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KEITH, JENNIFER, LADY A AND DARIUS MAKE APPEARANCES ON SEASON FINALE OF ‘AMERICAN IDOL.’ (AUDIO)

KEITH, JENNIFER, LADY A AND DARIUS MAKE APPEARANCES ON SEASON FINALE OF ‘AMERICAN IDOL.’ (AUDIO)

American Idol will crown the Season 13 winner – either Jena Asciutto or Caleb Johnson will be named the winner during the two-hour series finale Wednesday (May 21st). There will be several star-filled performances on the show, including one possibly from the judges’ panel made up of Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr., and maybe even mentor Randy Jackson. Jennifer Nettles is set to perform with Jessica Meuse, who placed fourth in the competition, for a special duet. Lady Antebellum will make the television debut of their new single “Bartender” on the show on Wednesday, and Darius Rucker, KISS, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Jason Mraz and Paramore are scheduled to make appearances, as well.

Keith says contestants appearing on American Idol have something to build on with the audience who watch the show, but it takes much more than that to ensure you have a music career. “It’s a huge moment. There’s no question about it, but at this point of a career, you look back and you also know that work that really is involved now to make this thing really matter, because winning it doesn’t instantly send you off into the stratosphere,” says Keith. “There’s tremendous amounts of work to be done as soon as that happens. So, I always hope they have that sort of sense of work ethic and dedication to make the most of it.”

The show wraps up for the season on Wednesday (May 21st) at 8pm ET.

Audio / Keith Urban (American Idol opps)

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AUDIO: Keith Urban talks about all of the great opportunities a contestant on American Idol can receive.

Keith Urban (American Idol opps) OC: …pretty enticing. :35
“Despite the audience you can get during that show, which is in the multi-millions of people get to see you week after week after week – that’s something you can really build on. I think that’s one of the great things about that show. On the other side, there’s a real record company involved, there’s real producers and songwriters and everybody’s in the team. So, if you’ve got something special as an artist, that’s an extraordinary place to be. It’s an extraordinary team and community to you find yourself in. And certainly the success we’ve seen with Carrie [Underwood] and the rest of what you can do with that show is pretty enticing.”

Audio / Keith Urban (American Idol finale)

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AUDIO: Keith Urban says you need to have a strong work ethic even after appearing on American.

Keith Urban (American Idol finale) OC: …most of it. :30
“That moment is really, at that age, at that point in your career, it’s everything. It’s a huge moment. There’s no question about it, but at this point of a career, you look back and you also know that work that really is involved now to make this thing really matter, because winning it doesn’t instantly send you off into the stratosphere. There’s tremendous amounts of work to be done as soon as that happens. So, I always hope they have that sort of sense of work ethic and dedication to make the most of it.”