Ian Bernardo, a New Jersey guy who made a colorful splash at the “American Idol” arrivals, on the red carpet in front of the Kodak Theatre. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Sanjaya Malakar is ushered into the theater minutes before the show begins. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Randy Jackson works the press line outside the Kodak. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
New Jersey fan Laurie Jones, on the right, gets a photo with Gina Gloxin on the red carpet in front of the Kodak Theatre. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Blake Lewis outside the Kodak. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Blake Lewis, left, pays respect to the newly-crowned American Idol, Jordin Sparks, backstage. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Blake and Jordin ham it up for the press backstage. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Taylor Hicks, the blues singer of season five, arrives at the “Idol” finale. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Jennifer Hudson, the “Dreamgirls” award winner and former “Idol” contestant stops to sign autographs for fans. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Eight-year-old Dora Namusisi, right, of the African Childrens Choir gets a high-five from Fox publicist Barbara Blake after her appearance on the “American Idol” finale. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
