Indie artist Phillip Phillips won "American Idol" on Wednesday, becoming the fifth male singer in a row to take the title and a guaranteed recording contract.
The 21-year-old guitar player from Georgia, who brought an indie vibe to the top-rated TV contest, beat ballad singer Jessica Sanchez, 16, of California in the public vote.
"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest said a world record 132 million votes were cast by phone, text and online for the two finalists.
The winner was announced at the end of a two-hour finale on Wednesday featuring performances by Rihanna, Neil Diamond, Reba McEntire as well as "Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler's band Aerosmith, which closed the show by going back to their hard rock roots with the 1976 classic "Walk This Way".
