American Idol competitors Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips kicked off season 11's finale with an impressive performance show at L.A.'s Nokia Theater.
VIDEO: 'American Idol' 2012: Eliminated Contestants Backstage Interviews
Phillip Phillps and Jessica Sanchez posed alongside judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. On the penultimate performance show, the judges' panel gave kudos to both performers but especially liked the folksy, game-changing song selected for Phillips called "Home."
Jessica Sanchez, the 16-year-old wunderkind from Chula Vista, Calif., performed an effortless cover of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing." Cue the praise from Jennifer Lopez and company.
Phillip Phllips, the 21-year-old heartthrob rocker from Leesburg, Ga., put his signature folk singer-songwriter spin on Ben E. King's "Stand by Me" and Billy Joel's "Movin' Out."
Celebrity guest performer Jason Derulo sang his song "Undefeated" the night before the May 23 finale. Afterward, he revealed to THR that he's a Jessica Sanchez fan and girlfriend Jordin Sparks, who won season six of Idol, was rooting for Phillip Phillips.
Last year's winner, Scotty McCreery, closed out the finale performance show with a sentimental country ballad (naturally) to add emotional oomph to a video montage of the show's past season.
VIDEO: 'American Idol' 2012: Eliminated Contestants Backstage Interviews
In the second of three rounds, Jessica Sanchez performed a soaring rendition of "The Prayer," showcasing all the layers of her soprano voice. For round three, she sang her coronation song, "Change Nothing," a power-pop ballad that fell flat in the judges' eyes. Also: Sanchez, a soul singer at heart, seemed to hate it, too.
"I did not love the song, but what I did love is that you made something more out of the song," said Jackson, while Jennifer Lopez cautioned Sanchez: "When you go to make a record … you have to be able to say to someone, 'this is not me.'"
Phillip Phillips stunned the American Idol studio audience and the judges with his individual coronation number, "Home." "I heard a little Paul Simon in there," declared Steven Tyler. Randy Jackson railed off a number of adjectives such as "perfect," "genius" and "brilliant."
VIDEO: Original 'Home" Versus Phillip Phillip's Version — Who Sang It Better?
On American Idol's season finale, before Ryan Seacrest announced Phillip Phillips as the winner, the 21-year-old singer had the chance to jam with CCR's John Fogerty on "Bad Moon Rising."
VIDEO: Taylor Hicks Talks Phillip Phillips on "Idol Hangover'
Joshua Ledet, season 11's third-place finisher and resident soul man, returned to the stage to perform such songs as the Bee Gees' "You Don't Know What's It's Like." Per usual, he nailed it.
Fantasia Barrino, season-3 winner, returned to the Idol stage to sing a duet with Joshua Ledet, whose nickname is "Mantasia."
VIDEO: 'American Idol' 2012: Eliminated Contestants Backstage Interviews
Chaka Khan made a cameo on the May 23 season finale to perform "I've Every Woman" with Jessica Sanchez, Hollie Cavanagh and the other ladies of season 11.
The superhuman, chart-topping force known as Rihanna performed her latest dance-y single "Where Have You Been," making a Gaga-like entrance by stepping out of a futuristic pyramid contraption. "I love you, Idol!," she declared.
Season-11 castoff Skylar Laine performed a duet with her personal idol, Reba McEntire.
The runner-up reprised her winning version of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."
Neil Diamond performed "Sweet Caroline" with season 11's male contestants, including Joshua Ledet and DeAndre Brackensick.
VIDEO: Taylor Hicks Talks Phillip Phillips on "Idol Hangover'
Judge Jennifer Lopez transformed into Jenny From the Block — complete with a troupe of backup dancers — to perform her single, "Tonight."
VIDEO: THR's 'Idol Worship' Contributors Discuss Their Season-11 Favorites
Ace Young popped the question to Diana DeGarmo in the first-ever American Idol proposal. Lucky for him, she said yes.
VIDEO: 'American Idol': Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler Assess the Final Two
Season six winner Jordin Sparks jumped onstage for a power duet with Hollie Cavanagh.
In what was clearly a dream moment for her, Jessica Sanchez got the chance to sing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" with original Dreamgirl Jennifer Halliday.
Steven Tyler performed with Aerosmith bandmates including guitarist Joe Perry on the May 23 finale. The band introduced their new single, "Legendary Child."
VIDEO: Taylor Hicks Talks Phillip Phillips On 'Idol Hangover'
Moments before the result is announced, Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillps crooned the sweeping romantic song "Up Where We Belong."
Ryan Seacrest prepares to crown Phillip Phillips the winner of season 11 over Jessica Sanchez, season 11's early frontrunner.
Newly crowned Phillip Phillips got emotional as he sang "Home" to close the two-hour finale. He is the fifth male contestant in a row to win American Idol, continuing an all-guy streak at the arguable expense of talented ladies like Jessica Sanchez.