Your American Idol Winner Is…

America has a new Idol.  After a record breaking 132 million votes, America chose...

Phillip Phillips to be the next American Idol. The former pawn shop worker beat 16 year old Jessica Sanchez for the title.  As the confestti fell, Phillip broke down into tears in the middle of his new song 'Home,' for one of the most emotional endings on any Idol season. Way to go Phillip!  Can't wait to hear your album.  The song 'Home' is already in my iPod.

Phillip Phillips final words

The 2 hour finale was full of surprises. A slew of artists took the stage to perform with the Idol finalists, including John Fogerty with Phillip, Jennifer Holliday with runner up Jessica Sanchez, Reba McEntire and Skylar Laine, Fantasia Barrino with Joshua Ledet and Jordin Sparks with Hollie Cavanagh.

The biggest surprise came from season five contestant Ace Young, who dropped to his knee to propose to season three runner up Diana DeGarmo.  Luckily she said yes.  That would have been embarrassing if she'd have said no in front of millions of people.

Ace Young Proposal

Now that Idol has its winner, Phillip and the rest of the Top 10 can look forward to the summer tour with several stops in Central New York.

America picked Phillip Phillips to join the ranks of ten other Idols and so did you.  Results from our daily poll had you favoring Phillip over Jessica Sanchez 54% to 45%. His originality is what won America over. There's no denying Jessica can sing, but Phillip in one of a kind.

Future Idol hopefuls can mark their calendars for the start of the next search, as auditions for season 12 kick off June 7th in L.A.