<p>Fans of "American Idol" contestant Fantasia Barrino held a viewing party Wednesday, awaiting to learn if the local favorite would beat out a perky teen from Georgia for the singing title.</p><p>About 8,100 of Barrino's fans attended the party at the Greensboro Coliseum located just 15 miles from Barrino's hometown of High Point. Doors opened at 6 p.m., and by 5 p.m., about 1,000 people waited in line.</p><p>When doors opened, the crowd rushed through, then cheered constantly.</p><p>DeeDee Watts, 35, sat in the front row at the viewing party and said that _ win or lose_ Fantasia is still "incredible."</p><p>"She put High Point on the map," Watts said.</p><p>"American Idol" aired on two big-screen televisions and the Jumbotron. Clay Aiken of Raleigh, last year's runner-up of the Fox television show, was there as host.</p><p>Barrino, 19, and 16-year-old Georgia native Diana DeGarmo competed for the "Idol" title and a guaranteed record contract.</p><p>The third "Idol" contest was the second in which Southerners competed on the final night. In 2003, Alabama's Ruben Studdard beat out Aiken.</p><p>Barrino won the support of millions of voters and the admiration of Idol's judges with powerful performances delivered to a nationwide television in her trademark raspy voice and energetic style.</p><p>Barrino sang three songs in Tuesday night's performance, wowing "Idol" judges once again with her rendition of "Summertime," which judge Randy Jackson said was the best in three seasons of the singing contest.</p><p>Her first performance, of "All My Life," disappointed the "Idol" judges and left Simon Cowell hoping for better subsequent performances.</p><p>Barrino delivered, receiving standing ovations from the judges for her last two performances. Cowell even told her she was the "best contestant" of any "Idol" show around the world.</p><p>After performing "I Believe," co-written by former "Idol" contestant Tamyra Gray, Cowell predicted that the song was the tearful Barrino's "acceptance speech."</p><p>"Idol" fans had four hours _ and extra phone lines _ to vote Tuesday night for their preferred performer _ and many who attended a viewing party in High Point had their cell phones at the ready as the broadcast ended.</p><p>Barrino's began her "Idol" trek to reality-show fame at an Atlanta audition and her talent has won high praise ever since. Barrino spent her childhood singing at her close-knit community church, Mercy Outreach Ministry.</p><p>Her dreams of singing stardom could have been derailed by teenage motherhood and her 2-year-old daughter Zion, but Barrino refused, leaning on family and friends for support and prayer.</p><p>The contest reached the highest levels of state government, with North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue placing friendly wagers. Easley bet North Carolina blueberries and NASCAR tickets against Perdue's Georgia peaches and NASCAR tickets.</p><p>Both governors had urged state residents to support their home contestant.</p><p>Aiken told the resident "Clayniacs" that the night is not for him.</p><p>"Tonight is about Fantasia," Aiken said. "It's not about me."</p>
