Blake Lewis, right, and Jordin Sparks, left, react as Ryan Seacrest announces they will each get a new Ford Mustang during the finale of American Idol at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Jordin Sparks, a teenager with a big voice and big dreams, was crowned Wednesday as the newest and youngest "American Idol."

Sparks, 17, of Glendale, Ariz., prevailed over beatboxer Blake Lewis, 25, of Bothell, Wash., after a triumphant performance Tuesday that wowed the show's judges and the viewers who gave her the majority of the record 74 million votes cast.

The contest came down to either the stronger singer, Sparks, or the better entertainer, Lewis. Sparks delivered her songs simply and powerfully; Lewis' flourishes included his sound-effects beatboxing and sharp dance moves.

"You were the best singer tonight. You deserve it all, baby!" judge Jackson told Sparks.

"You just wiped the floor with Blake," added judge Cowell, who then told Sparks he was wrong for initially thinking she wasn't good enough to win the Fox talent show.

"I would say the best individual performance of the night was Blake on the first song," Cowell said. "But, based on overall singing - Jordin."

"I'm pleased for the two of them," judge Cowell said of Sparks and Lewis. "They're nice kids. But I would have liked to have seen one of them up against the big singer."

（Agencies） 

Vocabulary:    

vote cast：投票

（英语点津陈蓓编辑）