“I predict the winner will be a U.S. citizen. He will be between the ages 16-30, and his name will be David,” MIke Myers said. Fox network crowned David Cook the seventh season American Idol, May 21.

Cheers erupted from the Nokia Theatre’s audience of 7,000 as host Ryan Seacrest announced the victor chosen after 97.5 million votes. Cook received 56% of the votes, beating David Archuleta by 12 million.

On the night before, both contestants battled out in the finals as Archuleta won the coin toss and opted to go second.

Cook, 25, started out the night with U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” chosen by Clive Davis. While his performance did not impress the judges, it left the audience enthralled.

Archuleta, a few months younger than last year’s idol Jordin Sparks, sang Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me”, which influenced the judges to give positive reviews. Simon Cowell commented, “Round one goes to Archuleta.”

The night continued with Cook and Archuleta choosing their favorite of 10 entries from the song-writing competition. Cook chose “Dream Big” while Archuleta chose “In This Moment.” Despite poor song choice, the judges applauded the performers’ talent.

For a last chance to awe the audience, the contestants chose their final song. The judges complimented Cook’s character, but thought “The World I Know” was the wrong choice. Matching up to his older competitor, Archuleta sang “Imagine”, a song he performed earlier in the season. After his performance, Cowell declared Archuleta the night’s winner.

However, Cowell retracted his statement the next day, deeming it on the verge of disrespect. With tears streaming down Cook’s face, he jokingly blamed his victory on his brother. Ending the show singing “The Time of My Life”, the winner of the song-writing competition, Cook was bent over with emotion.

The 12 finalists will tour in the United States and will make a stop at Fresno’s SaveMart Center, July 3.