Among the other invitees were celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, former supermodel, Naomi Campbell, and Simon’s own mother, Julie Cowell, who looked very, very elegant for the occasion.

Here are some pictures that I found!

Images: INF

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Before we get into the goodies, I thought I’d put up a quick poll to find out how you guys are feeling about this sudden change to the judges’ table.  If none of these answers works for you, please feel free to leave me a comment!

Here’s a fun moment from Season 7 when poor Paula was flustered because she got confused after a change was made to the judging process.  I thought it was an understandable mistake but you know how these things get blown out of proportion.

A hopeful gets a little too friendly with Paula Abdul during an audition and sings her a song about stalking and caulking her until security takes him away.  He’s super intense and I have to admit that even I was creeped out and I was in the safety of my own home!

Simon and Paula created this great video and indulged all of the viewers who thought that the pair were either dating, or should get together.  I couldn’t believe that they actually went through with it.  There was a little surprise from Randy at the end.

Paula debuted the music video for her single “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” on American Idol and the crowd seemed to really like it.  Randy is in the video with her and, at the end, a picture of Ryan, Paula and Randy was shown and I thought it was pretty cute!

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She described their little group as a “dysfunctional family of sorts” and added that she is “the nurturing mom, Simon [Cowell]’s the disapproving dad, and Randy [Jackson]’s the cool brother.  It’s been an interesting journey. It’s something that I’ll always would want to be a part of.”

While details about an actually renewed contract have yet to emerge, I do think this is a positive sign that the judging panel will not be too different from last year.   I think that Paula should remain with this show until it’s pulled off the air.  I don’t know if I would watch it if the judges were different.

You might have noticed that in her statement, Paula didn’t mention the newest judge, Kara DioGuardi.  I don’t know if that is just because Kara is so new or if Paula doesn’t think the other woman on the panel belongs in their “dysfunctional family.”  Either way, I hope Kara gets to come back.  One season wasn’t enough and I’m sure it was tough for her to be the “new kid.”  Hopefully, she will have more confidence and will feel more comfortable coming up with her own critiques.

Then again, maybe it’s better with three since there’s a good, bad and middle?  It’s hard to say because I also have watched the Canadian, British and French versions and they all work just fine with four judges.  It’s lame that these four couldn’t find a way to make it work.

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

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Randy told Spinner: "I am so saddened by the loss of a great idol and icon, Michael Jackson," the ‘American Idol‘ judge tells Spinner. "He was, to me, the greatest entertainer of all time. He was a huge inspiration for performers across all music genres. He taught us all how to light up the stage. Wow."

While speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Paula said: "Words cannot begin to express my heartfelt sorrow upon hearing the new of Michael Jackson’s passing. I was blessed to be able to work with, and witness first hand, his tremendous talent and growth through the years as he truly became an icon. Today we have all lost a legend who has touched each of our lives through his music and showmanship over the past five decades."

It’s been floating around that Paula, who has worked with Janet Jackson in the past, could help choreograph an episode of So You Think You Can Dance that will pay tribute to the late King of Pop.  I hope it works out – that would be amazing!

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I’m glad I didn’t fall for that (even though it might be true) since E! Online is saying that Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and newest judge, Kara DioGuardi, are still negotiating.  Apparently, Paula’s agent said: "The RadarOnline info is incorrect. Negotiations are continuing. You probably won’t hear anything until closer to September, when judges are needed back to go on the road."

So, what would you like to see happen?  I’d actually like to see another season with all four judges.  I don’t think one year is enough to judge the addition of a fourth judge.

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

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Of course, there were the finalists, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, along with the rest of the Top 13 and judges but the celebrities (and former contestants) came out in droves to see who would win the singing competition. 

It looks like season four winner, Carrie Underwood, hurt her knee somehow since she’s got her “owie” all covered up with four Hello Kitty bandaids. She still managed to look absolutely fabulous!

SEE MORE GREAT RED CARPET PICS AFTER THE JUMP!

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After they checked in with the hometowns of finalists, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, the Top 13 performed Pink’s hit song “So What?”  I am not sure why they picked this since I don’t think it works well as a group number.  It sounds kind of cheesy to be honest.  Kudos to Scott MacIntyre (Idol’s first visually impaired contestant) for navigating his way through the performance!

American Idol season 7 winner, David Cook, performed a song called “Permanent” and I really liked it.  He really is an impressive artist and I’m so happy with how great his career has progressed since the show ended.

More “Golden Idol Awards” (these are a little mean, aren’t they?).  They showed clips of the worst auditions of this season.  I am ashamed to admit that I could not stop laughing!  It great to see a whole highlight reel of Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle material.  He won, of course

Queen Latifah took the stage along with former contestant, Lil Rounds.  They performed “Cue the Rain” and it was a pretty good performance.  Did you like it?

Jason Mraz, along with former finalists, Anoop Desai and Alexis Grace, sang his huge hit “I’m Yours” (the rest of the Top 13) and I really thought it was a bit choppy and off.  I really love Jason Mraz and he was great but it felt a little strained and weird. 

We next got to see “The Journey of Kris Allen” and those montages always give me the chills.  I love to see how far they’ve come since we first saw the finalists in the audition round.

Kris thrilled his fans by coming out on stage with Keith Urban where they sang “Kiss a Girl” and I thought it was fabulous!

The great pairing just made the girls’ group performance stand out as mediocre.  Okay, really it was mostly Jasmine Murray who was seriously struggling (as she did in the Top 13 group number earlier) as she and Megan Joy started by singing “Glamorous.”  Allison Iraheta introduced Fergie who sang “Big Girls Don’t Cry” but the action didn’t stop there. 

The rest of the Black Eyed Peas came out and they performed their new single “Boom Boom Pow.”  It was an awesome performance and, is it just me, or is Fergie looking better these days?

Yuck, we get to see Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell again as a nominee(and winner) for the “Golden Idol Awards” in the “Best Attitude” category.  Why does she get to sing?  Ugh.  She butchered “Vision of Love” and I’m wondering if Nick Cannon is going to come out and defend his wife, Mariah Carey’s honor this time.  Uh oh.  Kara DioGuardi, Bikini Girl’s nemesis, came out on the stage and stole the spotlight by not only outsinging her but by also flashing her own bikini on stage.  That was awesome!

Allison Iraheta and Cyndi Lauper performed “Time After Time” and I thought it was a pretty great pairing.  It was a nice, mellow performance.  There were a couple weird moments but they are both, um, unique artists so what can you expect?

After Ryan talked to Kris Allen’s parents, Danny Gokey sang “Hello” (yikes, not sure I would have been brave enough to since that song after David Cook slayed it last season) and was joined by Lionel Richie and they sang some of Richie’s other music.

We got to see “The Journey of Adam Lambert” and then he took the stage with KISS.  Does it get much better than that?  I loved his outfit too!  I absolutely LOVE KISS and the fireworks and makeup are the only thing this year that has been more over-the-top than Adam Lambert on Idol.  What a show!

Carlos Santana had the bad luck to follow KISS and Adam Lambert but he was amazing, of course.  I love Santana.  He was joined by Matt Giraud and then the rest of the Top 13 when he started playing “Smooth.”  So good. 

After a Ford commercial with Adam, Kris and David Cook, Steve Martin took the stage with Michael Sarver and Megan Joy.  It was a cute banjo/bluegrassy kind of number. 

The Top 13 guys sang a group number where they performed “If You Want My Body” and introduced Rod Stewart.  I love him too!  He sounded a little rough but who cares!?

The last “Golden Idol Award” was awarded to Tatiana Del Toro for Outstanding Female.  She ran up on stage (even though Ryan pretended he needed to go to a break), accepted her award and started signing “Saving All My Love For You.”  Gotta love Tatiana.

For one last time, the Top 2 are singing together.  Kris and Adam sang “We Are The Champions” and it was really good.  I’m freaking out.  I don’t even know who I want to win tonight. 

Over 100 million votes were cast (recording breaking!).

FIND OUT WHO WON AMERICAN IDOL AFTER THE JUMP!

The winner of the eighth season of American Idol is… KRIS ALLEN!!!!!  I can’t believe this!  WOW!!!!!!!!!

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Ray Mickshaw / FOX

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OK! magazine’s current cover story claims that there is a huge rift between American Idol judges, Kara DioGuardi and Paula Abdul.  Even in the article about Simon, the mag says that during this week’s show, the ladies were barely able to look at each other.  I have to disagree with OK! because Kara and Paula were dancing together during Matt Giraud’s “sing for your life” performance (although, I had to admit that it did look fake). 

Simon said: "They both seem to get along well.  As far as I’m concerned, we’ll all be back on it next year… There’s no weirdness going on behind the scenes."

What do you think?  Are things weird between the judges?  They can deny it all they want to but I think something is wrong.  You can just see how Kara is not only left out of stuff but she’s mocked and even ignored at times.  Simon and Paula seemed to be making an extra effort to be friendly just to leave Kara out, in my opinion.  It’s pretty strange but I will say that I respect Randy since he seems to be the only one of the original three judges to be taking the high road.

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Michael Becker / FOX

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I know they are asked this question all the time but I think it is interesting that Jay is having them privately write down their prediction so that he can keep it a secret until the finale.  I wonder if not being put on the spot and being able to think through their answer will make a difference.  Randy and Simon claim that a guy will win (they named Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert) but then Simon cracked me up by including “Little” Rounds (I’m sure he can say “Lil” by now, right?).

image: NBC Photo: Margaret Norton

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She chose to go with an all black outfit. I’m not completely sold on the dress, but I thought she was definitely wearing a hot pair of shoes and her hair looked great! Were you digging J-Hud’s style?

More after the jump!

images © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

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