American Idol has crowned a new winner.
ADVERTISEMENT
[Please stop reading now if you don't want to know the results of Wednesday night's finale.]
Nick Fradiani, a 29-year-old musician from Guilford, CT, won American Idol's fourteenth-season title during Wednesday night's live finale broadcast on Fox.
Nick closed out the show with an encore of his new single "Beautiful Life" as confetti and streamers fell from the ceiling. He was congratulated by his Idol competitors onstage as well as his crying family in the audience.
This season's mentor Scott Borchetta explained he's going to hit the ground running with Nick, as the singer/guitarist has now been signed to his Big Machine Label Group, which represents music icons like Taylor Swift and Reba.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I don't even know. I can't even think right now. Thank you guys so much. This is amazing. It's the best day of my life. Thank you guys so much!" Nick said after Idol host Ryan Seacrest revealed his victory.
Prior to the announcement, Nick said of runner-up Clark Beckham, "Clark is probably one of the best musicians I've ever been around and he's a better person, a great guy. It's been an honor to be on this stage with him."
Nick defeated Clark, a 22-year-old street performer from Whitehouse, TN, after he received the majority of home viewer votes cast immediately following Tuesday night's performance show which had featured the Top 2 finalists performing nearly a handful of times.
"I just want to say truly, I mean this with all my heart, I wouldn't pick another person in the world to be with me tonight. I mean, he's a great guy, he really is," Clark said of Nick before discovering he had finished the competition in second place.
The finale was jam packed with star-studded performances, and many contestants from this season got to sing with a famous artist or band. Clark sang "Takin' It To The Streets" with Michael McDonald and Nick took the stage with Andy Grammer for a rendition of "Back Home." Both finalists also got to sing with Fallout Boy.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Tuesday night, both Clark and Nick had to sing three songs: A reprise of their most memorable song this season, American Idol creator Simon Fuller's choice, and a victory song created just for them by music industry professionals.
Nick had the edge going into tonight's finale because he had out-performed Clark on his "Beautiful Life" coronation song, which will be on his debut album.
Jennifer Lopez had told Nick during the final performance show he was probably Simon's dream for an "American Idol" because he has the entire package -- the look, a great voice, and a nice stage presence. Nick had been praised for developing his vocals all season long in addition to becoming increasingly more comfortable onstage. Nick's been compared to the sound of Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas.
Nick now joins all the previous American Idol winners: Season 1's Kelly Clarkson, Season 2's Ruben Studdard, Season 3's Fantasia Barrino, Season 4's Carrie Underwood, Season 5's Taylor Hicks, Season 6's Jordin Sparks, Season 7's David Cook, Season 8's Kris Allen, Season 9's Lee Dewyze, Season 10's Scotty McCreery, Season 11's Phillip Phillips, Season 12's Candice Glover, Season 13's Caleb Johnson.
Idol's upcoming fifteenth season, which is set to debut in January 16, will unfortunately be the franchise's last edition ever. Jennifer, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. will be returning to the judging panel.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski