The end is so near the three ladies remaining - Candice Glover, Angie Miller and Kree Harrison - could almost taste it.

But true to American Idol tradition, it's time to take a trip back home first - accompanied by big parades, tearful reunions with family, and friends from former school and workplace. No homecoming is complete, of course, without each contestant treating the hometown crowd to a show.

Homecomings are such an emotional thing to watch, and all four judges were obviously touched, particularly the ladies Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. Even Jimmy Iovine went speechless too.

"I feel like I went home with you," Carey told Candice Glover. She as a judge felt that the trip back home helped a lot in stirring the girls to win it. "You got re-energized when you went home," Carey added.

The rule goes - each contestant will sing three songs: the first one from Iovine, the second from the judges, and the third from the producers of the show. This must be one of the most talented final three throughout AI history, as it proved to be an explosive three-way fight to the end.

For the first round, Iovine went for Miller, for the second he picked Harrison, until Glover slayed the song "Somewhere" from the West Side Story in the third round and was declared by Iovine as the overall winner of the night.

So who will bring home the Idol title next week? With all three ladies giving it their all and are evidently poised for singing careers outside Idol, any of them will be very much deserving. They are without doubt gifted. It will be very hard for the viewers to decide which one is it.

Round 1: Jimmy Iovine's picks

For the first round, Iovine handed Harrison the song "Perfect" by Pink. Keith Urban: "For my ear, you are a country girl. No matter what song you sing, you have a strong signature sound." Nicki Minaj: "You went back to your easygoing Kreedom feel." RandyJackson: "You sounded good, but it didn't have a lot of pizzazz. It was a little flat for me." Carey: "You could have gone further."

For Glover, Iovine picked the song "One" by U2, although Glover veered more towards the Mary J. Blige cover version. Minaj: "You did that justice. The competition just started." Jackson: "I think the third time is going to be a charm for you." Carey: "I sense you weren't that happy with the song. I was with you. We felt it." Urban: "I love that you have so much power." But Urban was quick to add: "You got sharp in a few spots."

Iovine then gave Miller the song "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John. Carey: "I felt that this was one of the best performances I have seen you do." Urban: "I would have been happy with you holding back even more." Minaj: I love how you look tonight. This was a stellar vocal, but you clearly are bringing it to win this competition."

Round 2: Judges' Picks

This time, Candice went first with the judges picking the song "Next to Me," by Emile Sande for her. Urban: "Those opening lyrics are a straight-up clear confession about your man. It was a conversation. At the end you were in the zone melodically riffing. It was so good." Minaj: "I am so proud of you. Congratulations." Jackson: "That was amazing. It shows people how you can be in the modern world today."

For Miller, the judges assigned another Pink song, "Try." Urban: "For me you have never looked so comfortable. Boston strong, baby!" Minaj: You believed every single word. You are Miley Cyrus' long-lost twin." Jackson: "That song fit you like a glove. You sounded amazing." Carey: "You performed like never before. The song has a rock feeling. You really found her place at home, and it's on the stage."

Harrison went last with the song "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts, a tune that perfectly complimented singer's range and style. Minaj: "I don't think people realize how much strength you have to have to be this young and have no parents. You sang it like a pro." Jackson: "You just sang your heart out. That was unbelievably beautiful." Carey: "I am overwhelmed with emotion. I am so in awe of the purity of you when you sing." Urban: "That was the perfect song for you and you sang it so right."

Round 3: Producers' Picks

For the third and final round, Miller was given the emotional ballad "Maybe" again by Sande. Jackson: "I think tonight you became a complete performer." Carey: "The song is in a high key, and you sustained in your belting register for a long time." Urban: "You're finally in your groove. Next week sing a song under the piano." Minaj: "You've come full circle. You are out of your head."

There was an effort to keep the pace of the show up as the judges hand over to Harrison the upbeat song "Better Dig Two" by the Band Perry. Carey: "We see the wild side of Kree this evening. I love to feel the pain when you sing from your soul. I like the sorrow more than the anger." Urban:" I don't know that that's the place for you." Minaj: "Whoever picked that for you should be stoned." Jackson: "It was too ordinary for you."

And then the song that earned a standing ovation from the judges, "Somewhere" from the West Side Story as sang by Glover. Urban: "If you don't want to vote for Candice, call your doctor, you don't have a pulse." Minaj: "See you next week." Jackson: "This is like a singing lesson." Carey: "That was my parent's song and I got even more emotional. Thank you again for making me cry."

So who will it be next week? It would be sad to see any of them go, but on May 16, only one will remain standing as this season's biggest winner. Don't miss it!