Candice or Kree?: Who will be the next 'American Idol'?

Every vote counts as the top 2 sing for the crown Wednesday, May 15, on FOX; winner to be announced on two-hour season finale event Thursday, May 16

Among all the hopefuls across the nation, it's down to just Candice Glover and Kree Harrison, and the stakes have never been higher in one of "American Idol's" most heated battles for the title.

Following Thursday night's elimination of Angie Miller, 19, from Beverly, Mass., Candice and Kree are the two women left standing in a historically close fight to the finish. They now will prepare for their final showdown performance on Wednesday, May 15 (8 p.m.), when America's votes will decide who will join the ranks of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Phillip Phillips to become the next "American Idol" winner.

When asked what winning "American Idol" would mean to them, Candice, 23, from St. Helena Island, S.C., said, "It would mean the absolute world. I definitely feel like, no matter what, I've come so far. Everything I've worked for will have paid off."

Kree, 22, from Woodville, Texas, said, "It would mean so much because it would mean the sooner I'd get to make my record! More than anything, I would feel accomplished, knowing that I could make music."

Also on Thursday's results show, multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys performed her new single, "Tears Always Win," from her hit album, "Girl On Fire." Also, country artist and season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina performed her new single, "Barefoot and Buckwild," for the first time ever on the "American Idol" stage.

Next week, along with final performances by Candice and Kree, Wednesday's episode will feature Carly Rae Jepsen performing her new song, "Take A Picture." A collaborative effort between "American Idol" fans and the chart-topper herself, the song will be brought to life on the "Idol" stage, thanks to the Coca-Cola Perfect Harmony Program.

Tune in the following evening, Thursday, May 16 (8-10:07 p.m.), as season 12 of "American Idol" culminates with the grand finale and a new winner.

Fans can "Like" "American Idol" on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/AmericanIdol and follow the series on Twitter via #idol or @AmericanIdol,@RyanSeacrest,@MariahCarey,@yo_randyjackson,@nickiminaj and @keithurban. Candice is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CandiceAI12and on Twitter @CandiceAI12. Kree is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KreeAI12 and on Twitter @KreeAI12.

•Audition cities and dates for "American Idol" season 13 have been announced and include San Francisco on Tuesday, July 16; Detroit on Sunday, July 21; Atlanta on Friday, July 26; Boston on Friday, Aug. 2; Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, Aug. 7; and Omaha, Neb., on Sunday, Aug. 11. Additional cities, dates and details will be announced onwww.americanidol.com.

Fans can visit www.americanidol.com for additional information regarding "American Idol" voting, as well as exclusive videos, interviews, photos, special behind-the-scenes information and news.