American Idol 2012: Phillip Phillips Collapses Into Family's Arms

This year's American Idol has been crowned. To the surprise of many, it was not the honey-vocalled Jessica Sanchez who took home the title. Nor was it judges' favourite Joshua Ledet, with whom the judges have barely found fault, over the final few weeks. Proving that sometimes, the softly-softly approach is the best, Phillip Phillips can now proudly call himself 2012's American Idol.

Sanchez may have impressed the judges with her vocal range but it turned out that she was no match for Phillip Phillip's rustic, down to earth charm. For his final performance, he tackled Ben E King 'Stand By Me.' Whilst his competitors relied on vocal acrobatics to impress the judges and viewers at home, Phillip Phillips sang "as if there were no competition," in the eyes of the New York Times. When he was done with Ben E King, he took on Billy Joel's 'Movin' Out (Anthony's Song),' another understated number. He managed to charm the viewers in a way that Jessica and Joshua just couldn't quite muster, even if they may, technically, have possessed better vocal ability.

When he was announced as the winner, Phillips retained his composure. Until he performed his victory song, that is. Finally, a display of emotion from the lad who has remained composed - and laidback to the point of being horizontal - for the entirety of this season. A delayed reaction to the news, perhaps, when Phillips abandoned his song part-way through and fell into the arms of his family, who were desperately waiting to congratulate him.