New American Idol is Candice Glover

AMERICAN IDOL’s dueling divas showdown came to an exhilarating close tonight as Candice Glover was crowned the winner during the live two-hour season finale on FOX. Glover, 23, from St. Helena Island, SC, edged out fellow female finalist Kree Harrison, 22, from Woodville, TX, to win the IDOL title.

Glover capped her coronation on Thursday’s finale by singing “I Am Beautiful,” which is available for download exclusively on www.americanidol.com and iTunes. Glover will release her debut album this summer on 19 Recordings/Interscope Records. The album is available now for pre-order.

The broadcast from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles featured performances by the reunited Top 10 finalists, and a star-studded “who’s who” of the music world. Mariah, Keith and Randy stepped out from behind the judges’ table and wowed the audience. In addition, the show featured performances by Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J, Travis Barker, Season Eight runner-up Adam Lambert, Psy, The Band Perry, Emeli Sandé, Frankie Valli and Aretha Franklin.

On Wednesday night’s final performance show, Candice and Kree each sang three songs. Candice performed “Chasing Pavements,” “I Am Beautiful” and “I (Who Have Nothing)”; and Kree sang “Angel,” “All Cried Out” and “Up To The Mountain.” Also, thanks to the Coca-Cola Perfect Harmony Program, Carly Rae Jepsen performed her new song, “Take A Picture,” which was a collaborative effort between AMERICAN IDOL fans and the pop sensation herself. “Take A Picture” is available for download on www.ai.com/perfectharmony.

Glover joins the ranks of other IDOL winners including Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips.

AMERICAN IDOL® LIVE! returns this summer for another hit tour to showcase the season's talented Top Finalists. The 40-show concert tour launches Saturday, June 29 in St. Louis, MO, and stops in other major cities, including Portland, OR; Houston, TX; Phoenix, AZ; and Miami, FL, before wrapping up in Nashville, TN. Tickets are on sale now at www.americanidol.com/tour and www.aeglive.com.

Audition cities and dates for AMERICAN IDOL Season 13 include Salt Lake City on Wednesday, July 10; San Francisco, CA, on Tuesday, July 16; Detroit, MI, on Sunday, July 21; Atlanta, GA, on Friday, July 26; Boston, MA, on Friday, Aug. 2; Austin, TX, on Wednesday, Aug. 7; and Omaha, NE, on Sunday, Aug. 11. Additional cities, dates and details will be announced on www.americanidol.com.