For millions who voted for Lee DeWyze, it was a beautiful day.

Personally, I think the paint sales guy deserves his new crown. It has been a slow rise to the top for Lee. And it was indeed an amazing journey for him. In fact, I am at peace whether Lee or Crystal wins. Both are equally talented and hardworking. Both deserve to own a record.

Looking forward to buying their CD’s. Can’t wait.

Of course, Crystal Bowersox is a clear winner given the judges’ consistent praises for her hard work and exceptional talent. But, if I were Crystal, I wouldn’t rest on my laurels yet. Lee DeWyze is a superstar in the making. The guy is said to most likely follow the steps of Daughtry to a record-smashing stardom. People talk about Lee the way one would rave about alli weight loss products. In fact, Kara can already hear Lee’s voice over the radio and the judges seemed to agree. Simon Cowell was so pleased about him he described his last performance as “brilliant”.

Try listening to “Predicament” – Lee’s single from his debut album “So I Was Told” from an independent record company in Chicago called Wuli Records. He actually have two albums recorded under Wuli before he auditioned in American Idol. They’re sold online through Amazon.

Whoever wins between Crystal and Lee, I would still buy both of their records.

And of course we know that Big Mike survived the ax that night. The judges ruled to his favor and he was given another week more.

After American Idol came Glee. The last two episodes leading to the sectionals were simply about scandals and revelations. While the plot was pretty predictable (I always knew it’s going to be Emma and Will in the end, and Sue will need eye cream for wrinkles as she would never cease on plotting Shuester’s downfall), the show choir performances were great. Better than High School Musical in a lot of ways.

I just love Wednesdays.

I join millions of people who admire Lee Dewyze for his great voice. He’s actually got what it takes to make it to the Top 3. (Alright, my Top 3 – Crystal, Andrew and him. Sorry, I am not a Siobhan fan. I don’t like listening to records that end up with too much screaming.) Talent is not his problem. Neither his good looks. The way he sees at himself on stage is. He sorely lacks confidence. He hardly makes eye contact. Lee is a reluctant singer who doesn’t want to draw people’s attention to himself. Whatever it was that bothered him, whether it has to do with his upbringing as kid, or him selling car paints, insurance quotes or drilling in oil fields, it doesn’t actually matter. It’s hard for people with good set of ears not to notice his singing.

I hope he realizes that next time he’s up there under the spotlight. Keep it up. I’ll buy your record.

Crystal Bowersox came a long way from Ohio to get a piece of Hollywood and try her luck doing what she really does best – singing. If you have seen her since Idol started, she was a plain and simple 24-year-old farmer who easily nailed down songs of Alanis Morissette and Tracy Chapman. And you can’t even say that she’s got the star quality or look that can wow millions of voters. Like Simon said, they sort of underestimated her.

Turns out that Crystal is one tough serious artist everyone has to beat. Well, good luck to all of them.

On the side note, has anyone tried proactiv? Watson is distributing it locally at around P2,500 for a 30-day trial kit, and almost P4000 for a 60-day supply.

Wow.

That was my reaction when I played his “Straight Up” Hollywood piece. It was a Paula Abdul original but Andrew Garcia turned it around into something that made everyone gasped. Because it was oh so good you won’t believe your ears. Even Simon was floored by his performance, ” “The only person who’s walked through today who I genuinely believe is a good singer…a genuinely, genuinely, good, good singer…”

Of course, after that audition piece went on air, I’ve read a couple of queries on his ethnic background. Most people back here asked if he is a Filipino. Sure he does look like one – with dark hair and a built that seemed to be in need of weight loss products prescription. But Andrew Garcia is a pure-blooded Latino. His girlfiend/wife, according to news, is a Filipina named Christine Concepcion. Satisfied?

Andrew Garcia is already a dad living with his family in Moreno Valley. They say that his parents grew up in the streets of Compton and were very active in the gangster lifestyle. But somehow life changed a bit and we can see how Andrew cherished his young family by spending more time with them.

Watch out for this guy.

I missed the first three seasons of American Idol which left me basically clueless about Kelly, Reuben and Fantasia. Together with the rest of big winners, it’s interesting to see how they all started by watching their audition videos. I think one thing they had in common was they already knew they would make it big time.

Kelly Clarkson, Season 1 winner, was the first Idol to win two Grammy Awards in 2006 for her album “Breakaway”.

Season 2 winner and Grammy nominee Reuben Studdard won by a close margin of 134k votes against runner-up Clay Aiken.

Eight-time Grammy Award nominee Fantasia Barrino was the youngest Idol winner at 19 until Jordin Sparks.

Country singer and Martina McBride fan Carrie Underwood has a string of big wins after her AI experience.

Despite his AI success, Taylor Hicks didn’t do well in selling his post American Idol album. But we really can’t tell what the future has for him, right?

Jordin Sparks was the youngest contestant to win American Idol at 16. Her records has been popular among the younger crowd. Long way to go.

Season 7 winner David Cook is a big Daughtry fan and has been known for his out-of-the-box takes on popular songs during his AI days that wowed millions.

By the way, it’s going to be a long weekend this week. I hope everyone enjoys it the way people vacationing at Outer Banks do.

American Idol Kris Allen

It has always been Danny Gokey for me since Day 1. But there came Glambert, Allison and Scott the blind man. Then a couple of attention-starved freaks. Like Bikini Girl. Kris Allen was not even in my consciousness until he reached the finals, surprised everyone with how he nailed down “Heartless” and had his name engraved in Idol history. It was a huge upset that kept people buzzing until now. And some were literally upset at the results. Squabbles over AI results exploded online among adults acting like 10-year-olds.

Why did Kris Allen win?

5. He’s a church boy, like Gokey. And majority of Christian America definitely cast their votes on him. After all, family welfare first when it comes to TV watching.

4. He is the good guy-next-door, a low-key charmer, unassuming and refreshing. Kuya Emann said, “The voting was much more like like marrying someone. People like to be associated with a rebel, rugged looking type , but when it comes to marrying someone they wanted to be with a decent looking one. Ikaw ba gusto mong pakasalan yung lalaking mas makapal pang maglagay ng eyeliner kesa sa iyo?” Okay. Fine.

3. The consolation-prize comments the judges gave him on the last night of the competition made him so kawawa. They were almost short of crowning Adam Glambert the winner. Voters felt they had to fight for Kris to stay alive in the competition.

2. His version of Kanye West’s “Heartless”, a song for Simon, actually did it.

1. You voted. Someone even power voted him 2200 times.

If you didn’t know a darn thing about the new American Idol the way I remain clueless about rv parks, here are some juicy bits I pilfered from a fan website.

- He was born on June 21st, 1985 as Kristopher Neil Allen.
- Grew up in Jacksonville, Arkansas but now lives in Conway.
- Attended College Station Elementary, Fuller Junior High, and Mills University Studies High School as a student in the gifted and talented program.
- Leads worship at New Life Churches in Central Arkansas and is a member of Chi Alpha at the University of Central Arkansas.
- Did missionary work in the following countries: Morocco, Spain, Mozambique, South Africa, Thailand, and Burma.
- Can play a variety of instruments, including the guitar, piano, viola, and ukulele.
- Started playing the viola in 4th grade, became All-State in high school and received opportunities to play in college orchestras, but declined.
- Fan of the Packers and the Braves, and even played varsity baseball throughout high school.
- Married to Katy Allen, a former homecoming queen at the University of Arkansas.
- Kris is a business major at the UCA.
- One sibling, Daniel, a cheerleader UCA.
- Has a shetland sheepdog named Elvis.
- Has one less rib that had to be surgically removed in junior high.

Guess this means you’re sorry
You’re standing at my door
Guess this means you take back
What you said before
Like how much you wanted
Anyone but me
Said you’d never come back
But here you are again
Cuz we belong together now
Forever united here somehow
You got a piece of me
And honestly
My life would suck without you
Maybe I was stupid for telling you goodbye
Maybe I was wrong for tryin’ to pick a fight
I know that I’ve got issues
But you’re pretty messed up too
Anyway, I found out I’m nothing without you
Cuz we belong together now
Forever united here somehow
You got a piece of me
And honestly
My life would suck without you
Being with you is so dysfunctional
I really shouldn’t miss you, but I can’t let go
Oh yeah
Cuz we belong together now
Forever united here somehow
You got a piece of me
And honestly
My life would suck without you

Back to American Idol Season 8 Finale, I have high hopes for Kris Allen. If he would continue doing something brave and amazing like what he did to a Kanye West song, chances are high that he’d be taking home the title. Adam Lambert is good, but I find his voice somehow screechy.

In other words, I like Danny Gokey. Ha ha.

Or maybe I haven’t read the papers lately. I was busy saving the world.

Now, that Skechers-sponsored billboard of David Cook on top of one of those steel buildings in Edsa contained little to no details of the concert. Just May 16. No mentions of the venue, time and place. Weird.

But for your benefit here are the concert and ticket details from the Ticketworld:

Date: May 16, 2009
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds

TITANIUM:
PhP 12,425.00

PLATINUM:
PhP 6,215.00

VIP:
PhP 3,625.00

GOLD:
PhP 2,075.00

SILVER:
PhP 625.00

BRONZE:
Php 315.00