American Idol 2013 winner Candice Glover was in tears after her name was called as the Idol Season 12 champion. Kree Harrison is the runner-up, even as many viewers predicted she would grab the win this year.

Glover, 23, had auditioned three times on American Idol. For this South Carolina diva, the third time's a charm, indeed. Last year, Candice was with Idol 2012 runner-up Jessica Sanchez and Top 10 finalist Deandre Brackensick during Hollywood group rounds. Judges Stevie Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson sent her home after the group number.

Among Candice Glover's most memorable numbers on Idol include her take on Mariah Carey's and the late Whitney Houston's "Miracle." She performed the inspiration song on the week of the ill-fated Boston marathon bombing. Carey herself walked up the stage to literally shower Candice Glover with glitter after young singer belted out The Cure's Lovesong in a compelling number.

Several celebrity guests graced the American Idol 2013 (Season 12) finale at the Nokia Theatre L.A. in Los Angeles. The Band Perry, Frankie Valli, Emeli Sandé, Psy, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Jessie J and Jennifer Lopez all performed live on the Idol stage. Aretha Franklin also checked in for a performance with the Top 5 girls via a live video feed from New York.

American Idol fans were also treated to a couple of numbers from Keith Urban and Randy Jackson. Mariah Carey performed a medley of some of her biggest hits, drawing wild cheers from the audience. Only Nicki Minaj stayed at the judge's table throughout the show.

Jordin Sparks, American Idol 2007 winner also appeared in a fun video making fun of the fact that the Top 5 boys were taken out of the competition five weeks in a row. Sparks, the last female Idol champ, jokingly tells the boys, they've been sabotaged because it's been 5 years since Idol crowned a girl. (Careful, Idol producers. Jokes are half-meant, so they say.)

Did America make the right choice between Candice Glover and Kree Harrison?

More 'American Idol 2013, Candice Glover' Articles:

American Idol 2013 Winner: Candice Glover or Kree Harrison? Results Night Recap (Live Updates)
American Idol 2013 Top 2: 16 Things to Know about WINNER Candice Glover [PHOTOS]
American Idol 2013 Top 2 Finalists: Candice Glover Dishes Everything She's Got with "I (Who Have Nothing)" [READ]

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