'American Idol' Finale: John Fogerty, Neil Diamond, Reba McEntire, Fantasia-Mantasia Mash-Up to Close Out Season

10:30 PM PDT 5/22/2012 by Shirley Halperin, Michele Amabile Angermiller

0
0
0
0
0
Email
Print
Comments

The tribute-heavy night will also feature appearances by Nelly Furtado, Jordin Sparks, Gloria Gaynor, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan and Kristin Chenoweth.

The American Idol season 11 finale will feature several tributes, which should come as little surprise considering the number of celebrity deaths in the news of late.

'American Idol' Recap: Jessica Sanchez Battles Phillip Phillips for Season 11's Crown

Billboard Music Awards 2012: Stevie Wonder Addresses Robin Gibb, Donna Summer Deaths

Justin Timberlake Pays Tribute to Robin Gibb, His 'Idol' (Video)

The Hollywood Reporter has learned that this year’s female finalists will pay homage to the late Donna Summer while the boys will honor the recently departed Robin Gibb with the songs of the Bee Gees.

VIDEO: 'American Idol' Cast-off Joshua Ledet Talks Favorite Moments, the Final Two

Helping the contestants translate the Summer’s classic songbook (the disco queen appeared on the season 7 finale) to a group performance with '70s icons Gloria Gaynor, Thelma Houston and Gladys Knight joined by Nelly Furtado, Sheila E., Jennifer Holliday and, of course, the Season 11 girls (later in the show, they perform with Chaka Khan). In addition, Broadway and Glee star Kristin Chenoweth will trade vocals with finalist Jessica Sanchez on the Summer-Barbra Streisand girl power anthem, “Enough is Enough.”

Among the other stars set to perform with the finalists are John Fogerty, who will duet with Phillip Phillips, Reba McEntire, who will kick up her boots with Skylar Laine and the long-awaited Fantasia-Mantasia mash-up – a no-brainer for second runner-up Joshua Ledet.

VIDEO: 'American Idol': Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler Assess the Final Two

Sanchez will join Dreamgirls soul-mate Holliday for an encore performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” and the boys will sing with Neil Diamond for yet another group number.

Latin superstars Wisin and Yendel will salsa with touring partner and Idol judge Jennifer Lopez, while Hollie Cavanagh will team with Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks for a Broadway showtune.

Previously announced performers include hitmaker Rihanna and rockers Aerosmith.

Tune in on Thursday for all the finale action, capping off five months of Idol madness.

Twitter: @shirleyhalperin