As ratings continuing on a downward spiral and with 14 seasons down and one to go, 29-year old Nick Fradiani, from Guilford, Conn. was announced as the winner of American Idol XIV Wednesday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Fradiani outdistanced Clark Beckham, 22, from White House, Tenn., in the season finale. Rating numbers were not available Wednesday, but a 1.2 rating of Tuesday’s first of two shows this week, was the show’s lowest ever as less than 6 million viewers tuned in. In the show, third-place finisher Jax, from East Brunswick, N.J., was eliminated at the show’s opening before the two finalists performed.

Two weeks ago it was announced that next season, the show’s 15th, would be its finale. On-line auditions are already underway, a bus stop tour (venue to be determined) audition in San Diego will be held on June 22 and the closest regular audition site will be in San Francisco at a date and site to be determined later.

The American Idol Summer Tour, although reduced from 10 to the Top 5 contestants will continue with 37 stops around the country starting July 7 in Clearwater, Fla.  This season’s Top 5 – Clark Beckham, Jax, Nick Fradiani, Rayvon Owen, and Tyanna Jones – will perform at the Wells Fargo Center Aug. 22.

(Visited 3 times, 1 visits today)