American Idol season 12

American Idol
Season 12
Hosted byRyan Seacrest
Judges
WinnerCandice Glover
Runner-upKree Harrison
Finals venueNokia Theatre L.A. Live
MentorJimmy Iovine
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseJanuary 16 (2013-01-16) –
May 16, 2013 (2013-05-16)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 11
Next →
Season 13
List of episodes

The twelfth season of American Idol premiered on January 16, 2013, as part of the mid-season of the 2012–13 network television season.[1] Ryan Seacrest returned as host. Randy Jackson returned for his twelfth season as judge and was joined by new judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, and Keith Urban, who replaced Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

On May 16, 2013, Candice Glover was crowned the winner, defeating Kree Harrison, who was the runner-up. In a series first, Glover's debut album, Music Speaks, was available for preorder immediately following the finale broadcast. Both Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj left after this season, having only served on the judges panel for one season, to focus on their music careers.[2][3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference auditionthree was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Mariah Carey not returning to Idol". ABC News. May 31, 2013. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  3. ^ Nicki Minaj Confirms 'American Idol' Exit Archived June 7, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved May 31, 2013