Scotty McCreery won American Idol season 10 on May 25, 2011, defeating Lauren Alaina after a finale that seemed to give Alaina the judges’ edge the night before. The first all-country final in the show’s history ended with America—not the judges—making the deciding choice.
Who won American Idol season 10?
McCreery, 17, from Garner, North Carolina, beat Alaina, 16, from Rossville, Georgia. The Associated Press reported that McCreery received more than 122 million votes; it did not report an exact total. At the time, the AP described them as the youngest pair ever to compete against each other in an Idol finale. Contemporary coverage called their showdown the show’s first all-country final. CBS News/AP’s May 26, 2011 report covered the result.
What happened on performance night?
The finalists each performed three songs on May 24, the night before the vote was announced. Their sets mixed familiar country songs with tracks chosen as potential first singles.
| Finalist | First song | Second song | Potential first single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotty McCreery | “Gone” by Montgomery Gentry | “Check Yes or No” by George Strait | “I Love You This Big” |
| Lauren Alaina | “Flat on the Floor” by Carrie Underwood | “Maybe It Was Memphis” by Pam Tillis | “Like My Mother Does,” selected as a tribute to her mother |
Alaina performed despite a vocal-cord injury that required medical treatment. The judges praised her, and Jennifer Lopez suggested that her final song might have swung the contest: “This is a very tight race tonight, but Lauren, with that song, you may have just won.” The Associated Press quoted Lopez in its May 26 report. Read the AP report at CBS News.
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Why did the judges’ reaction not decide the winner?
Lopez’s praise was an assessment of the May 24 performances, not the result of the season. The winner was determined by the viewers’ vote, announced on May 25. That contrast defined the finale: Alaina appeared to have impressed the judges, while McCreery ultimately received the public’s choice. The two measures—judges’ reactions and viewer votes—were not the same thing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened on the results show?
McCreery was crowned on May 25 and returned to sing “I Love You This Big” as the celebration unfolded. The AP described him playfully trying to catch falling confetti in his mouth. After the result, he told the AP, “I never in my wildest dreams.”
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The live show also brought together contestants and high-profile guests. Carrie Underwood joined Alaina for “Before He Cheats,” while McCreery sang with Tim McGraw. Beyoncé and Tony Bennett performed at the Nokia Theatre, and Jennifer Lopez danced while Marc Anthony sang. ABC News also reported appearances by Lady Gaga, Judas Priest, and Tom Jones, among others; that list was not the whole bill. ABC News’ finale performance coverage reported on the show’s guests and collaborations.
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