Donna Summer performs during the David Foster and Friends concert at the Mandalay Bay Events Center October 1, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Though ratings for American Idol have declined over the last few years, the vocal competition still knows how deliver a star-studded finale. The season 11 finale which airs tonight, will reportedly feature several tributes to celebrities that died this year.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, this year’s finalists will pay homage to Donna Summer (who performed on the season 7 finale of American Idol in 2008), while the boys will honor Robin Gibb with songs from the Bee Gees.
Disco legends Gloria Gaynor and Thelma Houston will join the contestants to help translate Summer’s classic songbook. The show will include a group performance with Gladys Knight, Sheila E., Jennifer Holiday, Chaka Khan and Nelly Furtado.
WATCH DONNA SUMMER PERFORM ON THE SEASON 7 FINALE OF AMERICAN IDOL HERE
Holiday will team up with Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez for a performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” and season 6 winner Jordin Sparks will join Idol contestant Hollie Cavanaugh for a Broadway show tune.
Third place finisher Joshua Ledet will perform a duet with his personal idol Fantasia Barrino.
Follow Chris Witherspoon on Twitter at @WitherspoonC
