The teenager with a big voice and big dreams prevailed over beatboxer Blake Lewis, 25, after a triumphant performance that wowed the show's judges and the viewers who gave her the majority of the record 74 million votes cast.
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Jordin Sparks sings her was to glory last night.
"Mom, Dad, I love you," said Sparks, the daughter of retired American football player Phillippi Sparks, after hugging Lewis.
Fighting back tears, she signed off by treating the audience at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles to a rendition of her debut single, This Is My Now.
The show also featured Green Day, Tony Bennett, Gwen Stefani, Gladys Knight, Bette Midler and previous winner Kelly Clarkson.
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