• 
  (Photo: Reuters / Sarah Conard)
  American Idol Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery performs during Wal-Mart Stores Inc's annual general meeting in Fayetteville, Arkansas on June 3, 2011.

"American Idol" champion Scotty McCreery has officially reached platinum status with his album Clear As Day.

Released three months ago, McCreery's debut album reached the coveted platinum status after he became the second highest selling "American Idol" artist of all time.

Clear As Day has sold over one million copies as of this week 2012. Billboard magazine named McCreery at the top of their list of 2011's Top New Country Artists.

"It means the world to me," said the 18-year-old singer of his album being certified platinum. "Its one of the highest honors you can get with your album and its a huge testament to the loyalty of country music fans and how great they have been this year."

In his statement, McCreery also recounted what 2011 has meant to him.

"2011 was absolutely an incredible, life-changing year for me. I want to say a huge thanks to fans for this," McCreery said.

Follow us

Last year, McCreery received the top honor at December's American Country Music Awards with the Artist of the Year Award.

"Never in a million years did I dream that the album would go platinum," added the singer. "It's wild! It's going to take me a few months or years to really wrap my head around it."

McCreery's first single off of the new album, titled "I Love You This Big," has been certified gold. "The Trouble With Girls" has almost reached gold status as well.

The singer is an outspoken Christian and often thanks God for his musical success. Upon winning season 10 of "American Idol," McCreery, wearing a cross around his neck, said to the audience, "I've got to thank the Lord first; He got me here."

Also, in an interview with PopCrush recently, the singer discussed his "God-given talent" of singing.

"You know everybody has that certain thing where God blessed them with something and gives them that special talent whether it's music or sports or writing or anything," explained McCreery. "So, [it is] just one of those things God blessed me with – the rhythm."

McCreery kicks off his first country music tour on Thursday alongside country music superstar Brad Paisley.