Kudos to American Idol for hosting another season finale Sunday night that was at times touching, at other times fun, but always entertaining.
As usual for such events, guest stars were on hand, from Jon Bon Jovi to Hootie and the Blowfish to Jason Mraz and New Kids on the Block.
But the great thing about American Idol is that when those guest stars take the stage, they’re almost always accompanied by one or more of that season’s contestants.
The result is a finale that always feels like a celebration of the season about to be completed, and not just for the finalists.
Sunday night, every member of the Season 22 Top 12 got a chance to enjoy the Idol spotlight one last time, a fitting tribute considering the talent those singers brought to the show over the past three months.
Speaking of tributes, the show also said farewell to Katy Perry on Sunday in a couple of segments that managed to salute her without detracting from the night’s main purpose, the crowing of a new Idol champ.
The Season 12 ladies, for instant, paid tribute to Katy by singing a medley of her hits, a performance that had her jumping atop of the judges’ table.
She repaid the compliment when it was her turn to perform, taking the stage in a dress adorned with photos of the Season 22 contestants.
Here’s a photo gallery of some of those special moments from Sunday’s show.
See also …
Abi Carter’s winning night on American Idol
Song by song grades for the Top 3 on American Idol
Katy Perry offering feedback following a performance on her last episode as a judge on American Idol. (ABC Photo)
Julia Gagnon performing with Jason Mraz on the American Idol season finale Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter, Will Moseley and Jack Blocker perform together as the American Idol season finale opens Sunday Night. (ABC Photo)
Triston Harper performs with Cody Johnson on the American Idol season finale Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Jayna Elise performs with Seal on the American Idol finale Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Kaibrienne performs with James Bay during Sunday’s American Idol season finale. (ABC Photo)
McKenna Faith Breinholt performs during a medley of Katy Perry hits on American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Roman Collins performs with CeCe Winans on the American Idol finale Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Mia Matthews and Luke Bryan perform together on the American Idol finale Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter performs with Bishop Briggs on the American Idol finale Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Emmy Russell performs ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ with Wynonna on the American Idol finale Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Kayko strikes a pose following a performance with New Kids on the Block Sunday night on American Idol. (ABC Photo)
Will Moseley performs a medley of hits with Hootie and the Blowfish on American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Jack Blocker takes the stage for a special duet with Katy Perry during the American Idol season finale on Sunday. (ABC Photo)
Season 14 American Idol champ Nick Fradiani returns to the show as a guest performer Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Fantasia with Ryan Seacrest on the 20th anniversary of winning Season 3 of American Idol Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Katy Perry performs on her final episode as an American Idol judge Sunday night. (ABC Photo)
Abi Carter American Idol Emmy Russell Jack Blocker Jayna Elise Julia Gagnon Kaibrienne Katy Perry Kayko McKenna Faith Breinholt Mia Matthews Roman Collins Triston Harper Will Moseley
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