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Credit: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Landov
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]."
Permalink | Filed Under: Engagements, American Idol, Ace Young, Diana DeGarmo, Nigel Lythgoe, Ryan Seacrest
Credit: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup
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!
Permalink | Filed Under: Aerosmith, American Idol, Chaka Khan, Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Sanchez, Neil Diamond, Phillip Phillips, Steven Tyler
Credit: Michael Becker/FOX
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.
Permalink | Filed Under: American Idol, Jessica Sanchez, Phillip Phillips
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."
Permalink | Filed Under: Couples, Engagements, American Idol, Ace Young, Diana DeGarmo
Phillip Phillips Wins American Idol
Credit: Michael Becker/FOX (2)
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 ...
Credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage; Michael Becker/FOX
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.
Permalink | Filed Under: American Idol, Jessica Sanchez, Jessica Simpson, Phillip Phillips
Credit: Michael Becker/FOX
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."
Permalink | Filed Under: American Idol, Jessica Sanchez, Phillip Phillips, Scotty McCreery
Credit: Courtesy Snooki
Snooki's going have a little Guido!
The Jersey Shore star and fiancé Jionni LaValle are expecting a boy, she confirmed on her Facebook page. "Can finally share the good news......we're havin' a BOY," the post read.
Recently, the pregnant reality star, 24, has taken to Twitter to show off her growing baby bump. She's also spoken out about how pregnancy has impacted her style – don't worry, she's continuing to wear staggering shoes – as well as her, um, boobs.
"I got swagger with my pregnant self," she Tweeted in March, along with a photo of her cleavage.
Permalink | Filed Under: Babies, Jersey Shore, Nicole Polizzi
When he first joined the season 14 cast of Dancing with the Stars, Donald Driver had two goals in mind.
"I was determined to win, and not get voted off first," Driver told PEOPLE shortly after he accomplished the first goal on Tuesday's big finale.
Though Driver, 37, is thrilled about taking home the mirror-ball trophy, making his family proud makes success even sweeter.
"When you win these things, you want to win for your family," Driver said of wife Betina, son Christian, 8, and daughters Christina, 6, and Charity, 8 months. "I wanted to let my kids know and my family know that you can follow your dreams. Whatever your dreams are, follow them, because it's truly special."
Permalink | Filed Under: Dancing With the Stars, Donald Driver
Let the games – er, shows – begin!
Bravo's summer programing slate is heating up, and the network has recruited a fleet of its "Bravolebrities" – more than 30 in total – for a fun, fast-paced new promo, and PEOPLE.com has a first look. (The commercial will make its TV debut during Wednesday's Watch What Happens Live.)
The Olympics-themed clip finds various Housewives – NeNe Leakes, Kyle Richards and Ramona Singer – facing off for race ... in heels! And with drinks in hand.
Permalink | Filed Under: Bravo, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Real Housewives Of New Jersey, The Real Housewives Of Orange County, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Top Chef, The Real Housewives of..., TV News, Andy Cohen, Caroline Manzo, Gretchen Rossi, Kathy Griffin, LuAnn de Lesseps, Padma Lakshmi, Ramona Singer, Teresa Giudice
