He prevails against David Archuleta to take home the coveted title.

Season seven's climactic battle of the Davids reached its exciting conclusion on Wednesday night's grand finale. Viewers decisively crowned DAVID COOK the new "American Idol," spurring him to victory over DAVID ARCHULETA by a 12-million vote margin.

"I am absolutely at a loss for words right now," Cook stammered, moved to tears by the emotion of his big moment. "This is amazing. Thank you."

Joined on stage by his mother and brother for hugs, the 25-year-old champ commenced his reign with a performance of "Time of My Life."

The anticipation of the night's big announcement even moved SIMON COWELL to uncharacteristically take back a harsh comment he leveled at Cook during the previous night's performance show: "I think I was verging on disrespectful with you, and I don't think you deserved that," he said, adding to both Davids: "First the first time ever, I don't really care who wins. You were both terrific."

All told, the grand finale was a music-filled affair that rang out with star-crossed collaborations. Cook jammed with classic rockers ZZ TOP on "Sharp Dressed Man." David Archuleta traded spine-tingling falsetto choruses with ONEREPUBLIC on "Apologize." And their Top 3 mate, SYESHA MERCADO, shared a surprise duet with SEAL, "Waiting for You."

Their fellow Top 12 contestants also got to bask in the starlight. MICHAEL JOHNS, CHIKEZIE, DAVID HERNANDEZ and JASON CASTRO sang "Summer of '69" with BRYAN ADAMS. BROOKE WHITE exchanged harmonies with rock legend GRAHAM NASH on the CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG classic "Teach Your Children."

AMANDA OVERMYER, CARLY SMITHSON, KRISTY LEE COOK, RAMIELE MALUBAY and Brooke all belted out a DONNA SUMMER medley, only to be joined in song by the disco diva herself. And last, the entire top 12 performed a trio of GEORGE MICHAEL hits -- right before the star singer himself strode onto the stage for surprise solo performance!

Other big names to perform included season four winner CARRIE UNDERWOOD, the JONAS BROTHERS and JORDIN SPARKS, who delivered her final performance as reigning "Idol" champ.

Hollywood also turned out for the grand finale! MIKE MYERS -- or rather, Pitka, his alter-ego from the upcoming comedy 'The Love Guru,' showed up to give some loopy advice to the Top 2 and the "Idol" judges. Late night talk show host JIMMY KIMMEL returned to roast Simon and the entire show a little more. And via special effects, the trio of BEN STILLER, JACK BLACK and ROBERT DOWNEY JR. became GLADYS KNIGHT's backup singers THE PIPS in a comical music video.

Stars spotted in the live audience included TERI HATCHER, JERI RYAN and -- perhaps the grandest surprise of the night -- former "Idol" hopeful SANJAYA.