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The list that started in 2002 with then-unknown, now-superstar Kelly Clarkson has a new name: Nick Fradiani of Guilford won the 14th season of “American Idol” on Wednesday night.

The announcement came at the end of a two-hour, star-studded live season finale on Fox. When “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest opened the envelope to announce that Fradiani had bested Clark Beckham in nationwide voting, Fradiani was briefly stunned speechless.

Then he hugged all the Top 12 Idols as they spilled onto the stage and ran into the audience to hug his tearful parents, Nick and Elizabeth Fradiani, and his sister, Kristen.

About 400 people at an “Idol” viewing party behind St. George Church on the Guilford town green exploded with screams and cheers when Fradiani was announced as winner.

Fradiani’s “coronation” song, “Beautiful Life,” written by West Hartford native Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional, played as confetti poured down in the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. That song, which was released on iTunes this week, will be released to radio, too.

On Thursday, Fradiani will sign a recording contract with Big Machine Records of Nashville, whose CEO, Scott Borchetta, is a mentor on the TV show.

The Guilford viewing party attracted Fradiani fans of all ages. Team Nick brought chairs, blankets and sleeping bags and enjoyed free pizza, popcorn, hot dogs, chips and “Fradiani Frenzy” ice cream provided by Guilford merchants.

“Everybody we asked to help with food, they said yes, immediately,” said Jason Iglesias, co-owner of The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center, who organized the exhibit with co-owner Dee Jacob. “Everybody wanted to be involved with it.”

A drive-in-movie atmosphere took over the parking lot of the Catholic church, whose parishioners were inside celebrating their annual Our Lady of Fatima feast. “Idol” began as the church bells chimed the 8 p.m. hour.

“To see so many people doing something so lovely, it’s fantastic,” said Mark Klein, owner of Purple Bear, the toy shop on the green.

Elaine Rundin of Guilford said that even people in town who don’t know Fradiani feel as if they do. “Everybody has six degrees of separation,” she said.

The crowd outside, covered up against the chilly evening, watched the 40-foot by 45-foot inflatable screen. They shrieked and clapped whenever their local hero showed his face on screen.

The hooting was especially enthusiastic for footage of Fradiani’s May 1 concert on the green and when Fradiani appeared on screen with Nick Abraham, his musical mentor and Beach Avenue bandmate. Both Nicks were awarded new cars from the show’s sponsor, Ford. Fradiani’s other bandmate in the West Haven-based band also was in the Hollywood audience, as were about 30 Fradiani relatives.

Wednesday’s two-hour season finale saw all the Top 12 Idols return, performing with celebrity acts that The Jacksons, Nile Rogers, Chic, Janelle Monae, Jamie Foxx, New Kids on the Block and Steven Tyler.

Fradiani performed with Ricky Martin, along with the other Top 12 men, and alone with Andy Grammer.

The three judges, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr., also performed. All three will return to the judging panel next year, which will be the final year for the Fox show.