Tate Stevens was stunned to scoop “The X Factor’s” top prize on Thursday night.
“It’s amazing. I still don’t know what to say. It’s so crazy,” he told Access Hollywood backstage after the show. “This whole thing is spinning fast and I can’t feel my feet. I don’t know.”
“The thought that people liked what I did that much? It’s very cool,” he added.
WATCH: Tate Stevens On The X Factor Finale: ‘I Don’t Want To Go Back To Doing Asphalt Work’
The moment his name was called, the country singer turned to his coach – departing “X Factor” judge L.A. Reid.
Backstage, Tate recounted to Access what he told his coach on stage.
“I was like, ‘We did it!’ and we had a big old man hug,” Tate said. “But you know what? It’s (shrugs)… Yeah, I turned into a big puddle of mush up there. But it’s very cool. I’m so blessed. I don’t even know what to say. I’m blessed. This is crazy.”
WATCH: L.A. Reid: ‘I Will Not Return To The X Factor’ For Season 3 (Access Exclusive)
Winning “The X Factor” comes with a $5 million prize, but Tate isn’t dreaming of how he’s going to spend it just yet.
“No, I haven’t thought [of that]… I have no idea what I’m doing,” he continued. “It’s very surreal… I’m freaking out.”
Tate’s family was on hand to celebrate his win, but he said he had a hard time communicating with them because he was still trying to take it all in.
“I feel bad ‘cause I’m so scatterbrained right now. I can’t focus on anything, so I feel bad for them,” he told Access. “But this is amazing and I’m gonna run with this ‘X Factor’ thing until I die. I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity.”
Carly Rose Sonenclar came in second, while Fifth Harmony came in third.
— Jolie Lash
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