EXCLUSIVE: American Idol's Crystal Bowersox Was Bullied At School

She may be on the cusp of fame and fortune, but American Idol favorite Crystal Bowersox knows what it’s like to be unpopular because she was humiliated in high school for being poor, RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned.

The single mom from Ohio has been wowing the judges with her Janis Joplin style vocals and last week after she performed Tracy Chapman’s Give Me A Reason Simon Cowell told her: “You are the one everybody has to beat, I am telling you. It’s yours to lose.”

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But those ringing words of endorsement from the multi millionaire music mogul are a million miles away from what Bowersox experienced at Oak Harbor High School near Toledo, Ohio.

A source told RadarOnline.com: “Those were difficult times for Crystal, her parents divorced when she was a young child and she did not come from a wealthy background or anything like that.

“When she was part of the swim team she used to have to wear Goodwill bathing suits and the other kids would tease her about that and because she didn’t fit in.

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“That really hurt Crystal and she hopes that her own son won’t experience anything like that because she know what it is like to feel like an outsider.”

Despite her problems Bowersox found refuge in her music and she graduated from Toledo School Of Arts while playing area clubs at night to earn extra cash.

She later moved to Chicago where she played bigger venues before returning to Ohio to perform with her childhood friend and musician Frank May.

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After having her baby son, Tony, Bowersox decided to audition for Idol and her rise from rags to riches is now unfolding before America.

The source added: “Crystal is no longer with the baby’s father but everything she is doing is motivated with a deep desire to provide a better life for her son.”

It’s rumored that she has a new love interest and at Tuesday night’s audition she was spotted wearing a ring on the engagement finger of her left hand.

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But sources close to the performer claim that she hasn’t gotten engaged yet and she does wear jewelry on this finger from time to time.

One thing’s for sure, though, if she does go on to win the ultimate popularity contest American Idol she will be able to put those cruel High School jibes behind her forever.