Ruben is new 'American Idol'

LOS ANGELES (Fox TV) - Ruben Studdard has beaten Clay Aiken to become the new 'American Idol'.

The title was announced on the conclusion of the wildly-popular Fox TV amateur hour.
"I feel great, man! Thank y'all!" said Studdard, 24, of Birmingham, Alabama at the finale, live from Los Angeles' Universal Amphitheatre. Then, filled with emotion, he sang his song of gratitude, Flying Without Wings, as the crowd roared: "RU-ben, RU-ben!"
It was a close decision. Of 24 million phoned-in votes, 50.28% were for Ruben, putting him 130,000 votes ahead of Clay.

Clay, the 24-year-old runner-up from Raleigh, North Carolina, was gracious in defeat, calling Ruben "one of the most talented people I know, one of the best friends I have. I'm so proud of him!".

Fox stretched the show into a two-hour marathon, announcing the winner just 10 minutes before the end.

The smash run of the first "Idol" led to the coronation in September of Kelly Clarkson, a 20-year-old Texan who was signed by RCA Records and saw her album, Thankful, debut at number one last month.

A new reality show will start in the autumn. American Juniors, which will spotlight talented children.