The season finale of American Idol airs tonight, and while we're all waiting to find out who will win, Allison Iraheta is an example of how you don't have to come in first to make it big post-Idol.

The down-to-earth pop star is hitting the road this summer with fellow Idol alum Adam Lambert and Australian singer-songwriter Orianthi, a tour that will undoubtedly be just like old times. The two Season Eight friends spent plenty of time together while filming the show and performing the American Idols Live! tour last year.

"I got really close to Adam but I also got extremely close with all the other guys," Allison says in her Sessions interview. "...Our bus was the best, but I just got really close to mostly Adam, Kris [Allen] and Danny [Gokey], because I guess we spent more time together. Getting down the line, getting lower, closer to the end, we stuck together, and we helped each other so much. Always support, always good stuff."

Allison Iraheta has a brand new single called 'Scars,' and we scored the cover art for the song! Allison's image gets the black-and-white treatment for the power ballad, which can be found on her debut album, 'Just Like You.'

Also, fans of the 17-year-old pop vocalist will get an extra special treat tonight as she returns to American Idol to perform 'Scars' live. Allison was a finalist on Season 8 of the popular singing competition series, so it's no wonder why she'd want to come back to sing her new single for the masses.

What will be going through Allison's mind during her appearance? Nothing, really. "I blank out when I'm performing," she said at her recent Sessions visit. "Not that I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not there -- and when I'm done I'm like, 'Whoa. What happened?' I get into the zone and block out everything else that's around me and focus on what's going on, focus on the song. I don't remember anything."

American Idol alum Allison Iraheta recently stopped by the Sessions studio to show off her amazing pipes. The 17-year-old California native performed an intimate five-song set, which included her punchy pop rock song, 'Friday I'll Be Over U,' the first single from her debut album 'Just Like You.'

"When people listen to 'Just Like You,' I want them to know who I am and who I want to be as an artist," she says of the record. "I really want to let them know that what they saw on the show and what got me that far is real -- I can sing."

Judging by her bold vocals and sassy on-stage attitude, no one is arguing. Watch Allison's full Sessions performance here, and check out photos from her studio visit below.

As we showed you in our behind-the-scenes video, Allison Iraheta's album photoshoot was a success. Now you get to see the results of her hard work as her debut album, 'Just Like You,' is about to hit shelves tomorrow!

"There will be some ballads and some upbeats maybe you can dance to songs, but they all pretty much come out as a rock vibe," Allison says of the record.

Listen to four songs from the American Idol star's debut below and check out the entire album here. 'Just Like You' will be available in stores and on iTunes on December 1.


Sorry, the listening party has ended.

Last week, we brought you a video of Allison Iraheta getting ready for her big photoshoot, and now we have behind-the-scenes footage of the American Idol alum straight from the set.

"I'm a little weird in photo shoots," Allison said. "I don't know why."

If that's the case, it seems that the 17-year-old California native got over it quickly as she and her crew of makeup artists, hairstylists and photographers finished up a successful shoot. The gang spent a long hot day working on five different looks for Allison's debut album, 'Just Like You,' which arrives next month.

"It's a dream come true because I've always wanted to do this and be in this position, and finally I get the chance." she said.

'Just Like You' will be available online and in stores on December 1.

Check out this exclusive video of Allison Iraheta getting ready for her photoshoot for her single, 'Friday I'll Be Over U.'

Watch as Allison goes through hair and makeup and several outfit changes (and hair color changes!) during the day-long shoot.

Allison's music is being compared to Kelly Clarkson and Demi Lovato with a mix of rock and pop.

When described by the photoshoot stylist as a "rock, punky, rocky, punky poppy type chick," Allison had no complaints.

"Yeah, that's definitely who I am," she said. "That's what I've always listened to and grown up listening to. So we're definitely just going for rock hard, edgy vibe."

Allison's album is scheduled to hit stores on December 1.

Click here to listen to 'Friday I'll Be Over U.'