And so … America picks a new American Idol to reign over the landscape of competitive reality TV musicdom. Last night, the latest season of American Idol came to a close in a lavish finale episode that featured a host of big name musical acts, a tearful goodbye to the show’s meanest judge and — of course — the revelation of America’s pick for this year’s Idol. Here are a few photos of some of the big name musical acts who performed during last night’s finale ep:

While I am not a huge fan of the show itself, even I have to admit that American Idol puts on some of the most entertaining finale episodes on TV these days. Last night’s ep featured performances by Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Alanis Morissette, Bret Michaels, Carrie Underwood (herself a former AI winner) and more! It was deff worth tuning in just to see these pop stars pay homage to America’s biggest musical popularity contest. But, of course, the entire night lead up to the big announcement. In the end, there were 2 contestants left … Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze. But only one of them could be named this year’s American Idol. And the winner is …

Lee DeWyze has been crowned the newest American Idol:

Former paint salesman Lee DeWyze was the surprise winner of “American Idol” on Wednesday, beating front-runner Crystal Bowersox on a night that saw the talent show’s former champions reunite to bid farewell to Simon Cowell. DeWyze, a 24-year-old Chicago native, won the coveted title and a recording contract after a nationwide phone and text vote based on the contestants’ performances the night before. “Idol” judges had all but anointed Bowersox the winner after her three songs on Tuesday outclassed a nervous DeWyze. But Americans made up their own minds and chose DeWyze. “I have never been happier in my life,” said a stunned DeWyze, choking back tears after the result was announced at the climax of a two-hour finale that featured performances by Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson and Joe Cocker. “It felt like a huge weight is off my shoulders. Now that this big step is done, it’s on to the next step, which is to make an album and go on tour and do all the things I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” he told reporters later. Initially shy, he blossomed in later rounds of the show, and emerged as a serious threat to Bowersox after a rousing version of the Leonard Cohen classic “Hallelujah” last week. His cover of U2′s “Beautiful Day”, his first single, was made available immediately on iTunes. His debut album, on a Sony Music Entertainment record label, will likely follow in the fall. Bowersox, 24, said she had sensed before the show that DeWyze would take the title. “I knew Lee was going to win and people seem to be surprised by that, but I just had a feeling. “I couldn’t be happier for him…We both win. Both of us are going to have very successful careers and we’re going to be friends for a long time,” she told reporters backstage.

I guess contrary to popular belief, nice guys can actually finish first sometimes. As I mentioned above, I am not a fan of AI and didn’t watch the show this season … but as a non-viewer, all I heard was how amazing a singer Crystal Bowersox is. When it was announced that Lee DeWyze was the chosen winner, I was very surprised. But, if you consider that America has previously chosen winners like Kris Allen, David Cook, Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard (who I consider quiet crooners) it seems totally unsurprising that they would choose Lee to join their company. Tho, had Crystal won she would’ve easily fit in with the other AI winners like Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks (who I consider the superior pop singers). My main problem with Idol is that even when contestants win they aren’t guaranteed stardom (right Ruben Studdard?) … and, IMHO, the right winners aren’t always chosen (case in point, and no offense to Kris Allen, Adam Lambert should’ve won last season). But, all of this is neither here nor there … America has spoken and Lee DeWyze is the new winner! So much congrats to him!!

As Idol celebrated it’s newest winner last night, it also said goodbye to one of its biggest stars … meanie judge Simon Cowell:

DeWyze and the show’s high-wattage guests had to share the spotlight with both Cowell, whose departure was described by host Ryan Seacrest as “the end of an era”, and former “Idol” judge Paula Abdul. Abdul, who quit last year after a contract-renewal dispute, got a standing ovation from the 7,000-strong audience at the Nokia Theater when she appeared on stage to bid her old sparring partner a teary farewell. “My darling Simon. I’ve worked with a lot of people over the years…but none of them holds a candle to you, my friend. “I have loved all the fun we had together. ‘American Idol’ is not gonna be the same without you. But as only I can tell you, it will go on,” she said. Seven past “Idol” winners and more than 15 former contestants appeared on stage singing “Together We Are One” in tribute to Cowell’s part in making them stars. Pulled on stage after a series of flashback video clips of his years on the show, Cowell seemed genuinely moved. “I didn’t think I was going to be this emotional,” he said. “I am going to honestly, honestly miss you”. Cowell announced in January that he would be leaving “Idol” at the end of this season to launch a U.S. version of his “The X-Factor” talent show on Fox in the fall of 2011. His replacement has not been announced.

I think it’s plainly obvious that American Idol will not be the same without Simon so it remains to be seen what the future will hold for the show. I contend that it will remain hugely popular but, well, you never know. So as Simon says goodbye to Idol, so comes the end of an era. We’ll have to see how it all plays out but one thing is for sure, Fox is counting on all y’all to stay tuned to see what comes next.

So, Idol fans, what do YOU think of last night’s finale? Do you agree that the right contestant was chosen as the new American Idol?

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