American Idol Season 11 Finale Recap: Phillip Phillips is the New ‘Idol’

This is it. The last results show, and the final broadcast of American Idol Season 11.

Host Ryan Seacrest announced at the beginning of the show, "a staggering 132 million votes came in." Finalists Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips were asked if they got any sleep. Jessica said she got a little sleep, while Phillip slept like a baby. He had about nine-and-a-half or ten hours in dreamland.

John Fogerty, the former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman, was in the house for a "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" duet with Phillip. Both of them visibly had fun on the Idol stage.

"It's just an honor to be on stage with John Fogerty," Phillip said before they got into their second song, "Bad Moon Rising." Phillip held his own, but when Fogerty broke into a solo, Phillip stepped back like a true music fan and just took in the moment.

Third placer Joshua Ledet came out next, and had a duet with Fantasia Barrino. They took on Elton John's "Take Me to the Pilot." Fourth placer Hollie Cavanagh sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" much later into the show, and she was joined by Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks.

Fans saw a hilarious montage of silly bloopers from the AI reel. Mentor Jimmy Iovine had to apologize to judge Jennifer Lopez because it's been shown that he often mistakenly called JLo, Jessica.

Chaka Khan was also in the house for a medley of her songs with the girls in the Top 12. She took the kids to school with a screamfest. Fans of vocal acrobats must have been stoked.

It's Christmas for Ford! The car company gave out four cars: one each for the finalists' mentors, and one each for the finalists themselves. Rihanna performed "Where Have You Been" after the Ford bit.

Skylar Laine's turn: Reba McEntire joined her on stage. It's a shame Skylar's best moment on Idol happened three weeks after her elimination. Then Jessica Sanchez came back on stage to sing, "I Will Always Love You."

Up next, the boys of Season 11 got Neil Diamond! Everyone who missed Heejun Han and Colton Dixon had a blast seeing them back on stage. The guys came back later in the show for a Robin Gibb tribute.

In another finale special, Randy Jackson got a phonebook from Scotty McCreery! A surprise came up next, but it is better left out of this recap. Enough to say something happened after Jennifer Lopez performed two songs.

Up next, Jessica Sanchez got to sing "And I'm Telling You" with Jennifer Holliday. This one's a huge treat for those who celebrate mad vocal skills.

Next act: Aerosmith. Ryan Seacrest said he waited for two years to introduce them for a performance on Idol.

After the finalists sang a duet of "Up Where We Belong," the lights were dimmed. And the winner was announced. Phillip Phillips is the new American Idol.