YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Country singer Tate Stevens wins Fox's 'X Factor'

    Associated Press – Fri, Dec 21, 2012 6:23 AM EST

    NEW YORK (AP) — Tate Stevens, who was mentored by music exec L.A. Reid on the second season of "The X Factor," has won the Fox singing competition.

    The 37-year-old country singer from Belton, Mo., beat runner-up Carly Rose Sonenclar, a 13-year-old schoolgirl from Westchester, N.Y., and teenage girl group Fifth Harmony on the finale that aired live Thursday night.

    Stevens wins a $5 million recording contract.

    More than 35 million votes were cast by viewers after Wednesday's performance show.

    Besides Reid, judges this season included Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and series creator Simon Cowell.

    Thursday's show was also the grand finale for Reid. Earlier this month, he said he wouldn't be returning to "The X Factor" next year. No replacement has been announced.

    News for You

    • Restaurant learns online reviews can make or break

      SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — It was the customer service disaster heard around the Internet.

    • Attorney: Donald Trump lied on stand

      CHICAGO (AP) — The attorney for an 87-year-old woman who accuses Donald Trump of cheating her in a skyscraper condo deal told Chicago jurors on Wednesday that he was personally repulsed by the "Apprentice" star whom he said lied on the witness stand.

    • The new consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony

      NEW YORK (AP) — Microsoft is the last of the three big video game console makers to unveil its latest gaming system. The unveiling comes nearly eight years after the Xbox 360 went on sale. It follows last fall's debut of Nintendo's Wii U and a preview in February of the upcoming PlayStation 4 from Sony.

    • Singer Kellie Pickler named new 'Dancing' champ

      LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kellie Pickler came into the final "Dancing With the Stars" episode in second place but finished in first.

    • Woman on Trump: 'Somebody had to stand up to him'

      CHICAGO (AP) — An 87-year-old woman who alleges Donald Trump cheated her in a skyscraper-condo sale told jurors Monday she had qualms about suing the real estate mogul and TV celebrity. But, she quickly added, "Somebody had to stand up to him."

    • Douglas, Damon dramatize a steamy show-biz affair

      NEW YORK (AP) — The idea of Michael Douglas playing Liberace might seem nearly as outrageous as Liberace himself.

    Show More