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Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell were on hand to offer their opinions on the live final of American Idol - but the voting viewers did not necessarily agree with them.

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The final also drew a celebrity crowd, including Courtney Love and her daughter Frances Bean.

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Singer Brandy also attended the show at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

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Ben Stiller took his seat to wait for the contestants to perform their final numbers.

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Carrie Underwood had one last chance to wow the judges and viewers.

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Host Ryan Seacrest (c) ramped up the tension as Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood waited for the final result to be revealed.

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The 12 contestants who made it into the final stages all got their chance to give another performance and congratulate the winner.

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Carrie Underwood was overcome with emotion when her name was revealed as the winner of a lucrative recording contract. Bo Bice graciously clapped his winning rival.