Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina sing on Tuesday's "American Idol" finale in what will be the youngest ever Top 2 pairing -- and the first all-country music climax to the 10 year-old singing contest.
The winner, chosen by viewer votes, will be crowned at the end of a two-hour live show on Wednesday on the Fox network and gets a guaranteed recording contract with Universal Music.
Following are brief profiles of the two finalists on America's most-watched TV show;
SCOTTY MCCREERY - Age 17, from Garner, North Carolina. Known for his unusually deep voice and poise on stage that belies his youth. A former grocery store clerk who learned to play the guitar at age 10 and liked to impersonate Elvis Presley. A devout Christian who sings in a church choir and wears a prominent cross around his neck. Regards country singer Josh Turner as his idol and has rarely ventured into genres outside country music while on "American Idol". Quietly confident, unfailingly polite, Scotty is also known for his sometimes corny facial expressions to the camera while performing.
LAUREN ALAINA - Age 16, from Rossville, Georgia. Former high school cheerleader and youngest contestant to reach the "Idol" finale. Wanted to audition since the age of 6. Praised for her husky tone, she counts country singers Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood as her idols. Famously persuaded judge Steven Tyler to join her in singing the 1998 Aerosmith hit "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" at her "Idol" audition. Lauren is also a Christian who resisted referring to herself as "evil" in the lyrics of a song in an earlier round of the show. Sweet natured, but sensitive to criticism and quick to tears.