The contestants in the "American Idol" final performance show perform three songs each. The first round requires the contestants to sing their favorite song of the season. The second song is chosen by one of the performer's idols. The final song is the song that the contestants are going to sing if they are chosen as the winner of "American Idol." These three songs are ultimately judged to determine whether or not they win the competition.
The results show follows the performance show by one day. This day is intended to give the public the chance to vote for their winner. Voting takes place phone or online. The contest is solely decided by the public vote. Some people will vote for their favorite throughout the series, regardless of the last performance, and others will decide based on the final performance.
The last aired show of "American Idol" each year is the one in which the results of the nationwide vote are revealed. At the final results show, the performers get the opportunity to sing a song with a musical hero of theirs. For example, Scotty McCreery (2011 winner) sang "Live Like You Were Dying" with Tim McGraw. Previous contestants also get the opportunity to sing with their heroes, for example Casey Abrams (2011 contestant) sang "Fat Bottomed Girls" with Jack Black in the final results show. Famous pop stars also give a performance during the final results show. Time is also set aside to celebrate the judges' best moments throughout the series.
The votes are counted, and host Ryan Seacrest announces the winner of "American Idol." To finish the show, the winner performs her future release one more time. This is the lastl song that is sung on the final results show.