-- North Carolina has raised an "American Idol" -- and people in the state are singing her praises.
This time it's a 19-year-old with a powerhouse voice that awed judges and won a majority of the (m) millions of votes cast in the Fox T-V talent contest.
About eight-thousand fans gathered near Fantasia Barrino's hometown of High Point to watch her earn the "Idol" title. The event was hosted by Raleigh native Clay Aiken, who finished second in the show last season.
Meantime, Diana DeGarmo's defeat may have been a disappointment, but the mayor of her hometown says she'll be getting a heroine's welcome anyway.
This year's runner-up is a 16-year-old from the Atlanta suburb of Snellville. About 25-hundred people -- including Georgia's governor -- showed up at the Georgia Dome to watch the two-hour finale last night.
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Jay Desai (deh-SY'), Snellville resident who helped organize 'American Idol' viewing party at local church, in A-P interview
Desai says Snellville residents are a little disappointed that hometown girl Diana DeGarmo didn't take first place.
CUT 103 (05/27/04)>> :14 "deserved it"
Jay Desai (deh-SY'), Snellville resident who helped organize 'American Idol' viewing party at local church, in A-P interview
Desai says Snellville residents are disappointed, but still hopeful for DeGarmo.
CUT 104 (05/27/04)>> :07 "to go"
Jay Desai (deh-SY'), Snellville resident who helped organize 'American Idol' viewing party at local church, in A-P interview
Desai says while DeGarmo didn't win, her performance has brought the town lots of attention and sparked immense town spirit.
CUT 105 (05/27/04)>> :13 "Diana mania"
APPHOTO KDK133 (05/26/04)>>
A: "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino performs "I Believe" just after winning to conclude the live finale, Wednesday, May 26, 2004, in Los Angeles.
APPHOTO KDK116 (05/26/04)>>
A: Diana DeGarmo performs "I Believe" during the "American Idol" live finale, Wednesday, May 26, 2004, in Los Angeles.
