Backstage with Jordin and Blake

He said something I totally agree with.. That the two finalists should each be written a final song that is tailor made for their vocal stylings. They should not have to perform the exact same song. Wouldn't this give the voting audience a better grasp on what type of music we would be hearing from them should they win?

Here's the ultimate Blake revelation. He wants Jordin to win, "She was my pick since the beginning. I've never looked at it as a competition. I love the support from the show, it's amazing. So, hopefully that will continue on regardless whether I’m first or second."

Jordin was absolutely beaming backstage and started to break down again as she told me why she teared up at the end of her song, "Because tonight, just standing on that stage and singing that song and seeing everybody in the balcony and my mom, my dad and my brother and my grandma. Just all of them sitting there, I was just so overwhelmed. It was just one of the greatest moments of my life. My young seventeen-year-old life."

The tears started falling again when Simon Cowell actually apologized to her, "I couldn't believe he said it because Melinda was his favorite and I was so surprised. I was like how did I get in this spot ahead of her. When he said that tonight, it just brought up all the emotion because I’ve been trying to prove I can do this. I can, if you just give me a chance."

I can actually picture Jordin standing up on that stage tonight, confetti raining down on her as she sings that song once again with the tears flowing. It was so cute. She had one of those gee golly Melinda moments just thinking about it, "Thank you. Thank you! I know I try to picture it myself but you know whatever happens tomorrow will be fine."

What's great about these two is you can see the deep friendship they have. As Jordin was speaking to someone else, Blake came up behind her and was goofing around with her. Jordin then grabbed his hand as they were both ushered out by the publicity team to the waiting press corp upstairs.

As I waited for the judges, I was told Simon had already left but Randy Jackson would be coming out to talk and Chris Daughtry too. Chris clearly has embraced his inner diva. From where I sit, he has changed big time. He was one of my favorite contestants last year. Every time I interviewed him he gave me a big hug and remembered my name. Last night, he blew right by me pretending to be texting on his cell phone and telling the publicists he had a plane to catch even though he had been hanging out backstage for a good half hour before he left. I saw it the last time I interviewed him in Vegas a few months ago and I can see in his eyes he is not the same person. Something is going on there.

Fortunately, Randy was still planning on talking and he had a surprise guest on his arm, Paula Abdul. I kind of figured she would not do press considering the news that she had broken her nose over the weekend. I have to tell you, I sat there and stared at her nose intently while she was talking to me. As someone who has dealt with um, nose issues, I can tell you I saw no signs of a "broken" nose. She claims there was bruising and it was covered by makeup. I didn't see it. Bruising lasts more than just a few days. In fact, her nose looked absolutely perfect. In fact, she has a great nose. She did show me the bruise on her arm and tell me about the huge bruise on her right side. So, I have no doubt she fell but I think the busting up her nose is being blown out of proportion for PR's sake.

This finale needs all the publicity it can get. Last night was the least watched finale performance show since season one. While 31-plus-million tuned in for Kat vs Taylor. Only 24 million or so came to the Jordin vs. Blake showdown. Ouch! Signs of a finally aging franchise or did people simply lose interest in the contestants this year?

Tonight I'll be inside the Kodak Theatre for the finale and on the red carpet for the arrivals. Check back tommorow for play-by-play updates from the red carpet. Then I’ll be crying when I have to wake up at 3:30am to meet with the winner and follow them through their morning of press interviews right up until they hit our stage at 9:30am.