THE SCREENING ROOM: Jennifer Holliday, Fantasia, Jordin Sparks and More Perform on "American Idol" Finale (Video)

By Michael Gioia
24 May 2012

Phillip Phillips was crowned "American Idol" on the May 23 two-hour season finale. Before he was announced as winner of the Fox singing competition, Tony winner Jennifer Holliday, former contestants and Broadway stars took to the "Idol" stage at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE.

Holliday, who is best know for her Tony-winning performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls, sang with "Idol" runner-up Jessica Sanchez. The duo performed "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," Holliday's signature show-stopping power ballad from Dreamgirls and a song that Sanchez performed earlier this season in the competition.

Also featured on the season finale were Season Six winner Jordin Sparks, who was seen on Broadway in In the Heights; Season Three winner Fantasia, who appeared in Broadway's The Color Purple; and newly engaged couple Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo, former "Idol" contestants who appeared together on Broadway in Hair.

Here are the performances and highlights from the Season 11 "Idol" grand finale.

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The top 12 "Idol" finalists performing "Runaway Baby" by Bruno Mars:

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