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It’s that time of year again, when America takes a collective gasp, crosses its fingers and waits impatiently for the crowning of the next American Idol. On May 26 only one of the three final contestants, Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze and Casey James, will be left standing and the competition has never looked so fierce.
If there were any justice in America, Bowersox would have won weeks ago and the rest of the show’s episodes could just be hour-long eclectic concerts of her music. Like the gem for which she was named, Bowersox is a multifaceted performer with unwaveringly perfect pitch, sensitivity to tone and an endlessly awe-inspiring voice. Proven as of late, Bowersox can sing any song and still have the best technical performance.
Bowersox’s offbeat image, however, may hold her back. Many of her song choices in the past have been inaccessible to general audiences, causing her dreadlocked sparkle to be hidden in obscurity.
Should Bowersox lose her shine and not be declared the next American Idol, expect Casey James to have the laurels of victory placed upon his golden locks, as prepubescent young girls and bored housewives with penchants for fantasies of a blue-eyed Adonis will have exercised their abilities to tie up phone lines and shoot Bowersox to the top.
With a grin that melts butter, Bowersox might have the hearts and votes of the American public on lockdown. Has America forgotten about his shirtless striptease and poor vocal performance back in the audition phase of the show? Time will tell.
Because America is what it is, a place both of great justice–yay for civil liberties!–and injustice–hello, fascists ruling Arizona!–our best bet for the next American Idol lies in Lee DeWyze. DeWyze has the ability to always entertain and his voice and style are as unique as they are unforgettable.
His musical style is deeply rooted in his talent for playing the guitar and the rich tone to his voice, allowing him to aptly make any song–stretching from the catalogues Simon and Garfunkel to Shania Twain–his own. Moreover, bar Adam Lambert, DeWyze is one of the most refreshing voices to be heard on Idol during its long reign at the forefront of American pop-culture.
As Randy Jackson said of him during judging, DeWyze is “a great artist…who is going to have a big career.” He leaves us wanting more–at least we won’t have to wait long. Once Idol ends, we will be able to enjoy his voice for years to come on his first album produced as the winner of American Idol.
