Candice Glover Is The New American Idol. First Woman To Win Idol in Six Years

The new American Idol for Season 12 is Candice Glover. The 23-year-old Glover beat out Kree Harrison to take the "American Idol" crown.

Candice Glover is the first female winner since Jordin Sparks won "American Idol" Season 6, six years ago. This season was the third time Glover tried out for "American Idol." There must be something to the old saying, "the third time is a charm."

According to yahoo.com, the "American Idol" finale opened with a group number featuring the Top 10 contestants singing The Wanted's "Glad You Came" to an audience filled with past "Idol" winners and contestants. Janelle Arthur took the stage with The Band Perry and the Top 5 "Idol" boys sang a medley with surprise guest star, Frankie Valli. Valli is the legendary lead singer of the Four Seasons, a band that enjoyed many number one hits back in the 1960s and 1970s.

Mariah Carey then finally took to the "American Idol" stage to sing a medley of hits, including her current single "#Beautiful."

In addition to Valli, there were plenty more celebrity cameos. Emeli Sande joined fourth runner-up Amber Holcomb to sing her hit "Next To Me" and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson showed up to sing "Inseparable" with Candice Glover, yahoo reported.

Angie Miller sang "Titanium" with Adam Lambert and then did a surprise duet with Jessie J. The singer then invited Miller to appear with her on tour.

The Top 5 "Idol" women also did a medley with Aretha Franklin via satellite. The special guests didn't stop there: Jennifer Lopez returned to "American Idol" and performed with Pitbull.

"American Idol" returns for Season 13 in January 2014.