Lee DeWyze life and biography

Lee DeWyze is an American singer-songwriter from Mount Prospect, Illinois, and the winner of the ninth season of American Idol. Prior to Idol, DeWyze had a solo career and formed the Lee DeWyze Band. He had also released two independent albums called So I'm Told in 2007 and Slumberland in 2010, both on WuLi Records. His post-Idol album Live It Up was released on November 16, 2010, through 19 Entertainment and RCA Records.

DeWyze was born in Mount Prospect, Illinois, the eldest son of Kathleen (née Donahue) and Leon (Lee) DeWyze, Sr., who worked as a postal carrier in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. He has two older sisters, Shannon and Sarah, and a younger brother, Michael. His musical influences include Cat Stevens, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, and Simon & Garfunkel.

DeWyze attended Saint James Catholic Elementary School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois, up until his senior year, due to too many unserved detention hours. After leaving Prospect High, he attended Forest View Alternative School in Arlington Heights, having been inspired both by his teachers and his interest in music to return to his studies. While he never graduated from either high school, he eventually got his GED.

DeWyze auditioned in Chicago at the United Center for the ninth season of American Idol on June 22, 2009. He auditioned with the song "Ain't No Sunshine". Lee was one of only 13 people from Chicago, the lowest number out of all 7 audition cities, to make it through to Hollywood week. During Hollywood week his group included Aaron Kelly and Crystal Bowersox, all of whom made the Top 24 and subsequently the Top 5.

His closest friends among the competitors are Siobhan Magnus, Andrew Garcia, Alex Lambert and Lacey Brown. He was Garcia's roommate throughout the season until he was eliminated in the Top 9.

DeWyze is one of two finalists on the show and is the only male contestant in Season 9 to never land in the bottom three. The judges have praised Lee for shedding his shy persona throughout the season and showing, with confidence, that he is "in it to win it."

On May 14, 2010, DeWyze performed at the Arlington Park Race Track in Arlington Heights, Illinois with more than 41,000 people attending as part of his American Idol Homecoming day.

On May 26, DeWyze was crowned the winner of American Idol Season 9 defeating season runner-up, Crystal Bowersox. As a result of winning the season, DeWyze also won a recording contract.

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