"AMERICAN IDOL" ANNOUNCES FIRST SUPERSTAR PERFORMER OF THE SEASON

BON JOVI TO PERFORM LIVE ON "AMERICAN IDOL" THURSDAY, MARCH 14 ON FOX

IDOL Sudden Death Round Begins Tonight and Tomorrow

World-renowned rock group Bon Jovi will perform their lead single "Because We Can" from the upcoming album, "What About Now" on AMERICAN IDOL Thursday, March 14 (8:00-9:00 PM live ET/ tape-delayed PT) on FOX. The highly anticipated performance coincides with AMERICAN IDOL's LIVE results show in which America's votes will determine which finalist stays in the competition and who must go home. "What About Now," on Island Records, hits stores March 12.

For nearly three decades, Bon Jovi has ruled rock 'n' roll. Since forming in 1984, the Grammy Award-winning band has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide and performed more than 2700 concerts in 50 countries for more than 35 million fans. Their latest single, "Because We Can," hit the Top 5 on iTunes in 24 countries and reached No. 1 in 12 countries. Earlier this month, Bon Jovi returned to the road, with tour dates in the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Africa, Brazil and Australia.

Beginning this week, AMERICAN IDOL heads to Las Vegas for the Sudden Death Round. In the most dramatic episodes yet, the semifinalists will perform one last time for the judges and will be told if they are moving on or heading home. The first group of girls will perform tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and the first group of guys will perform tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

AMERICAN IDOL is produced by 19 Entertainment, a division of Core Media Group, and FremantleMedia North America. The series is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, CEO, XIX Entertainment. Cecile Frot-Coutaz, FremantleMedia, Trish Kinane, FremantleMedia North America; Ken Warwick, FremantleMedia North America; and Nigel Lythgoe, CEO, Nigel Lythgoe Productions also serve as executive producers. "Like" AMERICAN IDOL on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanIdol and join the discussion at #idol. Follow host Ryan Seacrest at @RyanSeacrest, and follow the judges: @MariahCarey; @yo_randyjackson; @nickiminaj; and @keithurban. Download the AMERICAN IDOL app for iOS devices from the App Store; and for Android devices at Google Play.**

[EDITOR'S NOTE: **App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc.]