Move over, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez. Ace Young just stole your spotlight.

About a half hour prior to American Idol announcing its season 11 champion tonight, Young and Diana DeGarmo – who met during a production of Hair – were called on to the stage by Ryan Seacrest.

Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo Get Engaged on American Idol Finale

Young then got down on one knee, and in a proposal/product placement for Dave Webb Jewelry, said to his live-in girlfriend:

“I want to make this last forever, and I will do anything in my power to have the most amazing life together, if you will have me.”

Through tears, DeGarmo accepted!

“I’m so speechless right now,” she said after Young put the engagement ring on her finger. “My makeup’s running!”

Diane finished second on the third season of Idol in 2004, while Young placed seventh on season five. Congrats to the happy couple!

The Hollywood Gossip

Following a record 132 million votes cast, and following performances from Neil Diamond, Rihanna and Aerosmith, among others, American Idol crowned a season 11 champion tonight.

Was it ballad singer extraordinaire Jessica Sanchez? Or Dave Matthews prototype Phillip Phillips? Unlike Ryan Seacrest, we won’t keep you in suspense for very long. The winner is…

PHILLIP PHILLIPS!

Not exactly a shocker, huh? The guitar-playing crooner was considered a favorite from his very first audition, considering his similar qualities to every other American Idol champion of the past five seasons.

Jessica appeared genuinely happy for Phillip upon hearing the announcement, as Ryan handed Phillip his guitar, Phillips took the crowd “Home” and eventually dissolved into tears, heading into the crowd to hug his parents.

Did Phillip Phillips deserve to win?

The Hollywood Gossip

One episode. Two finalists. Three songs.

Phillip Phillips squared off against Jessica Sanchez tonight, with the American Idol Season 11 crown at stake. Each contestant was tasked with singing a trio of tracks:

1. Simon Fuller’s selections: Jessica Sanchez, “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston; Phillip Phillips, “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
2. A favorite from earlier in the season: Jessica Sanchez in no heels, “The Prayer” by Celine Dion; Phillip Phillips, “Movin’ Out” by Billy Joel
3. A potential winning single: Jessica Sanchez, “Change Nothing;” Phillip Phillips, “Home”

So, who deserves the crown? Watch all six performance videos below and then vote…

Jessica Sanchez – “I Have Nothing”

Phillip Phillips – “Stand By Me”

Jessica Sanchez – “The Prayer”

Phillip Phillips – “Movin Out”

Jessica Sanchez – “Change Nothing”

Phillip Phillips – “Home”

WHO SHOULD WIN?

The Hollywood Gossip

One episode. Two finalists. Three songs.

Phillip Phillips squared off against Jessica Sanchez tonight, with the American Idol Season 11 crown at stake. Each contestant was tasked with singing a trio of tracks:

1. Simon Fuller’s selections: Jessica Sanchez, “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston; Phillip Phillips, “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
2. A favorite from earlier in the season: Jessica Sanchez in no heels, “The Prayer” by Celine Dion; Phillip Phillips, “Movin’ Out” by Billy Joel
3. A potential winning single: Jessica Sanchez, “Change Nothing;” Phillip Phillips, “Home”

So, who deserves the crown? Watch all six performance videos below and then vote…

Jessica Sanchez – “I Have Nothing”

Phillip Phillips – “Stand By Me”

Jessica Sanchez – “The Prayer”

Phillip Phillips – “Movin Out”

Jessica Sanchez – “Change Nothing”

Phillip Phillips – “Home”

WHO SHOULD WIN?

The Hollywood Gossip

I love you guys so much because you have the courage to have a dream.

That’s what Steven Tyler told the remaining three American Idol contestants tonight. Alas, for one of Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and Joshua Ledet, the dream is now over. So… following a painful Ice Age 3 tie-in and a performance by Adam Lambert, who got voted out of season 11?

JOSHUA LEDET!

The talented crooner takes it very well and even brings his mom on stage as he sings farewell via “Man’s Man’s Man’s World.”

This leaves Jessica Sanchez, likely the best voice of the season, and Phillip Phillips, the obligatory cute-white-guy-with-a-guitar-who-wins-every-season, to square off on next week’s finale.

Do you think Ledet deserved to be voted off?

Who will win American Idol?

The Hollywood Gossip

First, the American Idol finalists listened to the judges last night.

Then, they were given the freedom to select their own songs.

Finally, Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and Joshua Ledet were tasked with a cover by Jimmy Iovine, closing a busy evening with the following three performances. Which did you like best?

——————————————-

Joshua Ledet was given a Mary J. Blige track, “No More Drama.” Watch and listen and compare now to his take on John Lennon.

Joshua Ledet – “Imagine”

Jessica Sanchez went old school with “I’ll Be There,” a single made famous by the Jackson 5 and then even more famous by Mariah Carey.

Jessica Sanchez – “I’ll Be There”

Phillip Phillips then went romantic with Bob Seger’ “We’ve Got Tonight,” proving that he doesn’t always need a guitar in his hands.

Phillip Phillips – “We’ve Got Tonight”

VOTE ON A FAVORITE:

The Hollywood Gossip

For their second performances last night, the remaining American Idol finalists sang tracks they wished they had written.

This evening, though, the wishes of only three contestants would come true. So, perfect segue behind us, who got the boot?

Following performances by David Cook and Jennifer Lopez, along with the announcement that both Jessica Sanchez and Joshua Ledet were safe, it came down to Phillip Phillips and Hollie Cavanaugh. And the eliminated contestant this week is…

Hollie!

Cavanaugh took the news better than good friend Ledet, as she sang her farewell to “The Climb” and the audience stood up and cheered. What do you think, readers? Did voters make the right choice in sending Hollie home?

The Hollywood Gossip

At this stage, it’s difficult to be shocked by any elimination on American Idol.

Only five contestants remained heading into tonight, and all are quite talented, and all enjoyed mostly strong performances on Wednesday. Still, we didn’t see this ousting coming, not once Phillip was deemed safe… and Joshua… and Jessica…

It had to be Hollie going home, right?

Nope. Over 60 million votes were cast and the finalist who America sent packing was… Skylar Laine!

Yes, she struggled with “Fortunate Son,” but enough to get the boot? You tell us: Did Skylar deserve to go home at this point?

The Hollywood Gossip

We are down to the final five.

With the elimination of Elise Testone this week, American Idol kicked off its home stretch on season 11, meaning this is an ideal time to line up the remaining contestants in a Power Poll and ask readers who they think will win.

5. Hollie Cavanaugh: She’s made a living in the bottom three for weeks now. A perfectly strong voice, deserving of a place in the top five, but next Thursday night should be it for her. Lacks a personality or anything distinct to go with the vocals.

4. Joshua Ledet: We rank him fourth, but wouldn’t object to him winning the whole thing. The talent is there, but, to many, so is some yelling and a bit of over-acting. But if you like theatrics, Ledet is your man.

3. Jessica Sanchez: Responsible for the single best performance of the season, her cover of Whitney’s “I Will Always Love You.” Has a lot of Pia Toscano in her. We mean that as a big compliment.

2. Phillip Phillips: He just can’t win, people. Seriously, it would make like five straight handsome white guys who play guitars. The talent is there, the consistency is there, and we feel bad holding David Cook and Kris Allen against Phillip. But we need a change.

1. Skylar Laine: And let’s hope Laine benefits from that change. She’s fun, she’s eccentric, she has her own sound. Her cover of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” is what American Idol is all about.

WHO DO YOU WANT TO WIN?

The Hollywood Gossip

Following a performance night that saw the remaining American Idol contestants cover both Queen and a song of their choice, six finalists awaited their fate this evening.

And after both Stefano Langone and Katy Perry took the stage, we were left with Elise Testone, Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine in the bottom three. There’s no way viewers were voting out Laine, right? Right?!?

Right.

Instead, Elise Testone heard her name called by Ryan Seacrest to conclude the episode. The soulful crooner bid farewell via “Whole Lotta Love,” as J. Lo got up and danced and the crowd offered one final ovation.

What do you think? Did America get it right? Should Elise have been eliminated?

The Hollywood Gossip