Sara Bareilles and Nicolina Bozzo paired up for a star-studded duet on Sunday, May 22, during the Season 20 finale of American Idol.
The superstar and Top 5 Idol finalist performed Bareilles’ “She Used To Be Mine,” a track written for Waitress, a musical stage adaptation of the 2007 film of the same name. The tune was recorded by Bareilles for her fifth studio album, What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress, and later re-recorded by Jessie Mueller.
Bareilles, a self-proclaimed fan of 18-year-old Idol alum, and Bozzo delivered a mesmerizing duet of the Bareilles tune.
Bareilles surprised Bozzo when she extended an invitation to sing a duet with her during the Idol finale via a FaceTime call earlier this month.
“No way! No, oh my God you’re kidding right? You’re absolutely joking right?” Bozzo shouted upon seeing Bareilles on the iPhone screen.
“You know what’s going to happen? We’re going to sing together. Yes, we are. I am such a huge fan of yours, I’m coming out to LA and I’m going to sing with you. I am so proud of you and excited for you, you are like every good thing,” Bareilles told Bozzo, who was speechless and overcome with excitement.
Earlier this month, Bozzo released her debut single “Glitter,” a song originally by Patrick Droney. Bozzo’s version of the tune was produced by Mr. Franks (Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, BlackPink).
“I chose the song ‘Glitter’ for my single because it is a beautiful and haunting depiction of what grief really is,” Bozzo shared at the time of the track’s release. “Grief is a scary feeling that we all inevitably feel in life and is something that is not easily gotten rid of. The lyrics in ‘Glitter,’ perfectly paint the theme and feeling of grief.”
The three-hour Season 20 finale of American Idol also featured performances from the Idol judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, as well as the Top 3 finalists Noah Thompson, HunterGirl, and Leah Marlene.
Additionally, superstars Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett, James Arthur, Sara Bareilles, Michael Bublé, Deana Carter, Earth, Wind & Fire, Melissa Etheridge, Flo Rida, Ben Platt, Thomas Rhett, Tai Verdes, and more also performed during the star-studded broadcast.
Several other contestants from Season 20 also returned to the Idol stage, including Mike Parker, Christian Guardino, Jay Copeland, Nicolina Bozzo, Fritz Hager, Emyrson Flora, and Lady K.
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Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the American Idol finale aired live coast-to-coast on Sunday, May 22, at 8/7c on ABC. The finale also streamed live on ABC.com and the ABC app and will be available to watch via Hulu on Monday (May 23).