The X Factor crowned a winner last night with country music sensation Tate Stevens. While the voting seemed divided before the Dec. 20 finale, judge and series creator Simon Cowell feels the right contestant won the $5 million recording contract.

When asked if Tate was the right person to win, Simon said, “I have to say yes. There are times on these shows when you think, ‘Oh god after all this time the wrong person won’ – but you know, when he sang that song at the end and you hear how good his voice is and his story, you could not NOT root for him. I think America got it right. It’s a great ending.”

“I look at him and Carly, one is 13 years old and the other is 37 and married with kids, my heart says it has to go to him because he needs it more than she does,” Simon added.

When can we expect an album from Tate?

“It has to come out by July/August next year. But they’ve already started working on his album. John Shanks who was on the show wanted to work with him regardless and started working on material. The country world has really embraced this guy. They think he is the real deal. Like I said on the show last night, I think he’s going to sell a lot of records this guy. I think he’s going to fill the spot Garth Brooks was, that market,” Simon said.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Did the right person win?

WATCH: Tate Stevens Wins X Factor & Craziest Moments!

— Chris Rogers

Follow
@ChrisRogers86
More X Factor:

1. Fifth Harmony Should Win ‘The X Factor’ — But They Won’t
2. Simon Cowell: Carly Rose Sonenclar Will Win ‘The X Factor’
3. Simon Cowell & Carmen Electra’s Sexy PDA Revealed

Country crooner Tate Stevens has been at the top of the voting results on The X Factor for the past few weeks, which makes it seem very likely that he will be involved in this season’s finale extravaganza. Tate’s dream duet, should he make it there? None other than the legendary Garth Brooks!

After his performance on the Wednesday, Nov. 21 episode, Tate spoke with reporters backstage, where he was asked which established singer would be his dream to sing with in the finale. Tate answered, “You know what, I would probably say if I could have Garth Brooks come and do something with me, that would be so cool.”

The frontrunner added, “I’ve been a fan of his forever. That would be kind of cool, that would be awesome and a blessing.” Something tells us Tate just might get his wish!

Do you think Tate will make it to the finale, HollywoodLifers?

– Reporting by Russ Weakland, Written by Billy Nilles

More X Factor on HollywoodLife.com:

1. L.A. Reid: Don’t Mess With Britney Spears — She’ll Slash You
2. ‘X Factor’s Jennel Garcia Angry She Followed Demi Lovato’s Advice
3. Khloé Kardashian: Lamar Odom Makes Fun Of My ‘X Factor’ Voice

The country superstar, author and stepmother of three girls is ready for another year of cooking and singing!

With two successful cookbooks, most recently Home Cooking With Trisha Yearwood, 12 studio albums, and three Grammy awards we can’t wait to see what Trisha Yearwood has in store for us next. As a stepmother to husband Garth Brook’s daughters Taylor, 18, August, 16, and Allie. 14, Trisha says “I love having them all the time. You fall in love with them. You learn why people have kids.” We hope the girls cook up something yummy to help you celebrate your big day!Hey moms, want to know what today has in store for you? Click on your sign below for your momscope. Astrology.com has all the details!

Powered by Astrology.com

For your daily love, career, beauty, food, & dogscopes click on your sign!

Aquarius January 20 - February 18	Pisces February 19 - March 20	Aries March 21 - April 19	Taurus April 20 - May 20
Gemini May 21 - June 20	Cancer June 21- July 23	Leo July 24 - August 22	Virgo August 23 - September 22
Libra September 23 - October 22	Scorpio October 23 - November 21	Sagittarius November 22 - December 21	Capricorn December 22 - January 19

Courtesy of Redbook

Wow, it sounds like Tricia Yearwood and Garth Brooks‘ lives really revolve around food! And one cheesy noodle dish in particular.

Tricia tells Redbook magazine, “[Garth] jokes how, when he first got divorced and moved to Oklahoma and had the girls every other day, the three of them ate a lot of boxed macaroni and cheese and chicken tenders.” But now, “He is really an experimental cook. He came up with this breakfast bowl, but it’s not really a recipe. It’s more like a bunch of really great things thrown into a bowl.”

But, she and her husband of nearly five years sure make a good pair! Tricia says, “I love cheese and I love cheese in everything. Macaroni and cheese is probably one of my favorite things in the world. I don’t care if it’s from a box or a school cafeteria.” OK! We get it!  But … that’s not all.

“In [Home Cooking With Tricia Yearwood], I’ve included a Crock-Pot recipe for mac and cheese that is one of the best things in the whole world. I can’t make it that often, because I will eat the entire thing. But my motto’s always been, Everything in moderation – including moderation.”

We guess everything … except for Macaroni & Cheese!

Read More About Other Country Music Stars!

1. WATCH!  Brad Paisley Was Hospitalized After An Accident at His Concert!
2. Go Taylor Swift!  You Were Nominated for FIVE Academy of Country Music Awards!
3. Taylor Swift On Winning the Big Grammy: ‘I Never Actually Thought It Might Happen!’
4. Yee-haw!  Leighton Meester is Test-Driving a Career in Country Music!