Season 13

**Season 13** of American Idol premiered on January 15, 2014 on FOX and concluded on May 21, 2014. The season was won by North Carolina rocker Caleb Johnson. Ryan Seacrest returned as the hostwith the judging panel consisting of Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick, Jr. Rickey Minor returned to the show as musical director after leaving the show after season 9 to join *The Tonight Show with Jay Leno*.

On June 8, 2013, Nigel Lythgoe confirmed on Twitter that he had been fired from the show, and Ken Warwick was later fired as well.

 File:Group13Ar2.jpg  They were replaced by Swedish Idol executive producer Per Blankens and Den of Thieves producers Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager. David Hill, former head of Fox Sports, oversaw the show.

Former longtime Idol judge Randy Jackson was confirmed as the show's in-house mentor, replacing Jimmy Iovine. Idol alums Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry assisted Jackson in mentoring the contestants during "Rush Week".

This season also marks the first time since season 11 that the "judges' save" was used when it was used on contestant Sam Woolf on April 3, 2014.

### Season 14 reveal

During the results of the Top 3 for Season 13, they announced the audition cities and bus tour stops for Season 14. With this, it revealed that they would be doing another season.

## Auditions

During the results show for the Top 3 on Season 12 of the show, a commercial was broadcast advertising singers to come and audition for Season 13 of American Idol. Because of this commercial, it was officially confirmed that there would be another season of the show. The audition cities were also revealed during the broadcast. On August 15, the bus tour cities were announced including the cities of Little Rock, Arkansas and Knoxville, Tennessee among others. By the time the auditions ended, the grand total of tickets given was 212.

The following cities hosted auditions for Season 13, the date of the auditions are also shown.

* **Salt Lake City, Utah** - *July 11, 2013*
* **San Francisco, California** - *July 16, 2013*
* **Detroit, Michigan** - *July 21, 2013*
* **Atlanta, Georgia** - *July 26, 2013*
* **Boston, Massachusetts** - *August 2, 2013*
* **Austin, Texas** - *August 7, 2013*
* **Omaha, Nebraska** - *August 11, 2013*

### Rule change

For the first time ever, semi finalists from season 12 will be able to try out for the show again. Only Aubrey Cleland, who won the sing-off to be a part of the 2013 American Idols Live Tour, as well as Tenna Torres and Vincent Powell, due to the age limit, are ineligible.

### New Additions

For Season 13, American Idol has added a room called a "chamber", for contestants to make last minute preparations. Once the big light flashes green, it's time for them to audition.

This season has also changed the design of Golden Tickets. Golden Tickets in past seasons were a large yellow piece of paper with the contestant's number written on it. For this season, the design is now a small golden-yellow strip of paper that says "Congratulations!" and is handed out by the judges.

## Hollywood Week

During Hollywood Week, the contestants who made it past auditions will undergo brutal rounds of singing, cooperation, and stamina. Only 30 will move past these rounds.

 File:Knock Out Round Pic.jpg
### Knock-out Round

A new addition to American Idol, the surprise "knock out round", took place in an airline hanger at the LAX airport. 50 contestants that the judges weren't confident about, sang in order to remain in the competition. They were then broken up into two different groups and were placed on two buses. One of the buses drove the passing contestants to Hollywood, while the other drove the eliminated contestants to the airport to return home. Yet none of the contestants were sure where their bus would take them.

### Judgement Round 1

Just like in past seasons, the judgement round proves to the judges what contestants are good enough to reach the group rounds. Contestants would move out onto the stage in lines at a time to try and sing their best. If the judges weren't impressed, they would be sent home, while those who did impress would be sent through to the Group Rounds.

### Group Rounds

The Group Rounds, considered the most dramatic part of almost every season (Season 7 being an exception), makes the contestants form groups to impress the judges. For the first time, contestants were allowed to pick partners of opposite gender to sing with; unlike past seasons where it was male and female groups only. Once they've found their group they must figure out the song choice, who sings what, and choreography. Those who were successful moved on to the final Judgement Round to earn as spot in the Top 30.

### Top 30

By the end of Hollywood week, 29 contestants were chosen to move on to the Semifinals. The other two contestants, Ben Briley and Neco Starr, weren't able to be decided by the judges, so the decision went to America. Ben Briley was chosen to claim the final Top 30 spot.

**Males:**

 Emmanuel Zidor

**Females:**

## Semifinals

During Season 13's Semifinals, the contestants had to endure a "Rush Week" round. Only ten contestants from each gender group were able to be chosen by the judges to sing for America's vote. If they weren't picked, they were eliminated from the competition. Past contestants Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry, as well as past veteran judge Randy Jackson, accompanied the contestants as mentors. America's vote ultimately determined the Top 13 by the end of the Semifinals.

### Top 20

The following contestants were Season 13's **Top 20**:

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**Females**

* **Majesty Rose**
* **Kristen O'Connor**
* **Briana Oakley**
* **Jena Irene**
* **Bria Anai**
* **Marrialle Sellars**
* **Jessica Meuse**
* **Emily Piriz**
* **MK Nobilette**
* **Malaya Watson**

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**Males**

* **Caleb Johnson**
* **C.J. Harris**
* **Emmanuel Zidor**
* **Sam Woolf**
* **George Lovett**
* **Dexter Roberts**
* **Alex Preston**
* **Malcolm Allen**
* **Ben Briley**
* **Spencer Lloyd**

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### Wild Card Round

After the ten contestants America put through were announced, five contestants were chosen by the judges to hopefully win a spot in the Top 13. The judges chose contestants C.J. Harris, Jena Irene, Spencer Lloyd, Bria Anai, and Kristen O'Connor to sing for the last three spots. The judges in the end chose CJ, Jena, and Kristen to advance on to the Top 13.

## Top 13

The following were Season 13's **Top 13**.
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Females

* Jena Irene
* Jessica Meuse
* Malaya Watson
* Majesty Rose
* MK Nobilette
* Emily Piriz
* Kristen O'Connor

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 File:American-Idol-Top-13-620x400.jpg
Males

* Caleb Johnson
* Alex Preston
* Sam Woolf
* C.J. Harris
* Dexter Roberts
* Ben Briley

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## Finals

### Top 13 perform

During the first round of the Finals, the Top 13 performed a song showing who they are as an artist for a spot in the Top 12.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Kristen O'Connor.png
**Kristen O'Connor** was the first eliminated contestant, bringing the total down to 12 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on February 27, 2014.

#### Top 12

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 12**.
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* Malaya Watson *(bottom 3)*
* Emily Piriz
* Jessica Meuse
* Majesty Rose
* MK Nobilette *(bottom 3)*
* Jena Irene

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* Ben Briley
* Alex Preston
* Dexter Roberts
* Caleb Johnson
* Sam Woolf
* C.J. Harris

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Dexter Roberts - "Aw Naw" by Chris Young
* Malaya Watson - "Runaway Baby" by Bruno Mars
* Kristen O'Connor - "Beautiful Disaster" by Kelly Clarkson
* Ben Briley - "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash
* C.J. Harris - "Radio" by Darius Rucker
* MK Nobilette - "Satisfaction" by Allen Stone
* Majesty Rose - "Tightrope" by Janelle Monae
* Jena Irene - "The Scientist" by Coldplay
* Alex Preston - "A Beautiful Mess" by Jason Mraz
* Jessica Meuse - "The Crow & the Butterfly" by Shinedown
* Emily Piriz - "Glitter in the Air" by Pink
* Sam Woolf - "Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty
* Caleb Johnson - "Pressure and Time" by Rival Sons

Group Performance:

* "Counting Stars" by OneRepublic, "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons

### Top 12 perform

During this round of the Finals, the Top 12 performed a song that reminds them of their home for a spot in the Top 11.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Emily Piriz.png
**Emily Piriz** was the eliminated contestant, bringing the total down to 11 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on March 6, 2014.

#### Top 11

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 11**.
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* Malaya Watson
* Jessica Meuse
* Majesty Rose
* MK Nobilette *(bottom 3)*
* Jena Irene *(bottom 3)*
* Ben Briley

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* Alex Preston
* Dexter Roberts
* Caleb Johnson
* Sam Woolf
* C.J. Harris

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Jena Irene - "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall
* Alex Preston - "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw
* Jessica Meuse - "White Flag" by Dido
* Dexter Roberts - "Lucky Man" by Montgomery Gentry
* Emily Piriz - "Let's Get Loud" by Jennifer Lopez
* Caleb Johnson - "Working Man" by Rush
* MK Nobilette - "Drops of Jupiter" by Train
* C.J. Harris - "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer
* Sam Woolf - "Just One" by Blind Pilot
* Malaya Watson - "Take Me to the King" by Tamela Mann
* Ben Briley - "Turning Home" by David Nail
* Majesty Rose - "Fix You" by Coldplay

### Top 11 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 11 performed a song from the cinema for a spot in the Top 10.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Ben Briley.png
**Ben Briley** was the eliminated contestant, bringing the total down to 10 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on March 13, 2014.

#### Top 10

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the summer tour and the **Top 10**.
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* Malaya Watson
* Jessica Meuse
* Majesty Rose *(bottom 3)*
* MK Nobilette
* Jena Irene

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* Alex Preston
* Dexter Roberts
* Caleb Johnson
* Sam Woolf *(bottom 3)*
* C.J. Harris

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Sam Woolf - "Come Together" by The Beatles
* Jessica Meuse - "The Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel
* C.J. Harris - "Can't You See" by The Marshall Tucker Band
* Dexter Roberts - "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
* Ben Briley - "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John
* Majesty Rose - "Let It Go" by Idina Menzel
* Caleb Johnson - "Skyfall" by Adele
* MK Nobilette - "Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan
* Alex Preston - "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
* Jena Irene - "Decode" by Paramore
* Malaya Watson - "I Am Changing" by Jennifer Holliday

### Top 10 perform

During this round of the Finals, the contestants performed a Billboard Top 10 song from the 2010s for a spot in the Top 9.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:MK Nobilette.png
**MK Nobilette** was the eliminated contestant, bringing the total down to 9 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on March 20, 2014.

#### Top 9

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 9**.
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* Malaya Watson
* Jessica Meuse
* Majesty Rose *(bottom 3)*
* Jena Irene
* Alex Preston

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* Dexter Roberts *(bottom 3)*
* Caleb Johnson
* Sam Woolf
* C.J. Harris

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* MK Nobilette - "F\*\*kin' Perfect" by Pink
* Dexter Roberts - "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line
* Jena Irene - "Clarity" by Zedd feat. Foxes
* Alex Preston - "Story of My Life" by One Direction
* Malaya Watson - "When I Was Your Man" by Bruno Mars
* Caleb Johnson - "The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga
* C.J. Harris - "Invisible" by Hunter Hayes
* Jessica Meuse - "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People
* Majesty Rose - "Wake Me Up" by Avicii
* Sam Woolf - "We Are Young" by FUN feat. Janelle Monae

### Top 9 perform

During this round of the Finals, the contestants performed a song leading the band for a spot in the Top 8.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Majesty Rose.png
**Majesty Rose** was the eliminated contestant, bringing the total down to 8 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on March 27, 2014.

#### Top 8

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 8**.
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* Malaya Watson
* Jessica Meuse
* Jena Irene
* Alex Preston

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* Dexter Roberts
* Caleb Johnson
* Sam Woolf *(bottom 3)*
* C.J. Harris *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Alex Preston - "Don't Speak" by No Doubt
* Majesty Rose - "Shake It Out" by Florence & the Machine
* Dexter Roberts - "Boondocks" by Little Big Town
* Malaya Watson - "The Long and Winding Road" by The Beatles
* Sam Woolf - "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's
* Jessica Meuse - "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac
* C.J. Harris - "If It Hadn't Been for Love" by The SteelDrivers
* Caleb Johnson - "Dazed and Confused" by Led Zeppelin
* Jena Irene - "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence feat. Paul McCoy

### Top 8 perform (first week)

During this round of the Finals, the contestants performed the song they sang for their audition for a spot in the Top 7.

#### Saved Contestant

File:Sam Woolf.png
**Sam Woolf** was supposed to be the eliminated contestant on April 3, 2014; but with the Judges' save, he was safe, keeping the total at 8 remaining contestants.

#### Top 8

The following contestants were safe from that round and remained in the **Top 8**.
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* Malaya Watson *(bottom 3)*
* Jessica Meuse
* Jena Irene
* Alex Preston

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* Dexter Roberts
* Caleb Johnson
* Sam Woolf *(bottom 3)*
* C.J. Harris *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Jessica Meuse - "Blue Eyed Lie" (original)
* C.J. Harris - "Soul Shine" by The Allman Brothers Band
* Sam Woolf - "Lego House" by Ed Sheeran
* Malaya Watson - "Ain't No Way" by Aretha Franklin
* Dexter Roberts - "One Mississippi" by Brett Eldredge
* Jena Irene - "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele
* Caleb Johnson - "Chain of Fools" by Aretha Franklin
* Alex Preston - "Fairytales" (original)

Group Performances on performance night:

* Jena Irene and Alex Preston - "Just Give Me a Reason" by Pink feat. Nate Ruess
* Caleb Johnson and Jessica Meuse - "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty
* Malaya Watson and Sam Woolf - "Lucky" by Jason Mraz
* C.J. Harris and Dexter Roberts - "Alright" by Darius Rucker

### Top 8 perform (second week)

During this round of the Finals, the contestants performed a song from the 80s for a spot in the Top 7.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Malaya Watson.png
**Malaya Watson** was the eliminated contestant, bringing the total down to 7 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on April 10, 2014.

#### Top 7

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 7**.
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* Jessica Meuse
* Jena Irene
* Alex Preston
* Dexter Roberts

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* Caleb Johnson
* Sam Woolf
* C.J. Harris *(bottom 2)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Jena Irene - "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Arrows
* Dexter Roberts - "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by The Georgia Satellites
* Malaya Watson - "Through the Fire" by Chaka Khan
* Jessica Meuse - "Call Me" by Blondie
* Sam Woolf - "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper
* Alex Preston - "Every Breath You Take" by The Police
* C.J. Harris - "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty
* Caleb Johnson - "Faithfully" by Journey

Group performances:

* Alex Preston and Sam Woolf - "The Girl Is Mine" by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
* Jena Irene and Caleb Johnson - "It's Only Love" by Bryan Adams and Tina Turner
* C.J. Harris and Malaya Watson - "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" by Aretha Franklin and George Michael
* Jessica Meuse and Dexter Roberts - "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

### Top 7 perform

During this round of the finals, the contestants performed a song of their choice for a spot in the Top 6.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Dexter Roberts.png
**Dexter Roberts** was the eliminated contestant, bringing the total down to 6 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on April 17, 2014.

#### Top 6

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 6**.
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* Jessica Meuse *(bottom 2)*
* Jena Irene
* Alex Preston

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* Caleb Johnson
* Sam Woolf
* C.J. Harris

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Caleb Johnson - "Family Tree" by Kings of Leon
* Jessica Meuse - "Gunpowder & Led" by Miranda Lambert
* C.J. Harris - "Gravity" by John Mayer
* Dexter Roberts - "Muckalee Creek Water" by Luke Bryan
* Alex Preston - "The A Team" by Ed Sheeran
* Sam Woolf - "Sail Away" by David Gray
* Jena Irene - "Creep" by Radiohead

Group performances:

* Alex Preston and Sam Woolf - "Let Her Go" by Passenger
* Jena Irene and Caleb Johnson - "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones
* C.J. Harris, Jessica Meuse, and Dexter Roberts - "Compass" by Lady Antebellum

### Top 6 perform

During this round of the Finals, the contestants performed a song from country and rock 'n' roll for a spot in the Top 5.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:CJ Harris.png
**C.J. Harris** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 5 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on April 24, 2014.

#### Top 5

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 5**.
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* Jessica Meuse *(bottom 2)*
* Jena Irene
* Alex Preston
* Caleb Johnson
* Sam Woolf

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Jena Irene - "Barracuda" by Heart
* Sam Woolf - "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons
* C.J. Harris - "American Woman" by The Guess Who
* Alex Preston - "Animal" by Neon Trees
* Caleb Johnson - "Sting Me" by The Black Crows
* Jessica Meuse - "Somebody to Love" by Jefferson Airplane
* Sam Woolf - "You're Still the One" by Shania Twain
* Caleb Johnson - "Undo It" by Carrie Underwood
* Alex Preston - "Always on My Mind" by Willie Nelson
* Jena Irene - "So Small" by Carrie Underwood
* C.J. Harris - "Whatever It Is" by Zac Brown Band
* Jessica Meuse - "Jolene" by Dolly Parton

### Top 5 perform

During this round of the Finals, the contestants performed a songs of America's choice for a spot in the Top 4.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Sam Woolf.png
**Sam Woolf** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 4 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on May 1, 2014. With a special twist on results, the finalists were able to chose unanimously to rather have no one eliminated this week but have 2 eliminated next week, or have someone eliminated at that moment. With a 3 - 2 non-unanimous vote, the finalists chose a single elimination at that moment which resulted in Sam's elimination.

#### Top 4

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 4**.
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* Jessica Meuse
* Jena Irene
* Alex Preston
* Caleb Johnson

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Alex Preston - "Sweater Weather" by The Neighborhood
* Caleb Johnson - "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith
* Jessica Meuse - "Human" by Christina Perri
* Sam Woolf - "Sing" by Ed Sheeran
* Jena Irene - "My Body" by Young the Giant
* Alex Preston - "Say Something" by A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera
* Jena Irene - "Valerie" by Amy Winehouse
* Sam Woolf - "How to Save a Life" by The Fray
* Jessica Meuse - "Summertime Sadness" by Lana Del Rey
* Caleb Johnson - "Still of the Night" by Whitesnake

Group performances:

* Jena Irene, Alex Preston, and Sam Woolf - "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors
* Caleb Johnson and Jessica Meuse - "Beast of Burden" by The Rolling Stones

### Top 4 perform

During this round of the Finals, the contestants performed a songs about love for a spot in the Top 3.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Jessica Meuse.png
**Jessica Meuse** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 3 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on May 8, 2014.

#### Top 3

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 3**.
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* Jena Irene
* Alex Preston
* Caleb Johnson

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Caleb Johnson - "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi
* Jessica Meuse - "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson
* Alex Preston - "Too Close" by Alex Clare
* Jena Irene - "Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar
* Caleb Johnson - "Travelin' Band" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
* Jessica Meuse - "So What" by Pink
* Jena Irene - "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga
* Alex Preston - "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz
* Caleb Johnson - "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney
* Jessica Meuse - "You and I" by Lady Gaga
* Jena Irene - "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley
* Alex Preston - "Yellow" by Coldplay

### Top 3 perform

During this round of the Finals, the contestants performed songs of Randy Jackson's choice, the Judges' choice, and their Hometown's choice for a spot in the Top 2.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Alex Preston.png
**Alex Preston** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 2 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on May 15, 2014.

#### Top 2

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 2**.
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* Jena Irene
* Caleb Johnson

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Caleb Johnson - "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS
* Alex Preston - "Pompeii" by Bastille
* Jena Irene - "Titanium" by David Guetta feat. Sia
* Caleb Johnson - "Demons" by Imagine Dragons
* Alex Preston - "Stay" by Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko
* Jena Irene - "Heart Attack" by Demi Lovato
* Caleb Johnson - "Dazed and Confused" by Led Zeppelin
* Alex Preston - "Story of My Life" by One Direction
* Jena Irene - "Creep" by Radiohead

### Top 2 perform

During the final round of the Finals, the contestants performed songs of Simon Fuller's choice, a reprise of a previously performed song, and their winner single for a spot as Season 13's American Idol.

#### Runner-Up

File:Jena Irene.png
**Jena Irene** was announced the runner-up of the season on May 21, 2014.

#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order.

* Jena Irene - "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence & the Machine
* Caleb Johnson - "Dream On" by Aerosmith
* Jena Irene - "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley
* Caleb Johnson - "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney
* Jena Irene - "We Are One"
* Caleb Johnson - "As Long As You Love Me"

### Winner

File:Caleb Johnson.png
**Caleb Johnson** was announced the winner of the season on May 21, 2014.

## Notable Contestants

* Jillian Jensen, who was cut during the Semifinals, also tried out for Season 2 of the *X-Factor*. She was cut during that show as well.
* Dexter Roberts, who finished in 7th place, later tried out for season 16 of *The Voice* in 2019. This time, he was on Team Blake and came in 3rd place.
* Zach Day, who was cut in the Hollywood Rounds, later tried out for season 18 of *The Voice* in 2020. This time, he was on Team Legend and was eliminated in the Battle Rounds.

## Results Show Performances

* **Candice Glover** - "Cried"/"Same Kinda Man" (February 27, 2014)
* **Jake Bugg** - "You & Me" (February 27, 2014)
* **Phillip Phillips** - "Raging Fire" (March 6, 2014)
* **Kodaline** - "All I Want" (March 6, 2014)
* **Harry Connick, Jr.** - "One Fine Thing"/"Come By Me" (March 13, 2014)
* **Mali Music** - "Beautiful" (March 13, 2014)
* **Jennifer Lopez** feat. **French Montana**, **Allison Iraheta**, **Jessica Sanchez**, & **Pia Toscano** - "I Luh Ya Papi" (March 20, 2014)
* **Royal Teeth** - "Wild" (March 20, 2014)
* **Janelle Monae** - "What is Love?" (March 27, 2014)
* **Daughtry** - "Waiting for Superman" (April 3, 2014)
* **Keith Urban** - "Good Thing" (May 1, 2014)
* **Scotty McCreery** - "Feelin' It" (May 15, 2014)
* **Malaya Watson** and **John Legend** - "You and I/All of Me" (May 21, 2014)
* **C.J. Harris**, **Dexter Roberts**, and **Darius Rucker** - "True Believers/Alright" (May 21, 2014)
* **Lady Antebellum** - "Bartender" (May 21, 2014)
* **Jessica Meuse** and **Jennifer Nettles** - "That Girl/Wrecking Ball" (May 21, 2014)
* **Sam Woolf** and **Phillip Phillips** - "Home/Raging Fire" (May 21, 2014)
* **Keith Urban**, **Jennifer Lopez**, **Randy Jackson**, **Harry Connick, Jr.** - "True Colors/Go Your Own Way" (May 21, 2014)
* **Demi Lovato** and **Top 13 Girls** - "Really Don't Care/Neon Lights" (May 21, 2014)
* **Alex Preston** and **Jason Mraz** - "Love Someone" (May 21, 2014)
* **Caleb Johnson** and **KISS** - "Love Gun/Shout It Out Loud" (May 21, 2014)
* **Jena Irene** and **Paramore** - "Decode/Ain't It Fun" (May 21, 2014)
* **Jennifer Lopez** - "First Love" (May 21, 2014)
* **Richard Marx** and **Ryan Seacrest** - "Right Here Waiting" (May 21, 2014)

## Tour

 File:10450780 10202528443584885 302214347895292456 n.jpg  The 2014 American Idols Live tour, which featured the top 10, kicked off in Binghamton, New York on June 24, 2014. Unlike past tours, which were played at large venues, this tour was played at smaller venues.

### Tour cancellations and issues

Like the season 12 tour before it, this tour was faced with slow ticket sales and one concert, the June 25, 2014 show in Albany, New York, being cancelled. Another show, being held on June 29 in Syracuse, New York, was moved to another venue.

### Departure of Dexter Roberts

Since July 1, 2014, fans began noticing that finalist Dexter Roberts seemed to no longer be a part of the tour. MJs BIg Blog reported that Dexter had left the tour due to illness while Yahoo! Music's Lyndsey Parker reported that both Dexter and the show had mutally agreed to part ways. On August 4, 2014, Dexter released a statement saying that he had left the tour after being diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick Fever, which he had contracted after having gone on a turkey hunt in Kentucky after the Idol finale.

## Controversy

### Elimination of Malaya Watson

Malaya Watson's elimination caused a stir amongst many fans with some stating that the judges use of the "Judges' Save" on Sam Woolf on April 3, 2014 should have been used on her. Some said that Malaya deserved to win while others announced that they would no longer watch the show as they were outraged by her elimination. Judge Jennifer Lopez revealed in an interview that she was outraged and disappointed with the result and believed that Malaya did not deserve to be eliminated from the show; then added that she wished she could've done something about it.

### Caleb Johnson's Reaction to his Fans

During his interview with AfterBuzz TV following the Top 5 elimination show, Caleb Johnson made offensive remarks about his fans who tweet him song suggestions.

"[Twitter] gives access to a bunch of retards to talk to me," Caleb said. "I don't really enjoy having to see somebody telling me what song I have to sing. I think at this point of the competition, I can pick and choose my own songs and represent me. I don't need 10,000 people saying, 'You should sing this, you should sing that. Listen to me!' Fortunately, guys, I'm going to listen to myself, whether you like it or not."

After his fans expressed outrage on Twitter, Caleb issued an apology on his Facebook page.

"For the record that juvenile comment I made in the interview was not directed towards my fans but to the wackos that send hundreds of hate messages a day to me! You guys are amazing and I cannot thank you enough for your support. Sorry if it offended anybody it was the wrong choice of words. Also I greatly appreciate it when you guys give me song suggestions but it gets really overwhelming at the volume it comes in so please understand ! Rock on !:)"

### Idol elimination "twist"

On the May 1, 2014 results show, host Ryan Seacrest announced that instead of doing the show the way it's usually done, it would be put in the hands of the remaining contestants, who were given two options: send someone home or keep the top 5 together and have a double elimination the following week. The decision had to be unanimous. However, it wasn't. The vote was 3-2. Sam Woolf ended up elimiinated as a result.

The "twist" caused an outrage among fans, critics, and even the contestants themselves, who all claimed that it was cruel and mean-spirited. The revealation that Jena Irene and Alex Preston had been the ones to vote "No" caused them to be harshly criticized by Sam's fans even though Sam himself later took to Twitter to tell his fans that he respected both Jena and Alex and understood why they voted the way they each did.

## Notable past Idol contestants

* Garrett Nichols, who made it to Hollywood week, later joined the country trio Restless Road, who were formed on season 3 of *The X Factor*. He replaced original member Andrew Scholz, who left the group to pursue a solo career.
* LB Crew, who had tried for season 13, is now a contestant on season 16 of the NBC show *The Voice*. His mentor is Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine, and he was eliminated during the quarter-finals.
* Dexter Roberts, who finished in 7th place, is now a contestant on season 16 of the NBC show *The Voice*. His mentor is country music superstar Blake Shelton, and during the finale, he came in 3rd place.
* Zach Day, who had tried for season 13, is now a contestant on season 18 of the NBC show *The Voice.* His mentor is R&B/EGOT singer John Legend, and he was eliminated in the Battle Rounds.
* Queen Bulls, who made it to Hollywood week and performed in a group with Malaya Watson, is now a well-known R&B artist under Queen Naija, releasing many songs such as "Medicine" and "Karma," and released her debut album in 2020.

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