VIDEO: Scotty McCreery Crowned American Idol Winner!
May 26 2011, Published 7:00 a.m. ET
And the winner is…Scotty McCreery!
McCreery has been named the winner of American Idol’s 10th season.
The country singer, 17, beat fellow contestant Lauren Alaina, 16, to become the youngest American Idol ever.
A record 122 million votes were cast following Tuesday night’s show.
“It’s been a year since me and Lauren Alaina tried out now,” Scotty said after being crowned the winner. “We’ve been together since day one and we’re going to stay together.
"This is just – never in my wildest dreams…I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here.”
The two-hour finale aired live from the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.
Judge Steven Tyler performed the Aerosmith classic “Dream On”, and in true Lady Gaga crazy fashion she sang “The Edge of Glory” and then jumped into a fake volcano.
Former Idol contestants from the season returned to sing duets with famous singers, including Carrie Underwood who sang “Before He Cheats” with Lauren. And Scotty sang “Live Like You Were Dying” with country legend Tim McGraw.
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