The ninth season of “American Idol”, also known as “The Season of the Girl” has officially closed, with Lee DeWyze taking home the title. Ryan Seacrest announced the winner the way Maury reveals paternity tests. Indeed, DeWyze is “the father”. 24-year-old DeWyze, a paint salesperson from Mount Prospect, Ill., was named the champion on Wednesday night over Crystal Bowersox, a 24-year-old single mom from Elliston, Ohio. Only two percent of the vote separated DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox.
DeWyze was deeply impressed by the win because he didn’t get the best critique from the judges on Tuesday night. He burst into tears. He paced around the stage in shock, as the 7,000-person crowd at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles applauded for him. “It’s amazing, thank you guys so much for everything, thank you,” he said. Then he began singing U2’s “Beautiful Day“, which will be the first single he releases as “Idol” champion.
But before the announcement of the winner, former judge Paula Abdul appeared on stage and opened the tribute for judge Cowell, who was leaving “American Idol” to host his own show “The X-Factor” next year. Producers organized a star-studded performance featuring past winners (dressed in black) and past contestants (wearing white). With the exception of David Cook and Adam Lambert, most of the past “Idol” favorites showed up, even ones Simon supposedly hates. Alice Cooper, Chicago, Joe Cocker, Darryl Hall and John Oates, the Bee Gees, they all took the stage.
Alice Cooper joined a chorus singing “School’s Out”, Bee Gees hit the stage with Siobhan Magnus and Aaron Kelly for “How Deep Is Your Love” and Michael Lynche dueted with Michael McDonald on the Doobie Brothers’ “Takin’ It to the Streets.” Alanis Morissette dueted with Crystal on a G-rated “You Oughta Know” and Christina Aguilera sang her new 18-minute-long ballad. Carrie Underwood sang, “Undo It” and Kris Allen rocked his new single, “Yo, Seacrest, Your Microphone Is on During My Performance and That’s Annoying” while Janet Jackson had a choreographed version of “Nasty.” Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Taylor Hicks and Kris Allen took the stage together and were joined by memorable “Idol” faces Justin Guarini, Ace Young, Michael Johns, David Archuleta, Bo Bice, Elliott Yamin, Jason Castro and Melinda Doolittle as they sang, “See what we’ve all become — together we are one.”
Fresh off a hemorrhage and a stroke, Bret Michaels, the winner of Celebrity Apprentice, performed the Poison ballad “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” alongside fellow golden-locked singer Casey James. Then, Simon Cowell took to the stage to thank fans and tell them that it doesn’t matter who replaces him as judge on the show because it’s the voters who are really the ones doing the work: “I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support, [and] the fun. The show goes forward, it will be different.”
