Fantasia Barrino: American Idol! Credit: Fox

Fantasia Barrino's fantasy of pop stardom became a reality Wednesday night when she was named the winner of "American Idol."

Barrino grabbed runner-up Diana DeGarmo in a bear hug and twisted her around as tears streamed down her face.

"Thank you so much," she sobbed. "I broke my shoe!"

Then she added: "I been through some things but I worked hard to get to where I'm at."

Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo Credit: Fox

Barrino, a 19-year-old single mother from High Point, N.C., with a powerful, gospel-tinged voice, topped DeGarmo, an effervescent 16-year-old from Snellville, Ga.

DeGarmo continued smiling through tears in defeat: "I'm so proud to have come here with Fantasia. She's my girl and you guys will treat her well."

After the show, Barrino told reporters backstage that she wanted the win for herself and for her 2-year-old daughter, Zion.

Fantasia Barrino Credit: Fox

"I want to be able to take care of my own child, I want to be a good mommy and now I can do it," she said.

The judges of the Fox TV singing contest had pretty much crowned Barrino the winner the previous night, when she dazzled them with a powerful version of Gershwin's "Summertime" and two other songs.

Tamyra Gray Credit: Fox

But judges don't pick the winner - America does, through phone and text-message votes. Host Ryan Seacrest said a record 65 million phone votes were cast, up from 24 million for last season's finale.