'American Idol' bits: Show return debut date, Phillip Phillips marriage, Hollywood parade packed with 'Idols'

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 18: Singer Phillip Phillips (L) and Hannah Blackwell attend the 2014 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 18: Singer Phillip Phillips (L) and Hannah Blackwell attend the 2014 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 18: Singer Phillip Phillips (L) and Hannah Blackwell attend the 2014 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 18: Singer Phillip Phillips (L) and Hannah Blackwell attend the 2014 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Season 11 winner and Georgia's own Phillip Phillips has married his long-time girlfriend Hannah Blackwell.

He didn't let fame go to his head in his personal life, sticking with the woman who loved him before he became a household name in 2012.

I'm a little late on this one. Us Magazine reported this late last month while I was on vacation:

The American Idol Season 11 winner and Blackwell, both 25, tied the knot at the Resora Plantation, in front of 250 of their friends and family. The bride wore a gown by Hayley Paige, while the groom looked handsome in a Billy Reid tux.

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ajc.com

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

The final season of "American Idol" returns Wednesday January 6 and Thursday January 7, both two-hour episodes.

By the time the live shows begin, "Idol" will go two hours on Thursdays. A finale date has not been set.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 01: Singers Ace Young (L) and Diana DeGarmo attend The Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Toys For Tots Foundation on December 1, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

The 84th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, airing on December 11 as a two-hour special on the CW but taped on November 29, will feature a raft of "American Idol" contestants of yore:

Season two one-two punch Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken

Married couple Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young

Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks and rocker Daughtry

Season 12 winner Candace Glover