From People online...

Cowell revealed why he believes Jordin Sparks is the new American Idol. "Jordin was the most improved over the whole season," he says. "She didn't start the best but midway through, this was the girl who suddenly got momentum."

Still, Cowell feels that Sparks wasn't necessarily the one who deserved the title. "Melinda should have won," he says. "She tried the hardest, was consistently the best and had the best voice."

But Cowell's praise doesn't always have the intended effect and he knows it. "I think about it now – whether I should have endorsed her as much as [I did]," he says. "I think it was the right thing to do."

I don't think Jordin improved that much... she was always at the same level, talent-wise.

And what does he mean Melinda "tried the hardest"? He can think she's the most talented, that's fine, but I think it's unfair of him to say she tried harder than the others.

I agree with Simon as far as Melinda being the most consistant and having the best voice. Thats not to say that some of the others were not good too.