Blake opened the first show with one of his favourite performances, Bon Jovi's You Give Love a Bad Name. I thought it was a great start and the crowd went wild, but the judges didn’t seem that impressed. From the get go they concentrated on Blake’s entertainment factor rather than his voice. Simon said "you're not the best singer in this competition. But you're the best entertainer I think we've had.”

Jordin was up next with Christina Aguilera's Fighter. The judges were happy with the 'young' choice of song and both Randy and Paula said it was 'stella' but Simon thought she “shrieked it” and I have to agree! It’s a shame because if she’d taken her time rather than over sing, it could have been a showstopper.

Blake fought back after his cutting comments with the Maroon 5 hit, She Will Be Loved. It was a much better vocal performance and he steered clear of his ‘bang bang thump thump’ bit. Sadly, this poor guy can’t win! Both Randy and Paula loved it, but Simon said that this time he played it too safe. Beat-boxing, no beat-boxing, singing, performing, what exactly is it that you want Simon?

Whatever it was that Simon was looking for; he found it when Jordin sang Martina McBride's Broken Wing. Simon gushed…"Now, THAT was good." I have to agree, it was a cracking vocal and it’s probably won her the prize, but I get the feeling that Blake’s performances are being played down here, as far as the judges are concerned it’s Jordin all the way.

The final performances showcased the winning song from the American Idol Songwriters competition. I was hoping for something a bit different, but it was a classic generic, cookie cutter, idolesque, competition winning, sticky ballad. Consequently, This Is My Now was not written for Blake Lewis (not in a million years!) It was far too gooey and not his style at all. I mean, you just can’t throw beat-boxing into a ballad, he looked so frustrated. Not good and unfair, this may have cost him the title. Why do the producers keep choosing ballads for every first release? It happens here too, ever single series! Simon said "I thought it was all a little odd. ... It's just not a song that you would normally sing." He even went so far as to say that Blake should be judged on his earlier performances (in other words it blew!). Considering this is the song that Blake would be releasing, the judges might as well sign Jordin’s contract now!

Needless to say, Jordin took the stage and owned the song. It could have been written for her voice. She even teared up as she delivered the last line – talk about textbook final performance! Randy loved it, "you were the best singer tonight. You deserve it all, baby!" Simon said "You just wiped the floor with Blake," – Selena says…It’s obviously over already!

After all the judges had gushed about Jordin, Simon tried to even the field "I would say the best individual performance of the night was Blake on the first song, but based on overall singing - Jordin." Yeah…whatever!

In all honesty I don’t think Simon ever wanted this final, his heart doesn’t seem to be in it and we all know why. When speaking about the finalists his recent comments said it all, "I can understand why they both made it. But I would have happily swapped either of them for Melinda. They're nice kids, but I would have liked to have seen one of them up against the big singer."

Nuff said!

The results are in…

The winner of American Idol is…

JORDIN SPARKS!!!

As Blake humbly bows out, Jordin gives her final performance and is overwhelmed with emotion. Considering Simon said she could never win, she has done herself proud. Congratulations Jordin and good luck!

It’s been a great series and the final was a corker…
but I have to ask, have Lakisha and Melinda been signed yet, or what? (He he)

The most important question is where will Jordin be when we watch the next American Idol Final? Will she still be in favour? I mean, where was 'American Idol' Katharine McPhee tonight? All of the others have appeared in the lead up shows or tonights final...what's that about? 

With another final down and another idol born, I'm just looking forward to next years auditions!

COME ON,
YOU KNOW YOU'RE THINKING THE SAME...
ITS ALL ABOUT THOSE FUNNY AUDITIONS!
NEXT!

Selena Ledgerton Cooper
MSN Reality TV Blogger