WATCH: Arkansas resident wins 'American Idol' in show's final season

Malvern resident Trent Harmon, a Mississippi native and graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, is the final winner of American Idol.

The results were announced as lights were dimmed for the last time Thursday on the Fox singing competition.

Harmon performed two songs Wednesday before viewers cast their last votes this season, including “Falling” — a song that will be released as his first single after winning. The song is now available for purchase on iTunes.

"I worked so hard, and I know that I have a God-given ability," Harmon said shortly after winning.

A tearful Harmon then performed "Falling" on stage as confetti filled the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

He also sang a rendition of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” and Sia's "Chandelier" on Wednesday.

Harmon, 25, who described himself as just a "dude from Mississippi," waited tables at his family's restaurant in Amory before trying out for "American Idol."

[PLAYLIST: Watch all of Trent Harmon's performances on American Idol here]

He won viewers over with his supple vocals and increasingly assured stage presence, and they voted him into history as the show's last champion. Harmon earned a record contract along with the honor.

Harmon told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in March that, win or lose, he would stick with music as a career, saying he’s had offers to do shows while appearing on the show.

He drove to Arkansas from Mississippi the night before his audition in Little Rock to play at a wedding reception in Hot Springs the night of his audition, according to the newspaper.

Last year, Harmon planted Arkansas roots when he moved to Malvern to be closer to his girlfriend.

La’Porsha Renae of McComb, Miss., who also auditioned in Little Rock last summer, was the runner-up in the show's final season. Renae, 22, also from Mississippi, the town of McComb, is a single mom who inspired viewers with her triumph over domestic abuse as well as a richly powerful voice.

Harmon is the second American Idol contestant with Arkansas ties to secure the top prize. In 2009, Conway native Kris Allen became the show’s eighth winner.

Thursday’s two-hour series finale included reflections from past judges as well as performances from contestants spanning all of the show’s 15 seasons.

Among the judges were the three originals — Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson — who appeared on stage.

"American Idol," once a ratings powerhouse that influenced TV and music, had suffered steady audience erosion before Fox decided it would end this season.

Series executive producer Nigel Lythgoe promised the finale would celebrate its large ranks of contestants, not big-name guests as in previous years, and he stuck to that pledge.

The show opened with a harmonizing chorus of white-clad winners and contenders including Scotty McCreery, Taylor Hicks and Diana DeGarmo.

Other familiar faces from years past popped up in solos and group numbers, including Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, David Cook, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Jordin Sparks and Kimberley Locke.

Judges got in on the act as well. Keith Urban and Underwood dueted, while Harry Connick Jr. saluted a music center in New Orleans' Katrina battered-Ninth Ward by inviting a young student, Marley Fletcher, to join him on "It's a Wonderful World." Jennifer Lopez performed her new single.

Clarkson, who's expecting her second child soon, appeared in a pre-taped performance.

President Barack Obama was the unexpected opening act. In apparently pre-taped remarks, Obama congratulated the show on its long run and noted that it motivated millions of young people to vote for contestants.

Then he made a pitch for Americans to demonstrate that same eagerness at the polls, calling voting the most fundamental and sacred rite of democracy. "I believe it should be almost as easy as voting on 'American Idol.' And we're working on that," Obama said.

Seacrest got the finals — if enigmatic — words Thursday. "Good night, America," he said. Then as the screen faded to black, he added, "For now."