Keith Urban & The Band Perry Perform Before the Season 12 Winner ‘American Idol’ is Announced [VIDEOS]

After the January auditions, Hollywood week and millions of votes, America has crowned the winner of 'American Idol' season 12. After star studded performances from The Band Perry, Keith Urban and Kree Harrison, plus a Jennifer Hudson/Candice Glover duet, Ryan Seacrest delivered the news.

The Winner

Three times really are the charm for Candice Glover who was named this year's American Idol winner after trying out twice before. She was so stunned by the news, all she could say was 'three years.'  Candice did manage to pull it together to sing her new single 'I Am Beautiful' through her tears.

Entertainment

The Band Perry kicked off the celebrity entertainment, singing their new song 'Done' with Janelle Arthur.  Keith Urban performed twice, also singing his new song 'Little Bit of Everything' and teaming up with Kree Harrison for 'Where the Blacktop Ends.'  Former Idol Jennifer Hudson returned to sing with Candice, in one of the best performances of the night.  Both of those girls can SING!

Mariah Carey finally got up on stage to perform a compilation of some of her biggest hits.  Jennifer Lopez returned to sing her new single with Pitbull. The top 5 girls sang with Aretha Franklin via satellite from New York and the guys sang with Frankie Valli. Angie Miller, who came in third, sang with former Idol Adam Lambert and her Idol Jessie J.  Watch the performances below.

Even though Kree didn't win, I anticipate playing her music on the radio in the near future.  She has a great career ahead of her.

American Idol returns in January with a new panel of judges. Randy Jackson has already announced he's leaving and there have been rumors all the judges are gone.  Too bad, I'll really miss watching Keith Urban each week.