Los Angeles, May 26: Scotty McCreery won the "American Idol" battle of the fresh-faced country crooners Wednesday, receiving more of the record 122 million-plus viewer votes than rival Lauren Alaina.
Backstage, he shared his feelings on hearing the words from "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest that would forever change his life, "The winner of 'American Idol' season 10 is Scotty McCreery."
"Everything went through my mind," said McCreery. "All the memories of the last couple of weeks and just all the times of singing and all the stress and everything was just like a relief. It was a moment that I will never forget."
Although "American Idol" runner up Lauren Alaina was named as a favorite by the judges the day before, she was not crowned the winner. Alaina became sick the last few days of the show and although she was able to perform, she was left speechless backstage as she addressed the press via a note pad McCreey read out loud for her.
Yet, Alaina does not blame her loss to losing her voice.
"I think that things happen for a reason, and I think that it was God's plan for me to get second and it was God's plan for Scotty to get first," said Alaina backstage. "No matter what, that is the way it was supposed to be. My voice has nothing to do with it."
After a tiresome but successful year of hard work for "Idol" winner McCreery, he jokes he cannot afford to take time off.
"Time off? Did she say time off?" asked McCreery. "No, hopefully I'll just be, I'm just a normal kid. I'll be on the couch watching sports center, eating some chips or something. Hopefully I'll be working. I want to go to Nashville, and get cracking on this album. I mean, the fans want to hear my music. They kept me around. So, I think it is my duty to get it to them as quick as possible."
Alaina and McCreery booth confirm they have been great friends for a long time. When McCreery won, Alaina leaned in and kissed him. While backstage, both were asked to confirm whether or not they were dating. Alaina smiled and said, "Ask Scotty, I will never tell."
McCreery giggled and decided to clear the rumors.
"Yeah, she is a character, isn't she? She really is," he smiled. "No, we are really close friends. I met her day one of Hollywood week, and we have just grown really tight over the weeks. We have been to school together, but I don't know about the dating part. She is just being funny."
On a serious note, iconic performer Tom Jones had nothing but wonderful things to say about McCreery's future.
"He's got a great tone to his voice," said Jones. "Which is something I think, you either have or you don't have. You can learn breathing techniques and things from vocal coaches, but the actual tone of your voice is a god given gift. And he has a great tone to his voice. And you can tell that he loves country music, because that is what he does and that is what he has been influenced by, and he has got the voice to back it up. So I think he is, he knows what he is doing and that is great to see and to hear especially." AP
