‘American Idol’ Winner Scotty McCreary Engaged To Longtime Girlfriend Gabi Dugal

“American Idol” winner Scotty McCreary proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Gabi Dugal, in North Carolina on Tuesday.

After his kindergarten sweetheart said yes, McCreery released a statement expressing his excitement over the special moment. “I’ve been planning this moment for so long that it feels surreal for it to have finally happened. Gabi is the perfect girl and my true love, and I cannot wait to begin building our life together as husband and wife,” he said.

According to Entertainment Tonight, the singer made sure everything will be perfect when he proposes to his girlfriend, who works as a pediatric cardiac nurse. After planning the proposal and helping design the engagement ring, McCreery asked Dugal to on a hike with him on their favorite trial. When they reached the top, he got down on one knee and popped the question.

The same publication also revealed that McCreery and Dugal first met in kindergarten, and at a very young age she was already certain she would become Mrs. McCreery. The two started dating six years ago, and Dugal has also starred in some of the singer’s music videos.

“My fans instantly embraced Gabi once they learned we were dating and have always been loving towards her. When she graduated college last year, many of them brought me gifts for her at my shows and book signings. I will always appreciate their kindness to her,” he said.

In July, McCreery shared a beautiful photo of himself with his girlfriend at one of their friend’s wedding. Dugal posed with a bouquet of flowers, and McCreery revealed that she was the one who caught it at the wedding reception. Two months later, McCreery lived up to the meaning behind catching the bouquet and proposed to Dugal.

Also in July, McCreery made headlines after he allegedly tried to board a plane with a loaded gun in his bag. Immediately after the incident, McCreery explained that he forgot that he had a gun in his bag and released a statement. “I have been a concealed carry permit holder for a while now after being robbed at gunpoint in 2014, and I take gun safety very seriously,” he said.