The ultimate 'American Idol' power ranking: 120 contestants on, Kelly Clarkson still reigns supreme
It's often been said that "American Idol" is really just a popularity contest. Sure, singing and Showmanship is important, as is a contestant's back-story and TV persona, but when it comes to advancing in the competition, many an inferior vocalist have managed to make it well past their expiration date. And then comes life after "Idol," where alumni often have similar options -- put out an Album, audition for stage roles, take the Reality show route -- some achieving more success than others....

'Idolatry': Lee's win, Simon's exit, Crystal's 'moment,' and the future of female contestants on 'American Idol'
Image Credit: Ray Mickshaw/Fox/PictureGroup (3); Michaels & Case The ninth Season of American Idol is over, and huge questions about the future of the franchise hang heavy in the air: Can a female contestant ever again win this show? Will Idol ‘s producers admit their failings when it comes to theme nights and song lists? Will Ellen DeGeneres stop behaving like a kindly pre-school Teacher and start behaving like a Reality TV judge? And can Idol stay relevant after Simon...

American Idol Top 2 Get Record Deals
American Idol champion Lee Dewyze and runner up Crystal Bowersox have both signed their recording contracts. The 24-year old season 9 winner is signed to 19 Recordings and RCA Records while the 24-year old Janis Joplin sound alike is signed to 19 Recordings and Jive Records.

"Mama Sox" on Her Way: Crystal Bowersox Signs Record
That’s the question on everyone’s mind as the 24-year-old single mom settles into her life, post-Idol. Just two days after placing second in this year’s contest, the 2010 American Idol runner-up signed a record deal last week. Bowersox will be appearing on 19 Recordings and Jive Records, while winner Lee Dewyze will be fronted by 19 Recordings and RCA. Mama Sox now shares a label with Jordin Sparks, David Archueltta and Kris Allen. (As well as Britney Spears, Justin...

Finale Week Song List
On Tuesday night, Crystal Bowersox and Lee Dewyze each sang three songs on the last performance show of Season 9. They took the stage at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, and it was up to America to decide who would be the next American Idol. At the end of the night, Pop Idol's first winner, Will Young , sang the Season 9 send-off song, "Leave Right Now." Here is the list of songs from the final performance show: Lee Dewyze " "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel Crystal Bowersox...

'American Idol' Season 9 Winner, Lee DeWyze, Visits Disney World
American Idol finalist Lee Dewyze defeated fellow contestant Crystal Bowersox in last Wednesday's results finale to become the winner of the reality competition series' ninth season. According to MTV.com , Dewyze continues to make his rounds of in-person appearances and television Talk Show interviews that he will be involved in by paying a visit to Lake Buena Vista, Florida's Walt Disney World Resort. The American Idol winner was spotted hanging out with Mickey and Minnie Mouse as a...

American Idol 9 Finale Red Carpet Pictures
Mega picture post! Kris Allen, David Archuleta, Crystal Bowersox, Cat Deeley, Ellen DeGeneres, Lee Dewyze, Kara DioGuardi, Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks and Will Young!

Best 'Idol' reaction videos
During the seasons when "American Idol" isn't all that entertaining to watch, the reactions to the results of the finale almost always provide a chuckle. Buzzfeed has rounded up 10 of the best reaction videos courtesy of YouTube where fans of the show lose it over the announcement of who is the winner of "Idol." The videos range from a little kid who laments "I didn't win" and gets teary over Adam Lambert's loss to Kris Allen last season to a group of tweens (some wearing...

'Idol' DeWyze, Bowersox visit Disney World
Fox American Idol winner Lee Dewyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox have been spotted visiting Disney World over the Memorial Day weekend. According to Just Jared , Dewyze was at the Florida theme park to film his commercial for the resort, which features him shouting: "I'm going to Disney World!" He was later spotted posing with characters at the American Idol Experience attraction. Bowersox - who split from boyfriend Tony just before the Fox competition's finale - was seen walking around...

Bret Michaels Reveals He May Replace Simon Cowell On 'American Idol'
Every rose has its thorn, just like every night has its dawn. Bret Michaels' surprise performance on American Idol 's Season Finale last week is catapulting Bret's life and career into a new day. Michaels revealed to his audience in Biloxi, Mississippi on Friday that American Idol execs have offered him Simon Cowell's spot on the next Season of American Idol . TMZ posted a video of Bret Michaels during his performance in Biloxi late last week. Just before he breaks into "Every Rose Has...

Mike Amato: Simon Cowell's AI Spill: Time to "Top Kill" American Idol
I'm sorry, I'm a little upset. After watching Rachel Maddow's reporting on the BP spill, I think I need one of those "Top Hats" to stop my reignited fury at G.W. Bush and his oily-garchy, and how the slick -- I mean the "legacy" -- he left behind still manages to fuck the Gulf Coast long after his Retirement. (I also need it to stop me from making "Junk Shot" jokes...) But instead, I'll do what Rachel says BP should be doing. I'll drill a relief well to channel my bile in a different...

Brett Michaels as Simon Cowell's replacement on American Idol?
Now that Simon Cowell officially resigned as American Idol’s judge, producers of the show will have a hard time finding someone who knows a lot about the industry and someone who is popular enough to bring viewers back to Idol, despite the fact that Simon (Idol's best judge ever) is gone. After the Season Finale when Brett Michaels performed "Every Rose Has its Thorn," the show's producers reportedly asked the Poison singer to have a permanent part on the show next year. Michaels...

Lee DeWyze " Some cool facts you would love to know about the hot Idol star!
Meet Lee Dewyze, the winner of the American Idol Season 9. The dove-eyed boy from Mount Prospect, Illinois had been an underdog throughout the season, and just when everyone thought that Crystal Bowersox would walk away with the crown, Lee snatched the title from the supermom Mamasox. One needs to witness the five months long journey of Lee in American Idol to believe how destiny can change one's life so fast. It is indeed interesting to see how a paint salesman from Mount Prospect Paint store...

American Idol 2010: Lee DeWyze 'Adam Lambert is an awesome and genuine guy'
American Idol winner Lee Dewyze has admitted that he enjoyed meeting former Idol contestants during his time on the show and says that they passed on some valuable information and advice to him. In his exit interview with reporters after Wednesday night’s finale, Lee said that Adam Lambert was ‘awesome’, Carrie Underwood was ’supportive’ and David Cook was ‘one of the nicest guys’ he has ever met. He said: "Meeting the past winners in the beginning of...

Will Bret Michaels Replace Simon Cowell on American Idol?
Bret announced at his Biloxi concert on Friday that he was asked to possibly be the new judge on American Idol to replace Simon Cowell. Does Michaels have what it takes?

American Idols Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox Signed Record Deals!
Soon after the 'American Idol' show named its crowned , Lee Dewyze and his runner-up, Crystal Bowersox , have signed their record deals. According to Billboard.com, Dewyze is signed to 19 Recordings Limited and RCA Records, while Bowersox is signed to 19 Recordings Limited and Jive Records. Dewyze joins Daughtry and Adam Lambert at RCA, while Bowersox joins Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen, and 2009 finalist Allison Iraheta, as her labelmates. If things go the way they used to, then, Dewyze and...

American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze Attends a Victory Parade at Walt Disney World
Soaking up the perks associated with his recent "American Idol" victory, Lee Dewyze spent the Memorial Day holiday at Walt Disney World on Monday (May 31).

Lee DeWyze Does Disney World -- Crystal Bowersox Too!
Newly crowned American Idol champ Lee Dewyze gets sandwiched in between Minnie and Mickey Mouse at “The American Idol Experience” attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park on Monday (May 31) in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Following his win on the Idol Season Finale last week in Los Angeles, Lee looked into TV cameras and shouted “I’m Going to Disney World!” as part of Disney’s famous TV commercial. Yesterday, Idol Season 9...

American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze Live with Regis and Kelly, "Beautiful Day" (Video)
Fresh off his American Idol win, Lee Dewyze stops by Live with Regis and Kelly for this June 1 interview and sings “Beautiful Day” (video). What do you think of Lee’s version of “Beautiful Day”?

Bret Michaels to Replace Simon Cowell on 'American Idol?'
Bret Michaels to replace Simon Cowell on 'American Idol?' Well this certainly is a surprising headline to start the morning off, eh? Though Poison's frontman Bret Michaels has been in and out of the Hospital all year and should probably take some time off, he's already got another job he's looking to take -- a judge on Fox's hit Reality series on "American Idol." He not only wants to judge on the show, however, he wants to judge in Simon Cowell's chair.

American Idol finalists meet at "If I Can Dream" house; Lee DeWyze could play piano?
After they teamed up for Larry King Live, it was another hang out session for the top 10 finalists of American Idol season-9 when they barged in on “If I Can Dream” house on Friday. One was missing, though- Crystal Bowersox, who called it off for health reasons. The meeting was a mostly former one and the young crooners had an easy time together as they chatted, met the house residents, engaged in Twitter Q&A session and jammed by the piano. Siobhan sang “Whataya Want From...

Idol Finalists on the Go
American Idol  is over and it's go time for winner  Lee Dewyze  & runner-up  Crystal Bowersox .  The two showed up to  Live with Regis & Kelly  where they were greeted by tons of adoring fans.