Season 11

**Season 11** of American Idol premiered on Fox on January 18, 2012. The show aired on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, while Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez all returned as judges. Interscope Records Chairman Jimmy Iovine, a songwriter and producer, also returned as an in-house mentor to work with the contestants on a weekly basis. This season followed the same format as Season 10, although a new title screen and logo were created, with a different font. This was the last season to feature Tyler and Lopez as judges after they confirmed they would be leaving the show two months after the finale.

The season set a record when 132 million votes were gathered for the finale. On May 23, 2012, Phillip Phillips became the winner of the eleventh season of American Idol, beating Jessica Sanchez, the first and only female recipient of the judges' save.

Five contestants from this season were signed to record labels. The signed artists are Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez, Skylar Laine, Colton Dixon, and Heejun Han.

## Auditions

Auditions for this season took place in these cities:

* North Charleston, South Carolina

* Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

* San Diego, California

* Denver, Colorado

* Houston, Texas

* Portland, Oregon

* St. Louis, Missouri

* East Rutherford, New Jersey(auditions for this city not aired due to scheduling changes)

Out of an estimated 100,000 who tried out, only 310 people came out of these auditions and made it to Hollywood.

## Hollywood week

This part of the show took place on December 12, 2011 in Pasadena, California. Out of 310 contestants, only 185 made it through to the group round, and despite illness during this part of the competition 98 survived to make it through to the final solo round. The remaining contestants were then split into four rooms with only one room of contestants not going through to the Vegas round. 70 contestants made it to Las Vegas.

## Las Vegas round

The remaining 70 contestants went to Las Vegas for a challenge round where they had to perform traditional late 1950s songs in groups with Elvis Presley show "Immortal" serving as a backdrop. This was then followed by the "Sing-For-Your-Life" round. The 42 contestants who survived the challenge round performed to a song of their choice for Le Reve at the Wynn Las Vegas. The top 24 was revealed in a two-part episode known to fans of the show as "The Green Mile" episode that aired on February 22 and 23 of 2012.

## Contestants

The following contestants were Season 11's **Top 25**.

**Males:**

 Joshua Ledet | Chase Likens

**Females:**

### Wild Card Round

Following those ten singers advancing on Thursday, March 1, six of the remaining 25 semi-finalists were selected by the judges to compete in the Wild Card round. The Wild Card round immediately began, following the announcement of the ten finalists. Following another performance by each Wild Card contender, the judges then selected three contestants to advance to the final group of 13. Jen Hirsh, Jeremy Rosado, Brielle Von Hugel, DeAndre Brackensick, Erika Van Pelt & Reed Grimm were chosen to compete in the wild card round. Afterwards, Brackensick, Rosado & Van Pelt were chosen to continue in the competition.

## Top 13

The following contestants were Season 11's **Top 13**.
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Males

* Phillip Phillips
* Joshua Ledet
* Colton Dixon
* DeAndre Brackensick
* Heejun Han
* Jermaine Jones
* Jeremy Rosado

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 File:163582 american-idol-season-11-top-13.jpg
Females

* Jessica Sanchez
* Hollie Cavanagh
* Skylar Laine
* Elise Testone
* Erika Van Pelt
* Shannon Magrane

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## Finals

### Top 13 perform

On March 7, 2012, the women performed Whitney Houston songs and the men performed Stevie Wonder songs. Ryan Seacrest stated that it will be a competition between the male and female contestants. As a result, the bottom three of each gender, as well as the male and female contestant who received the lowest number of votes amongst their gender, were announced the next night, and the judges chose who went home. However, this will not count as the supposed "Judges' Save" which can only be used once in the competition before the Top 5.

#### Saved Contestant

File:Elise Testone.png
The judges used the Top 13 save on **Elise Testone** who received the lowest amount of votes with Jeremy Rosado. The total was kept to 12 contestants after Rosado was eliminated from the competition.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Jeremy Rosado.jpg
**Jeremy Rosado** was eliminated on March 8, 2012 after the judges used the Top 13 Save on Elise Testone, bringing the total down to 12 contestants.

#### Top 12

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 12**.
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* Hollie Cavanagh
* Shannon Magrane *(bottom 3 female)*
* Jessica Sanchez
* Phillip Phillips
* Colton Dixon
* Erika Van Pelt *(bottom 3 female)*

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* Heejun Han
* Jermaine Jones *(bottom 3 male)*
* Elise Testone *(bottom 3 female)*
* Joshua Ledet *(bottom 3 male)*
* Skylar Laine
* DeAndre Brackensick

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#### Performances

The female contestants performed songs from Whitney Houston, while the male contestants performed a song from Stevie Wonder. (Songs that do not have an artist's name next to them belong to rather Whitney Houston or Stevie Wonder depending on gender). The contestants performed in the following order:

* Joshua Ledet - "I Wish"
* Elise Testone - "I'm Your Baby Tonight"
* Jermaine Jones - "Knocks Me Off My Feet"
* Erika Van Pelt - "I Believe in You and Me" by Four Tops
* Colton Dixon - "Lately"
* Shannon Magrane - "I Have Nothing"
* DeAndre Brackensick - "Master Blaster (Jammin')"
* Skylar Laine - "Where Do Broken Hearts Go"
* Heejun Han - "All in Love Is Fair"
* Hollie Cavanagh - "All the Man I Needed" by Linda Clifford
* Jeremy Rosado - "Ribbon in the Sky"
* Jessica Sanchez - "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton
* Phillip Phillips - "Superstition"

Group Performance:

* "As" by Stevie Wonder

### Top 12 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 12 performed a song from the year they were born in for a spot in the Top 11.

#### Disqualified Contestant

File:Caps.PNG
Due to his criminal past, **Jermaine Jones** was disqualified from the competition, bringing the total down to eleven remaining contestants instead of twelve. Voting continued as scheduled with one of the remaining 11 contestants will be eliminated in addition to Jones, unlike the Season 2 disqualification of Corey Clark.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Shannon Magrane.png
**Shannon Magrane** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 10 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on March 15, 2012.

#### Top 10

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 10**.
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* Hollie Cavanagh
* Jessica Sanchez
* Phillip Phillips
* Colton Dixon
* Erika Van Pelt *(bottom 3)*

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* Heejun Han
* Elise Testone *(bottom 3)*
* Joshua Ledet
* Skylar Laine
* DeAndre Brackensick

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Phillip Phillips - "Hard to Handle" by Otis Redding (1990)
* Jessica Sanchez - "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson (1995)
* Heejun Han - "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx (1989)
* Elise Testone - "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green (1983)
* DeAndre Brackensick - "Endless Love" by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross (1994)
* Shannon Magrane - "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men (1995)
* Colton Dixon - "Broken Heart" by White Lion (1991)
* Erika Van Pelt - "Heaven" by Bryan Adams (1985)
* Skylar Laine - "Love Sneakin' Up On You" by Bonnie Raitt (1994)
* Joshua Ledet - "When a Man Loves a Women" by Percy Sledge (1992)
* Hollie Cavanagh - "The Power of Love" by Jennifer Rush (1993)

### Top 10 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 10 performed a song from Billy Joel for a spot in the Top 9.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Erika Van Pelt.png
**Erika Van Pelt** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 9 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on March 22, 2012.

#### Top 9

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 9**.
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* Hollie Cavanagh
* Jessica Sanchez
* Phillip Phillips
* Colton Dixon
* Heejun Han *(bottom 3)*

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* Elise Testone
* Joshua Ledet
* Skylar Laine
* DeAndre Brackensick *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants all sang a song that was released by Billy Joel. The contestants performed in the following order:

* DeAndre Brackensick - "Only the Good Die Young"
* Erika Van Pelt - "New York State of Mind"
* Joshua Ledet - "She's Got a Way"
* Skylar Laine - "Shameless"
* Elise Testone - "Vienna"
* Phillip Phillips - "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"
* Hollie Cavanagh - "Honesty"
* Heejun Han - "My Life"
* Jessica Sanchez - "Everybody Has a Dream"
* Colton Dixon - "Piano Man"

Group Performances:

* "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel
* Joe Perry and group - "Happy Birthday to You" (to Steven Tyler)

### Top 9 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 9 performed a song from their personal idols for a spot in the Top 8.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Heejun Han.png
**Heejun Han** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 8 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on March 29, 2012.

#### Top 8

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 8**.
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* Hollie Cavanagh *(bottom 3)*
* Jessica Sanchez
* Phillip Phillips
* Colton Dixon

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* Elise Testone
* Joshua Ledet
* Skylar Laine *(bottom 3)*
* DeAndre Brackensick

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Colton Dixon - "Everything" by Lifehouse
* Skylar Laine - "Gunpowder & Lead" by Miranda Lambert
* Heejun Han - "A Song for You" by Leon Russell
* Hollie Cavanagh - "Jesus, Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood
* DeAndre Brackensick - "Sometimes I Cry" by Eric Benet
* Jessica Sanchez - "Sweet Dreams" - by Beyonce
* Phillip Phillips - "Still Rainin" by Jonny Lang
* Joshua Ledet - "Without You" by Badfinger
* Elise Testone - "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin

Group Performances:

* Colton Dixon, Phillip Phillips and Elise Testone - "Landslide"/ "Edge of Seventeen"/ "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac/ Stevie Nicks
* DeAndre Brackensick, Heejun Han and Joshua Ledet - "The Lady in My Life"/ "Rock With You"/ "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" by Michael Jackson
* Hollie Cavanagh, Skylar Laine and Jessica Sanchez - "Like a Prayer"/ "Borderline"/ "Express Yourself" by Madonna

### Top 8 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 8 performed a song from the 1980s for a spot in the Top 7.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:DeAndre Brackensick.png
**DeAndre Brackensick** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 7 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on April 5, 2012.

#### Top 7

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 7**.
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* Hollie Cavanagh *(bottom 3)*
* Jessica Sanchez
* Phillip Phillips
* Colton Dixon

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* Elise Testone *(bottom 3)*
* Joshua Ledet
* Skylar Laine

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* DeAndre Brackensick - "I Like It" by DeBarge
* Elise Testone - "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner
* Phillip Phillips - "That's All" by Genesis
* Joshua Ledet - "If You Don't Know Me by Now" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
* Jessica Sanchez - "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston
* Hollie Cavanagh - "Flashdance... What A Feeling" by Irene Cara
* Colton Dixon - "Time After Time" - Cyndi Lauper
* Skylar Laine - "Wind Beneath My Winds" by Bette Midlir

Group Performances:

* Colton Dixon and Skylar Laine - "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rodgers and Dolly Parton
* DeAndre Brackensick and Hollie Cavanagh - "I'm So Excited" by The Pointer Sisters
* Phillip Phillips and Elise Testone - "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty
* Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez - "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" by Aretha Franklin and George Michael

### Top 7 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 7 performed a song from the 2010s for a spot in the Top 6.

#### Saved Contestant

File:Jessica Sanchez.png
The judges used their save on **Jessica Sanchez** who received the lowest amount of votes on April 19, 2012. The total was kept to 7 contestants.

#### Top 7

The following contestants were safe from that round and remained in the **Top 7**.
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* Hollie Cavanagh
* Jessica Sanchez *(bottom 3)*
* Phillip Phillips
* Colton Dixon

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* Elise Testone *(bottom 3)*
* Joshua Ledet *(bottom 3)*
* Skylar Laine

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Skylar Laine - "Didn't Know How Much I Loved You" by Kellie Pickler
* Colton Dixon - "Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem feat. Rihanna
* Jessica Sanchez - "Stuttering" by Jazmine Sullivan
* Joshua Ledet - "Runaway Baby" by Bruno Mars
* Hollie Cavanagh - "Perfect" by Pink
* Phillip Phillips - "Give a Little More" by Maroon 5
* Elise Testone - "You and I" by Lady Gaga

Group Performance on performance night:

* Phillip Phillips and Elise Testone - "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye & Kimbra
* Colton Dixon and Skylar Laine - "Don't You Wanna Stay" by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson
* Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez - "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" by Kelly Clarkson

Group Performance on results night:

* "Raise Your Glass" by Pink

### Top 7 perform (redux)

During this round of the finals, the Top 7 performed songs from Now & Then for a spot in the Top 6. Normall, two finalists would be eliminated the week after using the judges' save, however, the program announced that only one of the finalists will be eliminated.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Colton Dixon.png
**Colton Dixon** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 6 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on April 19, 2012.

#### Top 6

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 6**.
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* Hollie Cavanagh *(bottom 3)*
* Jessica Sanchez
* Phillip Phillips

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* Elise Testone *(bottom 3)*
* Joshua Ledet
* Skylar Laine

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Hollie Cavanagh - "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele
* Colton Dixon - "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga
* Elise Testone - "No One" by Alicia Keys
* Phillip Phillips - "U Got It Bad" by Usher
* Jessica Sanchez - "Fallin" Alicia Keys
* Skylar Laine - "Born This Way" Lady Gaga
* Joshua Ledet - "I Believe" by Fantasia Barrino
* Hollie Cavanagh - "Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield
* Colton Dixon - "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
* Elise Testone - "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
* Phillip Phillips - "In the Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett
* Jessica Sanchez - "Try a Little Tenderness" by Ray Noble Orchestra and Val Rosing
* Skylar Laine - "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
* Joshua Ledet - "A Change Is Gonna Come: by Sam Cooke

Group Performance:

* "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas

### Top 6 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 6 performed a song from Queen or their own choice for a spot in the Top 5.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Elise Testone.png
**Elise Testone** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 5 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on April 26, 2012.

#### Top 5

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 5**.
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* Hollie Cavanagh *(bottom 3)*
* Jessica Sanchez
* Phillip Phillips
* Joshua Ledet
* Skylar Laine *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The first half of the performances were songs produced by Queen, and the second half of the performances was a song of contestant's choice. The contestants performed in the following order:

* Jessica Sanchez - "Bohemian Rhapsody"
* Skylar Laine - "The Show Must Go On"
* Joshua Ledet - "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"
* Elise Testone - "I Want It All"
* Phillip Phillips - "Fat Bottomed Girls"
* Hollie Cavanagh - "Save Me"
* Jessica Sanchez - "Dance with My Father" by Luther Vandross
* Skylar Laine - "Tattoos on This Town" by Jason Aldean
* Joshua Ledet - "Ready for Love" by India.Arie
* Elise Testone - "Bold as Love" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
* Phillip Phillips - "The Stone" by Dave Matthews Band
* Hollie Cavanagh - "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus

Group Performance:

* Brian May and Roger Taylor with group - "Fat Bottomed Girls" / "Another One Bites the Dust" / "We Will Rock You" / "We Are the Champions" by Queen

### Top 5 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 5 performed songs that is British Pop and from the 1960s for a spot in the Top 4.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Skylar Laine.png
**Skylar Laine** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 4 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on May 3, 2012.

#### Top 4

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 4**.
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* Hollie Cavanagh *(bottom 2)*
* Jessica Sanchez
* Phillip Phillips
* Joshua Ledet

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Hollie Cavanagh - "River Deep - Mountain High" by Ike and Tina Turner
* Phillip Phillips - "The Letter" by The Box Tops
* Skylar Laine - "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
* Jessica Sanchez - "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
* Joshua Ledet - "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations
* Hollie Cavanagh - "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
* Phillip Phillips - "Time of the Season" by The Zombies
* Skylar Laine - "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield
* Jessica Sanchez - "You Are So Beautiful" by Billy Preston
* Joshua Ledet - "To Love Somebody" by Bee Gees

Group Performances:

* Joshua Ledet and Phillip Phillips - "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by The Righteous Brothers
* Hollie Cavanagh, Skylar Laine, and Jessica Sanchez - "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson

### Top 4 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 4 performed a song from California or a song they wished they'd written for a spot in the Top 3.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Hollie Cavanagh.png
**Hollie Cavanagh** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 3 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on May 10, 2012.

#### Top 3

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 3**.
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* Jessica Sanchez
* Phillip Phillips
* Joshua Ledet

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Phillip Phillips - "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
* Hollie Cavanagh - "Faithfully" by Journey
* Joshua Ledet - "You Raise Me Up" by Secret Garden
* Jessica Sanchez - "Steal Away" by Jimmy Hughes
* Phillip Phillips - "Volcano" by Damien Rice
* Hollie Cavanagh - "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt
* Joshua Ledet - "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown
* Jessica Sanchez - "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Holiday

Group Performances on performance night:

* Joshua Ledet and Phillip Phillips - "This Love" by Maroon 5
* Hollie Cavanagh and Jessica Sanchez - "Eternal Flame" by The Bangles
* Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez - "Waiting for a Girl Like You" by Foreigner

Group Performance on results night:

* "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas & the Papas

### Top 3 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 3 performed a song of the Judge's choice, a song of their own choice, and a song of Jimmy Iovine's choice for a spot in the Top 2.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Joshua Ledet.png
**Joshua Ledet** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 2 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on May 17, 2012.

#### Top 2

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 2**.
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* Jessica Sanchez
* Phillip Phillips

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#### Performances

(The first round of performances were chosen by the judges, the second round was the contestant's choice, and the final round was Jimmy Iovine's Choice). The contestants performed in the following order:

* Joshua Ledet - "I'd Rather Go Blind" by Ellington Jordan (chosen by Randy Jackson)
* Jessica Sanchez - "My All" by Mariah Carey (chosen by Jennifer Lopez)
* Phillip Phillips - "Beggin'" by The Four Seasons (chosen by Steven Tyler)
* Joshua Ledet - "Imagine" by John Lennon
* Jessica Sanchez - "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith
* Phillip Phillips - "Disease" by Matchbox Twenty
* Joshua Ledet - "No More Drama" by Mary J. Blige
* Jessica Sanchez - "I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5
* Phillip Phillips - "We've Got Tonight" by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

Group Performance:

* "Got to Get You into My Life" by The Beatles

### Top 2 perform

During the final round of the finals, the Top 2 performed a song of Simon Fuller's choice, a song of the contestant's favorite performance, and their winner single for a spot as Season 11's **American Idol**.

#### Runner-up

File:Jessica Sanchez.png
**Jessica Sanchez** was announced the runner-up of American Idol Season 11 on May 23, 2012.

#### Performances

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

* Jessica Sanchez - "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston
* Phillip Phillips - "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King
* Jessica Sanchez - "The Prayer" by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli
* Phillip Phillips - "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" by Billy Joel
* Jessica Sanchez - "Change Nothing"
* Phillip Phillips - "Home"

### Winner

File:Phillip Phillips.png
**Phillip Phillips** was announced the winner of American Idol Season 11 on May 23, 2012.

## Elimination song

The elimination song for season 11 was "Please Remember Me" by season 10 winner Scotty McCreery. The song, originally recorded in 1995 by country singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, was a hit for country music superstar Tim McGraw in 1999.

## Controversies

### Jermaine Jones disqualification

On March 14, 2012, contestant Jermaine Jones was disqualified after it had been revealed that he had not only been arrested twice but had concealed both arrests as well as the outstanding warrants from show producers. Jones denied it, claiming that he had admitted to the arrests when he signed up for the show. A police official in a New Jersey town where Jones was the target of the outstanding warrants said that "the case wasn't big enough to merit going after him", and that for Idol to "expose, embarrass and interrogate a young man without an attorney in front of 40 million viewers was an outrage." Critics suggested that the disqualification may have been staged to help boost the show's ratings, which have been going down in recent years.

### Jennifer Lopez music video

The music video for Lopez's song, "Dance Again", which had aired on the show, was criticized as inappropiate for younger viewers. Dan Gainor of the Culture and Media Institute wrote, "Even the supposedly family-friendly TV shows like American Idol are never safe in the hands of Hollywood," and went as far as saying her "skanky new video shows how desperate she is to retain her fame despite her fading relevance. Such sexualized videos aren't appropiate for any children to watch, including Lopez's own twins." Jenna Hally Rubenstein from MTV Buzzworthy also commented about the video's content not being appropiate for a family show, "we thought 'Idol' was a family show? This video is less 'sit on the couch and chill with dad' and more 'call your boyfriend over immediately'". Ed Masley from AZCentral.com said that the video was on the verge of being too "steamy" for the show.

### Gender and ethnic biases

Phillip Phillips became the 5th consecutive male and white person to win the show, which lead to some viewers and critics accusing American Idol of having gender and ethnic biases. The bias towards the so-called "white guy with guitar"(WGWG) has been widely commented on, with some complaining about the predictability of the likely winner. The string of white guitar-playing male winners includes David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, and Scotty McCreery who won seasons 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively. Just hours before the finale, Richard Rushfield, author of the book *American Idol: The Untold Story*, said, "You have this alliance between young girls and grandmas and they see it, not necessarily as a contest to create a pop star competing on comtemporary radio, but as.....who's the nicest guy in a popularity contest," he said. "And this has led to a dynasty of 4, and possibly now 5, consecutive, affable, very nice, good-looking white boys."

## Notable past Idol contestants

* George Horga, Jr., who got cut in Hollywood week, later auditioned for season 5 of *The Voice*and got R&B singer Cee Lo Green as his mentor. He was eliminated in the Knockout Rounds.
* Agina Alvarez, who was cut in Hollywood week, later auditioned for season 4 of *The Voice*and got Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine as her mentor. She was eliminated in the Battle Rounds.
* Jared Keim, 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 Colton Pack, who left the group to pursue a solo career.

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