Via www.gmanetwork.com

Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

After a record-breaking 132.3 million votes cast by viewers Wednesday (PHL time), Phillip Phillips was named on Thursday (PHL time) the new “American Idol.”

The guitar-playing Phillips, 21, from Leesburg, Georgia, has consistently done well in the competition, and bested 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, a Filipino-Mexican-American who grew up in Chula Vista, California.

Phillips was favored to win by some quarters, saying he fits the “White Guy With Guitar” type that has characterized recent winners of “American Idol,” among them David Cook, Kris Allen, and Lee DeWyze.

Earlier on the show Thursday (PHL time), Sanchez said, “I’m thrilled” when host Ryan Seacrest asked them how she felt. Phillips said, “I’m excited,” and said he had about nine hours of sleep.

The top 12 finalists sang “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars. Later, the women finalists sang with Chaka Khan the R&B icon's hits such as “Through the Fire” and “I’m Every Woman.”
The male finalists, meanwhile, sang with Neil Diamond hits like “Sweet Caroline," and later, a string of Bee Gees songs in honor of Robin Gibb, who recently passed away.