American Idol hopefuls Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze faced off in front of 7,000 people at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles Tuesday night, and RadarOnline.com has the scoop for you on the show’s ninth season finale.
RadarOnline.com’s David Viggiano was front and center for the action, where Bowersox, a 24-year-old Ohio native, shined so bright that judge Kara DioGuardi declared her rendition of Patty Griffin‘s Up To The Mountain her “defining moment of the season.”
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Simon Cowell agreed as well, saying, “That was by far the best performance and song of the night — outstanding.”
Watch the video on RadarOnline.com
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DeWyze, 24-year-old Illinois native, struggled a bit with nerves during his songs (Simon & Garfunkel’s The Boxer; R.E.M.‘s Everybody Hurts; U2‘s Beautiful Day), prompting Cowell to point out that the butterflies in his stomach were taking over.
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“You’re nervous,” Cowell told DeWyze. “When you come out for your final performance, I want a ten out of ten.”
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Bowersox — who also received rave reviews for her renditions of Janis Joplin‘s Me and Bobby McGee and Alannah Myles‘ Black Velvet — said not to expect too much hysterics from her if she follows in the footsteps of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood in becoming the next American Idol.
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“I’m just a mellow person,” Bowersox said. “I’m personally interested in seeing how I’m gonna react tomorrow. I don’t know — I may hoot and holler or something.”
Christina Aguilera is slated to perform on Wednesday’s season finale, which will also include a farewell tribute planned for the departing Cowell, and a special return visit from former judge Paula Abdul.
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The next American Idol will be crowned on Fox Wednesday, beginning at 8/7c.
