Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox on their ‘friendly competition’
With the Season 9 finale less than 24 hours away, Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze took a timeout from rehearsals to greet the press on Monday afternoon. Both seemed relaxed, upbeat and confident, insisting that theirs is a “friendly competition.” “This is what we’ve wanted, ” said Crystal. “We’re living our dreams.”
To that end, Lee is still pinching himself. “It’s overwhelming, ” he admitted. “To go from where we were to here is a big deal.” And in staring down the finish line, Lee is looking to let go of the nerves and have fun. “I want to do my thing, be myself and enjoy it, rather than be afraid of it.”
Finale-specific questions were off-limits, but one fantasy bandied about — having the two of them perform original songs — was addressed. Read on for that answer and highlights from the news conference…
EXCLUSIVE! Think Lee DeWyze Sounds Like Joe Cocker? Guess What? They’ll Be Singing Together On The ‘Idol’ Finale!
When Lee DeWyze performed Joe Cocker’s hit, “The Letter”, on American Idol March 23, you couldn’t help but agree that their voices are pretty similar. In fact, you might just say Lee, 24, is a baby Cocker in the making! It’s a good thing, too, because as it happens, the 66-year-old British singer will be appearing on the Idol finale this week — and performing with the final two contestants Lee and Crystal Bowersox!
An insider tells HollywoodLife.com exclusively that the trio will be performing together on May 26 — right before a season 9 Idol winner is crowned. Although we’re uncertain of song selection at the moment, we really, REALLY hope not to hear “Up Where We Belong.”
It’s press day at the Nokia
Check out some photos from today’s Idol press junket at the Nokia theater. Idols past and present dropped by to meet with the press. Photos: Mix 106.3, Q104. In town for the junket: Elliott Yamin, Taylor Hicks, Kris Allen (his family will be attending the finale!), Constantine Maroulis, Jordin Sparks, Melinda Doolittle and more.
SYTYCD alum Kherington Payne joins the Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin has at last revealed who will be joining Nicole Scherzinger in the group after the departure of three members early this year. On Saturday, Antin tweeted a photo of the new group.
The four new members are Kherington Payne from “So You Think You Can Dance”; former Lakers Girl Vanessa Curry; Rino Nakasone-Razalan, a former Harajuku Girl and member of “America’s Best Dance Crew” runners-up Beat Freaks, and former Girlicious member Jamie Lee Ruiz. Antin tweeted that the photo was taken after the Dolls performed at a private party.
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Why Crystal Bowersox Will Win ‘American Idol’
There are those seasons of “American Idol” when one contestant develops over the course of the show, has a breakthrough performance midway through and grows into a worthy champion by the finale. Kelly Clarkson and David Cook, I’m looking at you.
This is not one of those seasons. This year is a Carrie Underwood kind of season, where it’s been apparent from the post-Hollywood rounds who is going to win this thing. This year, it’s Crystal Bowersox.
Why Lee DeWyze Will Win ‘American Idol’
Let’s face it: “American Idol” season nine has always been Lee DeWyze’s or Crystal Bowersox’s to lose. Simon Cowell’s been a fan of both since Hollywood Week, which feels like months ag–oh, right. They each came in with a solid command of their voices (and guitars/harmonica), made acutely self-aware song choices, and honed their stage presence as the weeks went by.
Just as important — they’ve stayed humble, they have adorably proud parents, and they’ve cried onstage.
Paige Miles Day: American Idol finalist to perform Friday
Former “American Idol” contestant Paige Miles will make an appearance at her old stomping grounds Friday.
Miles will give a special performance at her high school, The Community School of Naples, at 2:30 p.m. Friday. The performance is only open to students, parents and alumni. Miles will sing and answer questions from her former classmates.
Miles was eliminated from the show in March. She made the final top 12 contestants.
video: Bo Bice Strums Out New Country-Flavored Ditties Just For Us!
Bo Bice may have come in second to Carrie Underwood on American Idol’s fourth season, but around these parts he’s a first-class act.
The Nashville resident and daddy of three just dropped his third album, the aptly-titled 3, which I reviewed in Us a few weeks ago. Bice gave UsMagazine.com a private concert May 18 when he popped my office for an impromptu jam session featuring two of the numbers from his new disc: “You Take Yourself With You” and “Long Road Back, ” a song available on iTunes, with sales going to aid Nashville flood victims.
American Idol Finalist Kevin Covais Joins the Diabetes Diplomats to Raise Funds For the Diabetes Research Institute
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., May 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Carefree beach days and kick-back vacations are the embodiment of summer. Yet, a number of families affected by diabetes won’t be so idle this summer. They’ll join American Idol finalist Kevin Covais by becoming Diabetes Diplomats and organizing their own summer fundraising project to support the Diabetes Research Institute, a world leader in the search for a cure. As part of his efforts, Covais has created a series of public service announcements urging kids and families alike, “Don’t Be Idle…Be the Hero!” [Click to view video of the first PSA of the series.]
‘American Idol’s’ Kimberly Caldwell: Crystal Bowersox is her Season 9 winner
Zap2it recently caught up with Kimberly Caldwell, the adorable husky-voiced “American Idol” Season 2 finalist, at the swanky W hotel in Hollywood. We just had to get the dirt on this year’s Idol finalists.
“I of course, like everybody else on the planet, love Crystal Bowersox, ” Kimberly tells us. “I love the fact that she’s so raw and she’s real and she’s a bad-ass.”
EXCLUSIVE! ‘American Idol’ Alumna Diana DeGarmo Is Rooting For Crystal Bowersox To Beat Lee DeWyze!
It’s almost here! Tues., May 25, marks the beginning of the two day season 9 finale of American Idol and it’s going to be a battle of talent between Ohio’s Crystal Bowersox, 24, and Illinois boy Lee DeWyze. So who does season three runner-up Diana DeGarmo want to win? ”I would like to see Crystal win because I would like to see a female take it home, ” Diana, who currently stars Hair on Broadway, told HollywoodLife.com exclusively May 24 at the Hair/Bumble and Bumble Cut-in in NYC. “I think they’re both great [but, ] we’ve had two guitar playing guys win the last two years. It’s time for a lady to take it!”
Photo Coverage: HAIR Gets Hair Cuts to Aid Gulf Oil Spill
Stylists from Bumble and bumble gave free haircuts to Tribe members of HAIR, including Diana DeGarmo, and HAIR fans today in an effort to collect hair clippings to be used to create highly absorbent hair booms to help contain the oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the event!
Specifically, the hair trimmings collected during this event will be donated to Matter of Trust, an environmental non-profit that has helped clean up oil spills since 1998 by reusing donated hair clippings from hair salons, barber shops, pet groomers, and wool farmers. Stuffing this donated hair into donated nylon stockings, this organization is creating highly absorbent booms to help contain the oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. For more information about Matter of Trust and the oil spill relief effort, visit www.matteroftrust.org.
Cowell: Fergie ‘looked a bit stressed’: VIDEO
Sarah Ferguson eluded the media at a charity event on Sunday night in Los Angeles, where she received an award for her work with underprivileged children.
Fellow award-winner Simon Cowell admitted that the Dutchess of York looked “a bit stressed” at the event, but praised her for attending and for her charity work.
‘Dancing With the Stars’: Who should and will win?
Only a few hours left until the always ridiculata-infused freestyle round in tonight’s Dancing With the Stars performance finals. As we gear up for part 1 of the season 10 finale (8 ET on ABC), take a leisurely Viennese waltz down Planet Mirrorballus’ sparkle-studded Mammary Lane and relive Erin Andrews, Evan Lysacek, and Nicole Scherzinger’s best and worst dances in today’s photo gallery! Then vote for who should and will win, below. I’m going with Evan, for both…
If you missed Sunday’s Simpson’s featuring Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Ellen Degeneres and Kara Dioguradi, watch it here:
