Jordin Sparks, youngest contestant ever to gain the title American Idol, is the newly-named winner of season 6. The Arizona native sang, danced, and smiled her way through last night’s two-hour season finale spectacular, a stage show filled with live acts that included a simulcast of Gwen Stefani on her current tour. The event, as always, was filled with somewhat tongue-in-cheek awards that were doled out to would-be contestants seen in the very early weeks of this season. Coupled with the big-name performers on stage (including Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Green Day and Bette Midler, not to mention the bevy of returning Idols that also filled the stage), the show was (as always) a spectacular success. It all culminated in a Beatles-based musical montage that featured past Idol winners Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Reuben Studdard, and Taylor Hicks, performances that were followed immediately by the long-anticipated results. After more than seventy million votes (an astronomical amount, considering voter turnout in the last two major elections), Jordin was named this year’s one and only Idol.

Last night’s two-hour finale included performances from both Jordin and Blake Lewis, this year’s runner-up. Jordin sang a duet with Reuben shortly before the Beatles tribute, and Blake gave a rousing, beat-box filled performance with Doug E. Fresh. Melinda Doolittle, the third-place contestant, joined the band she once sang back up for – this time, however, Melinda was center stage. All in all, another big success for FOX and American Idol. Just after the exciting results and Jordin’s final performance, the seventeen-year-old sat down for an exclusive interview with TV Guide. She talked about her camaraderie with fellow competitor Blake Lewis, whose style is vastly different from Jordin’s, and plans for her upcoming album. Jordin mentioned Kelly Clarkson’s style of infusing a lot of different musical genres, and said she would like to do the same. This newest Idol will have a lot of catching up to do – former Idol winners and finalists have been topping the charts with no cease in sight. Fourth-place finalist from last season, Chris Daugherty, was the biggest-selling artist of 2007 – and he didn’t even win the title. In a special award event last evening, Carrie Underwood received a special plaque for her album sales, which total more than six million. Sparks will be joining an amazing group of performers, but there is no doubt this young winner can hold her own. The real excitement will begin when finalists like Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Melinda Doolittle, and LaKisha Jones release their albums.