'Idol' Lee DeWyze Says Simon Cowell Is Irreplaceable

By Amber James Posted Jul 28th 2010 01:20PM

It's been two months since Lee DeWyze was crowned the season 9 winner of 'American Idol,' but he's still trying to soak it all in. The Illinois-born singer, who just a year ago was selling paint at Mt. Prospect Paint, Inc., became an instant heartthrob for millions of viewers, who fell in love with his shy-guy persona and charm. For now, he's reveling in his new-found fame and hasn't lost sight of the great opportunities that lay ahead. "My life is completely different than it was a year ago. I'm taking each day step-by-step because it is all new to me. But I'm happy where I'm at. It's a good place to be," he tells PopEater from his midtown Manhattan hotel.

DeWyze first auditioned in Chicago at the United Center with the song 'Ain't No Sunshine,' and was one of only 13 people from the Windy City to make it through to 'AI's' Hollywood Week. He caught Simon Cowell's attention, and took the judges' criticisms seriously because he wanted to win.

"When Simon said on the show, 'Prepare your songs the way you'd want them to be on your album,' it really helped me. It made sense. Why wouldn't I want to do that? Instead of going up an singing a Shania Twain song exactly like Shania Twain, I learned to sing it my way," he said.

The strategy worked and DeWyze flew through every round. He never landed in the bottom three, and in the end beat Crystal Bowersox for the 'American Idol' crown.

In an instant, 24-year-old DeWyze was riding high, scoring a recording contract with Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment and RCA Records -- joining the ranks of previous 'Idol' winners like Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Carrie Underwood and Kris Allen. His popularity exploded overnight. Fans began pouring their support for him into letters and sent him so many stuffed animals it'd make FAO Schwarz jealous. But he admits the "fandemonium" has been strange -- one fan actually sent him her birth certificate. Seriously.

He's taking all the attention in stride.

Now on the road for the 'American Idols Live' tour, he's loving the fact that he can finally sing "more than 90 seconds of a song." His first single, a cover of U2's 'Beautiful Day,' was released as a digital single on May 27 -- but he's "done with covers for a while," he jokes.

Instead of riding on the coattails of past hit songs, he wants an album that showcases his chops with original material. "My goal isn't to throw a bunch of things against the wall and hope something sticks," he says about his as-yet-untitled album. "This is my first album, and I want it to reflect who I am."

With musical influences like Cat Stevens, Eric Clapton and Simon & Garfunkel, DeWyze's post-'Idol' album will include original pop and folk songs. The tentative release date is October 26.

DeWyze couldn't be happier with the 'Idol' experience, but he admits he has put his romantic life on the back burner since winning the title. "I'm a relationship guy ... But there is just so much going on, it wouldn't be fair to her or me," he says. Sorry, ladies.

As FOX prepares to usher in a new 'Idol' for its tenth season, DeWyze is skeptical, admitting the new contestants will never get to experience the wrath -- and frank advice -- of judge Simon Cowell. "These 15-year-olds only know of this big scary guy on 'American Idol,' and now he's not there," DeWyze laments, adding no one will ever be able to replace Cowell and his infamous persona.

But the show will go on, he says.

The talented star is ready to step aside and let another big-eyed dreamer leap into America's hearts. As for himself, he is ready to "step it up" and show the world he is not a one-hit wonder.

"For me, it isn't just about this moment. This is all a building process towards my dream," he says. "Music is it for me right now. This is what I love."

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=913146&pid=913145&uts=1280333649

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/music/?s_channel=us.musicpop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

LeeDewyze

'American Idol' season 9 winner Lee Dewyze performs on 'Good Morning America' on July 9, 2010 in New York City.

Getty Images

Getty Images North America

Lee DeWyze Snapshots

American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park on July 9, 2010 in New York City. 2010 "American Idol" Top 10 Perform On ABC's "Good Morning America" Rumsey Playfield, Central Park New York, NY United States July 9, 2010 Photo by Janette Pellegrini/WireImage.com To license this image (61008052), contact WireImage.com

Lee DeWyze Snapshots

American Idol contestants from left to right, Katie Stevens, Lee DeWyze and Andrew Garcia perform in Central Park, on ABC's "Good Morning America" show, in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

Lee DeWyze Snapshots

American Idol contestants from left to right, Michael Lynche, Katie Stevens, Lee DeWyze and Andrew Garcia perform in Central Park, on ABC's "Good Morning America" show, in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

Lee DeWyze Snapshots

American Idol contestants from left to right, Michael Lynche, Katie Stevens and Lee DeWyze perform in Central Park, on ABC's "Good Morning America" show, in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

Lee DeWyze Snapshots

American Idol winner Lee DeWyze performs in Central Park, on ABC's "Good Morning America" show, in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

Lee DeWyze Snapshots

American Idol winner Lee DeWyze performs in Central Park, on ABC's "Good Morning America" show, in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

Lee DeWyze Snapshots

American Idol winner Lee DeWyze performs in Central Park, on ABC's "Good Morning America" show, in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

Lee DeWyze Snapshots

NEW YORK - JULY 09: "American Idol" season 9 winner singer Lee Dewyze performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park on July 9, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lee Dewyze

Lee DeWyze Snapshots

Follow Us on Twitter Friend Us on Facebook

Tags: American Idol, lee dewyze

Comments

(39)

Saturday 31 July

By vickie

Vote down Vote up Report this

yea....but simone really "courted"him...if you watched the show....simone really wanted him to win....anyone is replaceable because nothing stays the same............

I have never missed an american idol show....jennifer lopez would be wonderful to replace anyone of them .She knows the ups and downs of the music business....why would anyone even mention donald trump?he is disgusting....no...not good...eww...

By Meg

I agree Vickie.

By Bud Slattery

This Lee is no doubt a nice kid but he has the charisma of a gnat. I was beyond shocked that he won Idol.
I can't fathom anyone buying his first album let alone paying to see him in concert. Next stop, oblivion.

By Teri

Why not choose a judge who has proven musical success? For example, ( not that they/he ever would ) Paul McCartney,( they have the money ) James Taylor, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, etc. They would have to be wildly popular now for the show's success. As for now I might check it out just for curiosity's sake but really kinda burnt out.

By BV

Simon Cowell "Irreplacable" Hey ! Lee Dweeb; Didn't you know that the graveyard is full of irreplaceble people?? Dweeb is even worse that last year's What's-his-name ! Hopefully with new judges, maybe they will have some talent this year. However, the bar was set by Adam Lambert, never to be met again. Probably the last year for Idol. AI: R.I.P.

By paradise

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I will really miss Simon. I love him and his brash, bad-boy ways. But face it, one monkey don't stop no show unless it's a
one monkey show!

As far as J Lo is concerned. I don't believe I can watch AI if she's on.

By filly

The show will end without Simon,or maybe they should get a guy who no one knows and is not some famous person and give them a chance to be something that the public thinks is important,Simon will be so missed as I do not think anyone could replace him.We need to just get rid of this show anyway and people need to quit putting those so called famous people where they should be on the same level as everyone.Why is it people rate others higher then themselves and thing cause someone sings or is some sort of stupid star is more worthy of praise then the guy who just stoped his car to help an old lady cross the street.We put toooo much on all this and not enough on what is really important in life beside fricking MONEY,,,,,,,help others and make someone's day...PAY IT FOREARD,,,,,and make yourself feel good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By FILLY

sorry meant,,,,, PAY IT FORWARD ,,, lol

By lg

the only reason thay simon cowell supported dwyze is that he knew what a huge fan base dewyz had. simon runs with someone as long as he knows that someone will win public vote-wise.
simon follows the stats.

By Snore

Lee Who????????

By CarmRaney

No talent!!!! Will soon fade away. The "talent" on this years American Idol was almost nonexistent. Maybe "Idol" should also fade away.

By LaShea

Sold out? LMAO! The tour has officially tanked this year with several concert dates cancelled and two weeks lobbed of the tour. People don't want to pay to see 6 OR 7 people who are AWFUL, especially LeeFlat Dweebwize....A high school drop out who couldn't put a coherent sentence together much less carry a tune. I saw them in Charlotte and had to leave after his first song...flat all the time and no stage presence at ALL...totally deadpan. Crystal and Casey were GREAT...Siobhan and Aaron were OK. The rest....BLEH! HORRIBLE!!! I'm so glad somebody gifted me a ticket...if I had paid for that I'd be totally pissed off!

By Kurt and Jen

It does not matter who the best singer is. You have to be unique. Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Britney Spears, ... are not the best vocally, but they have an interesting and unique voice. Plenty of nice voices without record contracts or that have failed in this industry. Time will tell, as ultimately it is the music/lyrics that differentiate.

Sunday 01 August

By mytwocents

I thought Lee had potential but he was nowhere near the best to win Idol. I saw an Idol concert a couple weeks ago and Crystal totally blew my mind. She is absolutely incredible live. The TV show did not do her justice although she sounded great on there, too. Crystal and Casey have real talent to sell records and do shows. The others were just okay. I'm glad I went to the show just to see Crystal and Casey. We had good seats and it was fun. As far as Lee, he does seem like a good person but he just doesn't have the personality needed or presence needed or the talent to be in the position he is in. I disagree about Kris Allen. He has a LOT of talent. He plays a couple instruments and he has a good voice. I don't think Lee's voice is there yet. He needs a lot of practice to get to where he needs to be.

By Matt

Gilbert Gottfreid would be a great judge. He would definitely tell it like it is.

By bobbi

Lee, best of luck, I think your great, and I know you'll do great forever. Stay humble, and enjoy!!

No One can replace Simon. So far no one replaced Paula.
Simon, Paula, and Randy where the best, they made the show.

THE WORST THINK YOU DID WAS PUT CARA ON. SHE WAS A NIGHTMARE.
If she was still on next year, that would be it for me.
And I am a huge fan of the show.
J Lo would be great. Everyone loves her. Randy is always Great!
Finding someone to replace Simon, GOOD LUCK, I have no idea.
It's a great show, I hope it stays on.
Good Luck.

Friday 06 August

By harmoniize

LEE DEWYZE you are "SIMPLY THE BEST"!!! You are just so naturally talented and have an incredible "LEGENDARY VOICE"!!! When you sing, your voice just speaks right thru our hearts. (Too those people bashing LEE, get a life!!! If you are Crystal fans, do her a favor and stop all those negative talks, after all they are good friends, respect each other and they are both together in the AI tour!!!

Thursday 12 August

By Doris

I think that the economy, and the lack of money for a lot of people is the reason for cancelling shows. I think that Lee is an amazing performer and will go far in the music industry. I can't wait to buy his album.

Page 2 of 2