In all of the years that I have been covering reality television, I have never seen a last episode like The X Factor‘s second season finale. Right up until the last minute, experts, journalists, and fans alike really weren’t sure about who would take home the $5 million recording contract. While that might surprise some, given that Tate Stevens and Carly Rose Sonenclar traded the #1 and #2 positions for the show’s entire run, the minute difference between them spoke volumes about the state of reality television singing competitions in general.
Would America reward the cutesy teenager with the booming ballad voice tone or the country singer who already looks like he has been performing with Garth Brooks for years?
In the end, Tate Stevens pulled off the win and deservedly so. He was unequivocally the best on Wednesday night and I am always happy when the best performer wins.
I had the chance to catch up with Tate Stevens on Thursday December 20 on the carpet moments after he was declared the winner of Season 2. We discuss what he will do with the $5 million, what kind of sound we can expect from his new record, what his kids are getting for Christmas and how we are wearing the same color.
Check it out!