The most anticipated night of the year has just happened and the winner is Lee DeWyze. While Crystal Bowersox was the early favorite, Lee DeWyze has really come out of his shell to gain the support and votes of fans. But the whole finale was like a blast from the past. And one wonders if it was because the whole show was also the farewell show for the esteemed judge Simon Cowell.
It started out with the Top 12 in
school uniform singing Alice Cooper’s “Schools Out” (For Summer) with Orianthi jamming on the guitar. And after a few minutes in the song the rock legend Alice Cooper himself performed with the group. I don’t know if the Millenials or Generation Y appreciated his presence but definitely the Gen X did. Then out came last year’s winner Kris Allen performing his single “The Truth” and he really showed the audience why he won the title last season. A video clip showing some of the most “famous” insults ever made by Simon Cowell was shown which everyone found funny and enjoyable. This season’s fan favorites Siobhan Magnus and Aaron Kelly sang “How Deep is Your Love” when the BeeGees came on the stage to sing with them. Big Mike sang a song with Michael McDonald while the Top 6 girls belted it out with Cristina Aguilera.
Then next we see the Top 6 guys singing a melody of Hall and Oates and then Daryl and John came out and sang. There were also memorable duets between the Top 3 starting with Crystal Bowersox and Alanis Morisette and Casey James and Bret Michaels. Lee DeWyze on the other hand joined Chicago in performing “Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is”. Carrie Underwood sang her smash hit “Undo It” which she co-wrote Kara DioGuardi.
One of the most applauded, she even got a standing ovation from all the audience, was the appearance of Paula Abdul for the send-off for Simon. She hasn’t changed one bit, still ditzy as ever, and the audience loved it. She started the emotional farewell for Simon which featured all the AI winners, except David Cook who was unable to attend due to a previous commitment for a charity concert, singing "Together We Are One". Previous contestants also sang along with them to pay tribute to the man who gave them a break. Simon was also teary-eyed when he gave his thank you and good-bye speech.
The Top 12 without Lee and Crystal performed with Janet Jackson then the top 2 performed with Joe Cocker. And when Ryan Seacrest next came out it was to say dim the lights and to announce the winner. Clearly Lee DeWyze was nervous and teary-eyed with Crystal calming him. Looking simple in a
white polo, coat and tie, Lee DeWyze was announced the winner of American Idol Season 9. This really shocked him that he walked around almost in a daze amidst all the confetti but then he composed himself to sing the final song of the evening.
