05:05 PM EDT 05/30/2012
American Idol
 |
Phillip Phillips: Hope You Didn't Vote for Me Because I'm Cute
Originally posted 05/25/2012 07:00AM
Newly crowned American Idol Phillip Phillips is in no short supply of adoring female fans, but the Georgia native only has one of them on his mind – his girlfriend.
Phillips's brunette beauty was first revealed to the public by host Ryan Seacrest just a few weeks ago, but the new winner says she has been his biggest cheerleader all season.
"She is so excited for me," the Leesburg, Ga., musician, 21, told PEOPLE during a conference call Thursday. "She supported me throughout all of this, and I love her to death."
 |
Phillip Phillips Had Eight Operations During American Idol Run, His Father Says
Originally posted 05/24/2012 02:00PM
Imagine what Phillip Phillips could do if he were 100 percent healthy.
The American Idol winner dazzled viewers all season long, despite battling chronic kidney problems – and having eight separate surgeries – since the competition began, his father told PEOPLE Wednesday after an eventful finale.
"He's been doing [well], but it's just grueling hours and it's just amazing what he's done through the journey," said the singer's dad, also named Phillip Phillips, at the show's official Ford-sponsored after party. "Eight operations since we started American Idol ... He's hitting 50 percent, but he's still up there swinging away."
 |
Ace Young: How I Planned a Live TV Wedding Proposal
Originally posted 05/24/2012 07:15AM
It was the engagement seen 'round the world Wednesday night on American Idol, so how did Ace Young manage to pull off his surprise proposal to fiancée Diana DeGarmo?
With a little help from his Idol family, it turns out.
"I called [producer] Nigel [Lythgoe] directly last week and said, 'I want to do this. I'm going to do this. Is there any way I could do it at the show?' " Young, 31, told PEOPLE at the Ford-sponsored American Idol season 11 finale post party. "He said 'Yes, I'm not going to tell anybody until the day of ... [and] I want you to figure it out with Ryan [Seacrest]."
 |
Best 11 Moments From American Idol's Season 11 Finale
Originally posted 05/24/2012 10:30AM
Wednesday's two-hour American Idol finale culminated in an big win for Phillip Phillips, but that emotional moment was just one of the best of the night. Former contestants Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young got engaged on live TV – which scored high on the emotional richter scale. Besides those two, here are the top 11 moments from Idol's season 11 finale:
Phillip Phillips sings with John Fogerty: The still-unofficial winner and Creedence Clearwater Revival's front man started the show with a pitch-perfect performance of classics "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" and "Bad Moon Rising."
Joshua Sings with Fantasia Barrino: A favorite of the judges, the third-place finisher performed a growling rendition of Elton John's "Take Me to the Pilot" with "the biggest inspiration in my life," season 2 winner Fantasia Barrino.
Top 12 women perform with Chaka Khan: They may have gone home early but Hollie Cavanagh, Skylar Laine, Erika Van Pelt, Elise Testone and Shannon Magrane got to sing "I'm Every Woman" with the legend. Not too shabby!
 |
Jessica Sanchez: Phillip Phillips 'Deserved' to Win American Idol
Originally posted 05/24/2012 09:20AM
There were tears shed during Wednesday night's American Idol finale, but not from the show's runner-up.
"I'm happy," Jessica Sanchez told reporters backstage after Phllip Phillips beat her out as the show's winner. "I don’t have any regrets at all. I was in the top two. That's crazy."
In fact, Sanchez, 16, was prepared to take second place.
 |
Idol Winner Phillip Phillips Isn't Done Shedding Tears of Joy
Originally posted 05/24/2012 07:00AM
Phillip Phillips couldn't hold back his emotions on Wednesday night when he was named the winner of American Idol.
Following the big announcement (132 million votes were cast, the most ever), Phillips, 21, broke into tears during a performance of his new single, "Home."
"I wasn't thinking about anything, not even the song," he told reporters backstage after the show. "I wasn't really wanting to sing or anything. I just started thinking about the whole journey and how far all of us have come, and how we've made it. It's so overwhelming."
Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo Get Engaged on American Idol Finale
Originally posted 05/23/2012 09:50PM
It's an American Idol shocker – but it's not what you think!
Show alumni Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young got engaged on stage at the show's season 11 finale on Wednesday night.
Before announcing the results of the competition between finalists Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips, Ryan Seacrest acknowledged former contestants, including the couple whom PEOPLE first reported moved in together in January.
Seacrest called them both to the stage and said, "dim the lights," like he does at every results show. As the elimination night music played, Young, 31, said, "This has always been home to us and I felt that this would be the perfect place to ask a simple question."
 |
Phillip Phillips Is American Idol Season 11 Winner
Originally posted 05/23/2012 10:15PM
Ryan Seacrest is in a tux – and American Idol has a winner!
Season 11's finalists, Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips, both had a big night on Wednesday. In addition to seeing their fellow top 12 contestants (and future tour mates) perform with the likes of Chaka Khan and Neil Diamond, they heard performances by some of the biggest names in music today – Rihanna, Reba McEntire, judge Jennifer Lopez.
They also shared the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE stage with legends: Phillip sang "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" and "Bad Moon Rising" with Creedence Clearwater Revival's John Fogerty. And Jessica performed "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" with original Dreamgirls star Jennifer Holliday. Both to impressive results.
And then there was that little business of announcing the new American Idol. Keep reading to find out who won ...
 |
Jessica Simpson Rooting for Phillip Phillips to Win American Idol
Originally posted 05/23/2012 03:05PM
Jessica Simpson has taken sides in the American Idol finale.
The new mom, who welcomed daughter Maxwell Drew Johnson on May 1, is rooting for crooner Phillip Phillips to win Wednesday night.
"Crossing my fingers for hot stuff Phillip Phillips!!" she Tweeted Wednesday afternoon.
Phillips, 21, performed three songs alongside another Jessica – 16-year-old Sanchez – Tuesday on the show's final night of competition.
 |
American Idol: Who Do You Want to Win?
Originally posted 05/23/2012 02:45PM
It's almost over!
Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips had already come a long way before having to perform three songs each on American Idol's final night of competition Tuesday.
After the show, they spoke together with reporters about taking the stage on a night with the highest stakes yet.
"We feel like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders," Jessica said. "Tomorrow is the last episode of the season and we are just really relieved."
People Top 5
Top 10 News Categories
The most buzzed about stars this minute!
Treat Yourself! 4 Preview Issues
More On People.com
Got a News Tip?
Send it to our People.com editors!
News Archive
