Quebec's soul diva Eva Avila has been crowned the new Canadian Idol.
The 19-year-old edged her younger competitor Craig Sharpe by just over 131,000 votes in a tight race that CTV officials say was determined by fans in western Canada. Sharpe, from Newfoundland and Labrador, is just 16.
Avila's win drew cheers from hundreds of friends and family that watched the show from a massive party at city hall in Gatineau, Que.
Avila thanked those fans in an emotional address that followed performances by chart-topper Nelly Furtado, last year's winner Melissa O'Neil, and the eight other contestants in this year's final 10.
"I'm just one tiny person on this planet but thanks to you guys, I'm feeling like I'm sitting on top of the world," Avila said.
"I could not be happier."
She closed the show with a rendition of the next Canadian Idol single, Meant to Fly, penned by singer-songwriters Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida.
Throughout the series, Avila, an R&B-tinged singer who considered Furtado her idol, earned praise from the judges for her pose and mature vocals.
But it was not an easy win.
Avila, who snags a record deal with Sony BMG and blanket publicity, won by a margin of just three per cent from the nearly four million votes cast.
Canadian Idol officials said she and Sharpe were at a virtual tie when voting closed at 11 p.m. EDT following their last performance Monday.
Sharpe, the youngest top-10 competitor, often appeared awkward on stage but won consistent praise from the judges for his powerful voice.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams and MPs Loyola Hearn and Fabian Manning were among the fans to cheer him on in the Toronto studio.
On Sunday, Canadian Idol officials announced that '80s sensation Cyndi Lauper has agreed to produce a track on Avila's CD, due this fall, while country star Martina McBride has invited Avila to join her on the Canadian leg of her tour next summer.
Lauper coached and performed on the show in July while McBride mentored the contestants in August.
The final episode launched with a medley of pop hits sung by previous competitors, including Avila's new beau, 18-year-old Chad Doucette of East Chezzetcook, N.S.
Celebrities in the audience included actress Amanda Bynes and stars of Degrassi: the Next Generation, Lauren Collins and Adamp Ruggiero.