Everything in Crystal Bowersox's life seems to be changing at a blurring pace. Here's the story I just aent to papers. I'll be back in an hour with a separate one on Lee DeWyze:
By MIKE HUGHES
Crystal Bowersox could have continued
her previous life almost forever.
She was a singer-songwriter, working
five years in Chicago's clubs and subway stops.
“For years, people (said) 'You should
try out for “(American) Idol”,” she recalled today. She
resisted. “I didn't think I was that kind of performer.”
Then – after retreating to small-town
Ohio with her son (now 16 months) _ she decided to try. The result
has changed her life in every way; she:
– Was named runner-up Wednesday to
Lee DeWyze. “I love Lee,” said Bowersox, 24. “Lee is great;
he's supertalented and I would buy his record in a heartbeat.”
– Promptly signed a record deal with
the show's producers. In addition, her final song on the show – Patty Griffin's rousing “Up to the Mountain” – was released to
radio stations.
– Broke up with her boyfriend.
Earlier, she had told the audience she was sure he would propose;
instead, she said, they agreed before Wednesday's show to break up.
“Tony's been my rock through all of this. (But) he's a small-town
guy and wants a simple, quiet life.”
– Provided a small boost for
singer-songwriters. While showing her homecoming trip, “Idol”
included her singing “Holy Toledo” – a song she wrote when she
was 17. It was, she was told, the first time anyone on the show had
been shown singing an original.
– Accidentally became a symbol for
diabetes survivors. “I tried to keep it a secret,” she said.
That's common for many young people,
she said – especially for ones who couldn't afford health care. “I
never had a lot of money …. There have been times in my life when I
had to beg for insulin.”
When she did tell the “Idol”
people, she said, everything changed. “A team of people swarmed in
to help me. I never felt more loved.”
She was hospitalized twice, but got to
the finals. At that point, she said, she was convinced DeWyze would
win. Then came host Ryan Seacrest's long pause.
“I had mouthed the words 'Come on,
Ryan' several times. I saw Lee's face and he was ready to pass out.”