Scotty McCreery Wins ‘American Idol’
After a record-setting 122.4 million votes, it was country crooner Scotty McCreery who was named the winner of 'American Idol' season 10.
The 17-year-old from Garner, NC, beat out 16-year-old Lauren Alaina to become the youngest 'American Idol' winner ever. He's also the fourth-consecutive male to win the reality-competition series, following David Cook, Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze. (The last female to win 'American Idol' was Jordin Sparks, in 2007.)
Though McCreery was a heavy favorite leading into Wednesday night's results, the judges gave the slight edge to Alaina on Tuesday, especially after her emotional final performance of her original single, 'Like My Mother Does.' In the end, though, America couldn't resist McCreery's deep vocals and indelible country charm.
Beyond the results, the 'Idol' finale featured a number of epic moments, from star-studded performances to the return of the Top 13. Among the A-listers who took the stage tonight were Beyonce (who performed her new song, '1+1'), Lady Gaga, Judas Priest (who performed with fourth-place finisher James Durbin), Jack Black (who performed with Casey Abrams) and, of all groups, TLC.
And keeping in form with season 10's all-country finale, McCreery got to perform with Tim McGraw, while Alaina sang a duet with her own American Idol, season 4 winner Carrie Underwood.
Check out McCreery's performance of his new single, 'I Love You This Big,' below, then sound off: Did he deserve to win 'American Idol' season 10? Or should the title have gone to somebody else?