In a battle between Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis, Jordin came out victorious.

A record 74 million votes were cast, giving Jordin the title of "American Idol."

The 17-year-old is the youngest "Idol."

The first song from her single will be "This Is My Now". The song was composed and written by the winner of the American Idol Songwriter's contest. Jordin sang the song for Wednesday's finale and was so overcome by emotion, she was in tears by the end of it.

The Glendale, Arizona, native said she first started singing when she was 18 months old.

Last summer she tried out in Los Angeles, but didn't even make it past the first round. This year the Fox affiliate in Glendale sent her to Seattle, where she finally made it through to Hollywood.

Wednesday night's finale was full of star performances by former contestants, past American Idols and recording artists like Bette Midler and Green Day. Season 6 favorites like Sanjaya Malakar and Melinda Dolittle also performed.

KFOX News At Nine's Peter Daut was the first reporter to speak to newly crowned American Idol Jordin Sparks, shortly after her announcement in Hollywood. She thanked all her fans in El Paso and said she hopes all of them like her new record.

In El Paso Applebee's on Mesa and Mesa Hills held a viewing party for the finale. More than one dozen fans turned out.

American Idol will be back in January for season 7.