LOS ANGELES: Seventeen-year-old Jordin Sparks won the 2007 American Idol television singing contest yesterday, beating an older, more offbeat male rival to become the youngest ever winner of the coveted title.
Sparks, who captured the hearts of viewers of the show with her bubbly personality and big voice, beat 25-year-old Blake Lewis in a contest that was decided by a telephone vote in which a record 74m votes were cast.
The two finalists embraced after host Ryan Seacrest announced the result, with Sparks, dressed in a long, flowing gold gown, having difficulty catching her breath.
"Thank you so much for everything - aMum and Dad, I love you!'' said the emotional teenager, who along with the 'American Idol' title will receive a recording contract.
Lewis said backstage that he did not mind coming in second.
In its sixth season, the show has grown from a cheesy summer talent competition into a cultural phenomenon that draws about 30 million viewers twice a week to News Corporation's Fox network.
More than 100,000 people auditioned for this year's show, which puts contestants through auditions and performances that showcase musical genres ranging from country to hard rock. In its first five seasons, it has produced a list of successful stars from both its winners and losers.
On Wednesday night's show at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre, four of the show's five previous winners - Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks - performed a medley of Beatles tunes with the show's top 12 finalists.
Backstage, Sparks could barely contain her excitement at joining the ranks of previous Idol winners.
"It just turned out pretty cool, I guess,'' she said, giggling and brushing back her long dark hair.
Idol has become a coveted forum for established artists to be seen.
Wednesday's star-studded event included performances by Gwen Stefani, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight and Green Day.
Sparks, from Arizona, is the daughter of former National Football League player Phillippi Sparks.
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