Don't Miss:

The American Idol season finale is tonight! This year’s final is a girl power battle with Candice Glover and Kree Harrison both vying for the No. 1 title. As much as we’ve seen their vocals develop over the season, both singers’ styles also got an upgrade, too, as they traded in their girl-next-door wardrobes for stage-ready ensembles. Last night, Glover went rocker-chic route in leather accents and frayed leggings, while Texas native Harrison channeled her inner diva with an elegant floor-length gown. Now we want to know: Who had the most dramatic makeover? Answer in our poll below, and be sure to catch the finale tonight at 8 PM EST on FOX to find out who wins! More

American Idol is back tonight for its twelfth season! Along with the new talent, the show welcomes Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, and Keith Urban to the judge’s panel. Idol originals Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest are back again, but Seacrest told The Today Show that the new season is not the show of old. “Is the show a lot different? Absolutely,” Seacrest told Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie. He’s most likely referring his two new diva co-stars. “These are two very very spirited, strong, individual performers who have had a lot of success that aren’t shy about their opinion.” Catch the first night of the two-part premiere at 8/7c on FOX.

Plus, see Mariah’s transformation!

As American Idol’s sixth winner, what does Jordin Sparks think of the show’s newly appointed judges, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj? “When they got announced, I was really excited,” Sparks told InStyle.com when we caught up with her at last night’s City of Hope gala in Los Angeles honoring  of Halston designer Ben Malka. “I am one of Mariah’s biggest fans ever, and I was very excited to see that she was going to be a part of it.” As for Nicki, the decision “makes sense,” Sparks added. “There are [contestants] who rap, and that’s a talent, too,” she told us. “I know I can’t do it!” Sparks hopes to one day sit behind the table, though not right away. “I got asked [to judge], and I said no initially, because [as a former contestant] I don’t know if I could be that critical of people who are trying so hard,” she said. “Now I’m kind of looking at it like I think I could do it. We’ll see if there’s an offer someday!”

Plus, see AI contestants then and now.

MORE:
• Mariah’s HSN Line
• Celebs Who Started on Reality TV
• Jordin Sparks’ Sparkle Costumes

— Erica Helwick