7-year-old singing powerhouse new American Idol after 74 million people call in to vote

Randy Jackson's early prediction that "curly hair will win this year," came to fruition last night as Jordin Sparks became the sixth American Idol.

After receiving more votes than any U.S. president -- a majority of the 74 million in total -- the 17-year-old Arizona powerhouse singer edged out Seattle beatboxer Blake Lewis, 25, during the sixth season finale.

In front of more than 3,000 fans inside Hollywood's Kodak Theatre, Sparks teared-up as she thanked her family and her fans.

For the young star, the fourth time was the charm. After failing to find fame as a contestant on America's Most Talented Kid in 2004 and American Juniors and Star Search in 2003, she finally proved to be just talented enough to get noticed on Idol.

Which, really isn't that difficult.

Still, based on her performances Tuesday night and throughout the competition, the outcome was almost a certainty -- almost, because you can never really know what's in the minds of prepubescent voters.

And making the result even more meaningless was the almost two hours of brain-numbing TV viewing that preceded it.

While Green Day's performance of Working Class Hero was almost as unexpected, it's impossible to top landing Prince.

Nonetheless, Fox tried.

Among the highlights this time around were Bette Midler's performance of Wind Beneath My Wings and Gwen Stefani's Four In the Morning which she sang, via satellite from somewhere unknown, in what looked like an empty room as cameras flashed to the Kodak audience.

The original Idol Kelly Clarkson also returned to the scene of the crime to promote her new CD, My December, and its first single Never Again, an angry break-up song.

The rest of the Idol winners Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia and Carrie Underwood also made appearances as did Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, beatboxer Doug E. Fresh and Tony Bennett, who blew the roof off the place with a surprisingly upbeat rendition of For Once in My Life.

But the most memorable moment of the night has to go to Sanjaya Malakar, who performed You Really Got Me with Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, as the famous crying girl (yes she was back) wailed with glee.

Then, of course, there were all the Hollywood C-listers who turned out for their important face time, including Ryan Seacrest's ex Teri Hatcher, Jeff Foxworthy, Jerry Springer, Brad Garrett, Constantine Maroulis and David Hasselhoff.

Man, it must have felt good to be Jennifer Hudson last night.