In a series first, Glover's debut album, Music Speaks, was available for preorder immediately following the finale broadcast.

[4] After two seasons, judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler announced their exits from the series on July 12 and 13, 2012, respectively.

[10] Producer Nigel Lythgoe indicated on January 9, 2013, that during the Hollywood rounds, the men and women would perform on separate weeks, and be matched in equal number right up until the top 10 live shows.

Alumni performers included Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Katharine McPhee, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Adam Lambert, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Phillip Phillips, Colton Dixon, and Jessica Sanchez.

[15] Auditions took place in the following cities:[16][17] For the first time, the Hollywood rounds were held in the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge, California.

The judges selected 20 men and 20 women to perform in front of a live studio audience at Love by Cirque De Soleil at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

The top 20 semifinalists performed in front of a live studio audience at Love by Cirque De Soleil at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

Aubrey Cleland and Charlie Askew each finished in sixth place, so they faced off against each other on March 14 to determine who would be invited to join the top 10 on the 2013 American Idol summer tour.

Before the results were announced, Charlie Askew and Aubrey Cleland, who each finished in 6th place in the semifinals, were each given a chance to perform, vying for the opportunity to join the top 10 on the 2013 summer.

Color key: A video was leaked to TMZ in October 2012 which showed Nicki Minaj erupting in a tirade against Mariah Carey during the audition in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[35] Ryan Seacrest said that the dispute "went a little too far,"[36] while Keith Urban jokingly said "I was the UN,"[37] and the feud elicited a comment from President Barack Obama that Carey and Minaj would "sort it out.

"[38] In an interview with Barbara Walters on The View that aired on January 7, 2013, Carey said that due to Minaj's threats, it "felt like an unsafe work environment," and claimed that she had boosted her personal security.

Carey's then-husband Nick Cannon claimed that the feud was used by American Idol producers to generate interest and ratings.

[41] Producer Nigel Lythgoe, however, denied that he was responsible for leaking the video or that it was a publicity stunt, and said that he had no plans to use the footage in advance of or during the season.

[44] The aired episode of the Charlotte audition did not show the tirade and what was shown appeared to have no real linear connection with the leaked footage.

[45] In April 2013, Carey noted during an episode of American Idol that Minaj had not had a number-one song on the US Billboard Hot 100.

She labeled the singer "insecure" and "bitter," while also referencing a widely spread rumor that the producers of American Idol wanted to bring Jennifer Lopez back to the judges panel after a significant decline in ratings this season.

I guess having a personality, being a secure woman, and giving genuine critique still trumps that," Minaj tweeted.