (March 28, 2013)
* **Casey James** "The Good Life" (April 4, 2013)
* **Carrie Underwood** "See You Again" (April 4, 2013)
* **Scotty McCreery** "See You Tonight" (April 11, 2013)
* **Kelly Clarkson** "People Like Us" (April 11, 2013)
* **Clay Aiken** "Bridge over Troubled Water" (April 18, 2013)
* **Fantasia Barrino** "Lose to Win" (April 18, 2013)
* **Stefano Langone** "Yes to Love" (April 25, 2013)
* **Lee DeWyze** "Silver Lining" (April 25, 2013)
* **David Cook** "Laying Me Low" (May 2, 2013)
* **Will.i.am** "Bang Bang" (May 2, 2013)
* **Harry Connick, Jr.** "Every Man Should Know" (May 2, 2013)
* **Lauren Alaina** "Barefoot and Buckwild" (May 9, 2013)
* **Mariah Carey** feat. **Miguel** "#Beautiful" (May 9, 2013)
* **Alicia Keys** "Tears Always Win" (May 9, 2013)
* **Carly Rae Jepsen** "Take a Picture" (May 15, 2013)
* **Season 12 Top 10** "Glad You Came" (May 16, 2013)
* **The Band Perry** and **Janelle Arthur** "Done" (May 16, 2013)
* **Frankie Valli** and **Top 10 Guys** "Grease" (May 16, 2013)
* **Mariah Carey** "Vision Of Love" / "Make It Happen" / "My All" / "Hero" / "We Belong Together" / "#Beautiful" (May 16, 2013)
* **Emeli Sande** and **Amber Holcomb** "Next to me" (May 16, 2013)
* **Psy** "Gentleman" (May 16, 2013)
* **Keith Urban** (May 16, 2013)
* **Jennifer Hudson** and **Candice Glover** "Inseparable" (May 16, 2013)
* **Adam Lambert** and **Angie Miller** "Titanium" (May 16, 2013)
* **Jessie J** and **Angie Miller** "Domino" (May 16, 2013)
* **Keith Urban**, **Kree Harrison**, and **Randy Jackson** "Where the Blacktop Ends" (May 16, 2013)
* **Aretha Franklin** and **Top 10 Girls** "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"/"Respect" (May 16, 2013)
* **Jennifer Lopez** feat. **Pitbull** "Live it Up" (May 16, 2013)

## Final Spot in Summer Tour Sing-Off

Courtesy of AT&T, two previously eliminated contestants that didn't make it to the Top 10 performed for a final spot in the American Idol Summer Tour. Charlie Askew and Aubrey Cleland were the two contestants that performed. Charlie sang an original song that he wrote called "Sky Blue Diamond", and Aubrey sang "Out Here On My Own" by Irene Cara. On March 20, Aubrey Cleland was announced the winner of the final spot on the summer tour.

## Tour

The American Idols Live tour, which was supposed to begin on June 29, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri, kicked off on July 19, 2013 in Kent, Washington and ended on August 31, 2013 in Nashville. The first 10 concert dates were cancelled due to low ticket sales.

## Notable past Idol contestants

* Alex Kinsey, who was cut in Hollywood week, later auditioned for and won season 3 of *The X-Factor* as part of the duo Alex & Sierra with his then girlfriend, Sierra Deaton. Their mentor was former Idol judge Simon Cowell.

## Controversy

### Mariah Carey-Nicki Minaj feud

Before the show started airing, rumors began flying over a supposed feud between judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. Those rumors seemed to be true when the gossip website TMZ posted a video of the two women arguing during an audition in Charlotte, North Carolina. There were even claims that Minaj had said that if she had a gun, she would shoot Carey. According to Carey in an interview with Barbara Walters, the fighting got so bad that she ended up hiring extra security. Minaj denied ever mentioning a gun.

In the January 23, 2013 episode showing the Charlotte auditions, Minaj was shown to be mad at Carey and fellow judges Randy Jackson and Keith Urban over what she perceived to be insensitive comments towards contestant Summer Cunningham over what style of music her voice is better suited for, resulting in Minaj walking out of the audition room in anger.

Over the course of the show after the argument between them was leaked, Carey and Minaj claimed that they had put their differences aside, but critics noticed that the two seemed to be either ignoring each other or giving each other dirty looks as the show went on. Carey and Minaj would even get snippy at each other if one disagreed with the other on a contestant. After Carey made a remark concerning Minaj having never had a number 1 hit, Minaj took to Twitter to rant about her fellow judge, calling her "bitter" and "insecure". Minaj was accused of coming across as immature and a bully.

### Angie Miller Elimination

The elimination of Angie Miller drew considerable criticism. Miller was considered a fan-favorite, often placing in the voting's top ranks and becoming the season's sole contestant to not land in the bottom 2 or 3 until her elimination in the Top 3. The elimination was described by journalists as "shocking" and "surprising", to which they attributed competitor Kree Harrison's victory to support from Vote for the Worst, voting from Middle America, and pity votes prompted by her homecoming video.

### Matt Farmer disqualification

Matt Farmer, who had auditioned in Long Beach and made it to Hollywood, was disqualified after it was revealed that he had lied about his military service. He claimed that he had been injuried while in combat, but when it was revealed that he had never been injuried nor had been in combat, he was disqualified before the next round.

### Need for a female winner

While it was common knowledge that the show hadn't had a female winner since Jordin Sparks had won in 2007 and with 5 guys having won since that time, many fans and critics felt that with the way the top 10 had been set up that the producers were trying to manipulate the results in order for a woman to win the show. When the first five contestants, who happened to all be men, were eliminated, many expressed anger over what the show was trying to do. Even though Candice Glover won, many feel that the manipulation by the producers to have a female winner may have led to the changes that ended up happening for season 13.

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