Country singer Tate Stevens is America’s new “X Factor” champ.
After months of over-the-top productions and teary-eyed eliminations, the former highway worker last night edged out Carly Rose Sonenclar, the precocious 13-year-old from Westchester,in the voting for the $5 million top prize.
Fifth Harmony, a girl group cobbled together by producers from five solo singers who tried out for the show last summer, placed third.
Stevens, from Belton, Mo., was clearly overcome when he heard his name announced shortly before 10 p.m.
“I have to thank the man upstairs for taking care of me,” he said. “This is the best day of my life.”
Stevens, 37, and Sonenclar were 1 and 2 in the weekly fan voting for the entire season.
So the final came down to the deserves-a-break country singer vs. the kid with the golden voice.
Stevens “represents every man who never gave up on their dream,” says L.A. Reid, the record exec who mentored Tate.
Stevens (whose real name is Stephen Eatinger) probably sealed his victory Wednesday night with a rousing reprisal of his audition song, “Anything Goes.”
Judge Britney Spears cooed, “When you do right-down-the-middle country, you are right on.”
At his “X Factor” audition last April in Kansas City, Stevens said he was encouraged to try out by his wife, Ashlie, and kids, Rylie and Hayden.
“[If I win] I’m gonna have a big-ass party,” he promised. “And everyone’s invited!”
Last night’s two-hour finale included performances by Pitt Bull and “X Factor” U.K. sensation One Direction.
As the winner, Stevens will release his first CD next year through Sony Music.