Who Will Be Crowned the Next American Idol

Catch up on Idol's Latest Happenings

Crystal and Lee performing

              American Idol season nine is nearing its finale. They started with over 100,000 people and are down to only two. They all share the same dream, but only one can make that dream, become a reality, to be the next American Idol.

            The final three contestants gave their best shot in their performances Tuesday night to make it to the finale. Each contestant performed two songs, one of their own song choices, and the other a judge had hand picked. 27 year old Casey James was the first to take the stage. He chose “Okay, It’s Alright with Me” by Eric Hutchinson. The judges were not amazed and which he had brought more to the song. For the judge’s choice, Kara Dioguardi and Randy Jackson picked “Daughters” by John Mayer. He was praised for his second performance and was told the song “fit him like a glove.” Next up was 24 year old Crystal Bowersox. For her own choice she chose “Come to my Window” by Melissa Etheridge. The four judges agreed that she performed it well but the arrangement of the song was nothing to die to for. On her second song Ellen Degeneres chose “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney. It was unanimous that she was in it to win it, and it was great that she showed some range. Closing the show was 24 year old Lee DeWyze. He chose “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Judge Kara declared that round one of contestants choice went to Lee. Simon Cowell chose “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley for Lee to perform. Everyone in the stadium including the judges agreed that Lee was unbelievably stunning, and had just owned the whole entire night. However on Wednesday, it was Casey James that fell short of the finale.

            Idol is left with Ellison, Ohio’s Crystal Bowersox and Mount Prospect, Illinois’ Lee DeWyze. Next Wednesday, May the 26^th, the season nine American Idol will be announced. Will it be Crystal or Lee? Six season Idol fan, Christy G. says “ Lee better win. If Crystal wins, I am never watching that show again. I hate her.” Fellow classmate Melanie R. agrees that Lee should win it all. It’s all up to how the two finalists perform next Tuesday and if the fans vote enough for their favorite.

            However that is not the only big thing happening on May 26^th. That Wednesday, Simon Cowell’s American Idol judging days will come to an end. Simon’s UK show “X-Factor” will start airing the United States in the fall of 2011. He felt that it wasn’t right to be doing two shows in America, so he decided to leave one and start the other. Dana B. and Aranessa B. both feel that after Simon leaves, next seasons ratings for Idol will reduce a little bit because he was a fan favorite judge. Tune in on Channel 12 FOX Tuesday to catch the finale showdown and Wednesday to see who gets crowned the winner of American Idol season nine. 

For more information, check out the Official American Idol Website : http://www.americanidol.com//

- Apoorva Ayyagari