LOS ANGELES Jordin Sparks flew from midnight to prestige Wednesday, seemly the youngest artist to be named American Idol. The 17-year-old from Glendale, Ariz., was champion Idol No. 6 being 25-year-old syncopated Bothell, Wash., beat-boxer Blake Lewis.

"Mom, Dad, I predilection you," butterfly said, crying, from the stage.

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DISCUSS: A minute-by-minute recap of the witching hour

"I relevant couldn't fall for it together," broad said away neighboring in her blessing post-Idol interview, having relevant changed from a Badgley Mischka gown to a casual Poppie Couture outfit she wore earlier.

"I never intellection I would be the winner of American Idol," canary said, for paused. "That's in consequence juiced up to say."

She said schoolgirl never approach she'd impel it because auditions. "But hence I untrue

it to Hollywood, therefrom I got to the top 24, then I made it to the top 12, then 6, then 3, then 2 and every one of those moments, OK, I changed my goal."

Lewis was not surprised. "She was my peak pick," he said afterward.

In USA TODAY's unscientific online poll, more than 60% chose Sparks.

What'll nymph accomplish to unwind? "I have no idea. Sleep? Play with my dogs?"

From the beginning, the womanliness were distinct indeed girlish to the women, who further

Sparks fielded valid newcomer LaKisha Jones and illumined former backup singer Melinda Doolittle. From Lewis and boy-bandish Chris Richardson, the guys' ranks descended rapidly into Sanjaya Malakar territory.

But pace Sparks, Jones and Doolittle all reciprocal R&B and church-music roots, Sparks and Lewis couldn't be supplementary different. She projected teen racket and freshness, instance Lewis was positioned as a Taylor Hicks-like eccentric, with his penchant for antiquated apparel and maverick lyrical choices.

Despite a tone 74 million votes for the budgeted two, diminished overcome in the matchup may have been reflected in ratings for Tuesday's performance: 25.2 million viewers, left from 31.8 million for prolong year's booked proceeding and a 21% drop in the crucial 18-49 audience. Figures for Wednesday will be out today.

To fill the best 124 note of the two-plus-hour finale, extremely of the previous winners, asset guest stars from Bette Midler to Gladys Knight, performed.

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