"Thank you guys. This is amazing. Thank you," says this season's champ
TALK ABOUT IT
David's big moment, Blake Lewis and Haley Scarnato get cozy, Jason Castro almost gets burned and more
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"It's a year later and I still haven't gotten a whole eight hours," last year's Idol tells this year's winner
"He is surrounded by his family," a relative tells PEOPLE. "They want to help him beat this and move on"
The winner talks about the year ahead, getting an apology from Simon and the kind of album he wants to make
"No more getting judged after each performance,” the runner-up says. "Oh, let me enjoy this for a second"
David Cook and David Archuleta tell PEOPLE they did their best – but it's not about winning
Nigel Lythgoe explains the decision to bar him from backstage was to "take some pressure away"
She also talks about coping with her father's addiction and her post-Idol plans
"It is completely unfair," says the Idol contender's music coach
"I would have liked to go farther," the singer says, "but I don’t think I could handle it"
The Idol host dismisses rumors about Abdul's state of mind during the show
After selling her horse to audition for Idol, the former contestant has a new friend named Captain
The judge gets s big surprise and the his first crush talks to PEOPLE
The latest booted contestant says "the boys are definitely charming" the female voters
"I felt so grateful and happy and then boom, it hit me: this is done, this is over," she says after her final performance
The ailing Adam Cook has a "new pep in his step," a friend tells PEOPLE
The ousted Idol keeps her engagement secret – until her guy proposes again on TV
But the singer holds no grudge against Ryan Seacrest for giving him last-minute false hope
They talk "every single day," she reveals with news of her future plans
Sorry, Sanjaya, she's shedding tears for Jason Castro now
Claudette Yamin passed away on Monday night at the age of 65
The country singer gives a nod to Chicken Little and Simon calls Paula a "good kisser"
The singer takes "Billie Jean" for a rock 'n' roll spin to finish the show
The rock 'n' roll nurse misses the top 10 – and a spot on the tour
The singer blames song selection, not his stripper past, for his ouster
Plus more from from inside last week's show
Noriega sings "Tainted Love" for his final Idol performance. Will you miss him?
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Relive the best performances from Michael Johns, Carly Smithson, Brooke White and more – then tell us your fave
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Tell us which performance you loved from the jam-packed finale
The wacky contestant in white sings "We're Brothers Forever" at the finale
Does the Idol winner look like the Gossip Girl star?
TELL US
Check out the Idol winner’s journey from Midwestern bartender to singing superstar
Read our fun fact-packed bio about the "goshing" cutie and enjoy a full photo gallery
Relive the sweet blonde singer's performances
Now that her Idol run is over, the beauty school dropout trims her good luck charm
Relive performances by the tattooed Irish singer
Relive the 21-year-old contestant's performances
The only female left in the competition showed off three glam looks. What's your favorite?
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See which superstar vocalists Syesha Mercado, David Archuleta and the rest of the top 10 would love to sing with
See how talent translates no matter which language these aspiring stars sing
WATCH NOW
Which song began Kelly's career? Know Randy's favorite? Test your Idol expertise!
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Ace Young, Bo Bice and more share the love. Plus: Fantasia's advice
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After a whirlwind week in the U.S. with Angelina and the children, the actor heads to a Berlin-area movie set
Plus: Jessica has sushi – Texas style, Penn Badgley and more
