Lee DeWyze Takes First Over Crystal Bowersox (See Kris Allen & Adam Lambert Last Year) - What's Up with American Idol?

There was no question that Crystal Bowersox outsang Lee DeWyze in the finals - just read the various reviews. In fact, from the beginning Crystal outsang everyone. From the beginning, Crystal Bowersox came across like a complete pro. She knew who she was, had great stage presence, and was a total package ready to launch into musicdom from the very beginning of American Idol Season 9.

Lee DeWyze started off this season's American Idol a bit on the shy and unsure side. He grew with every performance, which was a good thing, because otherwise he would have been voted off the Idol Island long ago. To give him his due, Lee is a good singer and I'm sure will do well under the 19 Entertainment contract he has now signed.

Crystal Bowersox will not only do well, I predict she will totally overtake Lee in terms of CD sales, concert attendance, and devoted fans over the next year. Her career, should she want it to, will expand and grow, even going international within a year.

Remind You of Last Year?

Does any of this sound familiar? Substitute in the above paragraphs "Kris Allen" for "Lee DeWyze" and "Adam Lambert" for "Crystal Bowersox" and you pretty much have the tale of what happened on last year's American Idol, Season 8.

Kris Allen's career since American Idol has been good and steady, but let's face it - Adam Lambert's career has skyrocketed. He was asked to do the theme song for a movie (2012), asked to perform on numerous TV shows, including the infamous AMA awards, and has totally outsold Kris Allen in CD's, concert attendance, videos, and in purchases on iTunes. Adam Lambert has been on an international tour already, pleasing multitudes of fans from Australia, Asia, and Europe. Even devoted Allen fans must admit that Adam has surpassed Kris in sales and fans. Not to take anything away from Kris - he is an accomplished singer and talented guitarist in his own right, and we love him.

So I have to wonder - why is it that the arguably better singers-performers come in second on American Idol? Is there something wrong with American Idol and its voting system? Or does the fault simply lie with the American public voting for the more clean cut, all-American, apple pie look? I hate to tell you, American public, but rock and roll stars generally aren't the apple pie, clean cut type. No Frank Sinatras among rock 'n' rollers, so don't look for him there. Instead, look for someone who sings and performs superbly.

Is Something Wrong with the American Idol Voting System?

Last year when Kris Allen and Adam Lambert performed on the finals, I voted until my fingers nearly fell off - for Adam, as you might have guessed. I know that some of my texted votes were not counted, as I never received confirmation for many of them, and I heard the same from other Adam fans in the fan forums.

Were the voting lines for Adam Lambert just so jammed and backed up that some votes just fell off and couldn't get counted? Who knows? Also, you may remember the hushed-up scandal that Kris Allen fans were given - free of charge - AT&T phones with which to text in votes (see NY Times article). (I had to pay for my own AT&T phone to text-vote for Adam.) Did any of these things affect the outcome of the votes? Someone may know, but I don't.

Or were there behind-the-scenes manipulations and decisions made so that clean cut Kris Allen was certain to win over flashy, glammed-up, gay Adam Lambert? Did American Idol high muckety-mucks possibly not want Adam to represent them and their brand? Is American Idol another $64,000 Question scandal in the making? Far be it from me to cast aspersions on such a fine institution as American Idol, who does so much for young budding stars. It doesn't really matter in any case - it's all water under the bridge now.

History Repeats Itself

What bothers me is that history seems to have repeated itself. What happened with Adam and Kris seems to have happened again with Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox. One thing stuck out to me on finals night. If you saw the lineup of former American Idol winners, you might have noticed a few things. All winners of former American Idol seasons look mainstream and "safe". Prior American Idol winners look - shall I say it again - all-American, apple pie, and clean cut.

So is it because middle America just can't stand the thought of "weird" people winning American Idol and so vote for the more mainstream performer - regardless of singing and performing ability? The general consensus has been that both Crystal Bowersox and Adam Lambert were/are better singers and performers than the people that took first place in their respective American Idol seasons.

Prejudice Among the Viewing Audience?

Even some elderly folks I know clearly admitted that they did not at all like Crystal Bowersox because of her tattoos, "that thing in her lip", and decided that she must not be a "good person" because of how she looks. Nevertheless, they said on finals night that they definitely thought Crystal should win - this boldly said in spite of their prejudices. They admitted that she totally outsang and outperformed Lee DeWyze. But had they voted, guess who they would have voted for? Lee, of course.

So does the fault lie in how Americans - particularly those in middle America - perceive the singers? Do the less proficient singers come in first simply because they look more mainstream?

I don't know and at this point, I don't really care. I am thoroughly disillusioned with the way American Idol has gone and with the stamped-out performers they seem to turn out. Think of the singer-performers who likely would not have won, had they gone through the American Idol system - any one of the Beatles, Mick Jagger, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Elton John - and yes, even Elvis Presley, who was highly edited in his day and way ahead of his time. That's not to mention anyone from punk rock, heavy metal, grunge, or rap.

The truth of the matter is that in every generation the young people will do things, adopt certain looks, and express interest in a certain type of music that the older generation will hate. And that "horrible" music, in twenty years, will be the mainstream stuff piped into elevators. I have seen/heard it happen myself and just have to shake my head and laugh.

What American Idol Truly Is

So let's call American Idol what it truly is - not a search for the best singer in America, but a search for the best singer in America who fits into a certain category... the best all-American, apple pie, "normal"-looking, mainstream singer in America. And for that, they do a good job.

I can live with that. At least I will no longer be upset and disillusioned when the best singer in each season does not win. From now on, I will watch - if I watch - American Idol, knowing what "type" of person will win regardless of their singing ability.

So to those who have not won on American Idol, to those who may look a little different - especially to Adam Lambert and Crystal Bowersox - I say, do not despair. There is an audience out here for you - people who actually buy CD's and attend concerts - and we are eagerly waiting for what you're going to do next. We are numerous - even massive - and we will sell out your concerts in ten minutes flat (just ask Adam Lambert). I can't say the same for those who come in first place on American Idol.

However - peace be to all. I hope each and every one of the American Idol winners and contestants sees their dreams come true.