One thing is for sure: Lee DeWyze really is as nice as he seems. Talking to reporters on Friday, the new American Idol winner could not have been more gracious, thanking each person profusely at the end of each question. It’s clear that the “Everyman” paint-store clerk is still in shock at having won the biggest reality competition on television and can barely fathom everything that’s ahead of him.
Here, the 23-year-old from Illinois talks about why he thinks viewers voted for him, what he hopes for his upcoming album, and how it felt to share the finale with Simon Cowell.
Q: What did you think the viewers saw in you that kept them voting for you?
A: I think that throughout the show —_even in the beginning, when I was a little more reserved — I think I’m a real guy. Whether on camera or off camera, I really stay true to myself. I wanted my experience on the show to be about me performing and my music. I can connect with the audience because I know what it’s like to be on the other side of it. I know what it’s like to be starting out and to have a goal and trying to reach it. So on the show, I was trying to be myself and make it about the music; I put my emotion into every song.
Q: What was it like to meet all of the past American Idol winners during the finale?
A: Meeting some of the past winners in the beginning was almost intimidating, because you see what they’ve accomplished and you just want that. But closer and closer to the end, we got to meet more of the past Idols and they’ve been really amazing. Adam Lambert was amazing; he’s a real genuine guy and I like him. He’s got a good attitude and everything and he’s real. I got to talk to David Cook a little bit and he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve met in my life. That’s a trend through a lot of the Idols: They’re really genuine people. They all know what it’s like to be a part of it.
Q: You’ve mentioned that there was a time in your life when you weren’t doing that well and you ended up in an alternative high school. What was that like?
A: With many people, you go through different stages in your life, and when I was younger, the big thing for me was just finding a sense of direction. I’ve always wanted to be a musician and at a young age, I didn’t really care too much about the things that were happening right there, in that moment. If I could go back, I probably wouldn’t change much, but at the same time, I made decisions when I was younger that you wouldn’t make when you were older and you’ve been through things and had experience. Going to the alternative school was great for me, because I got a totally different outlook on life, and it made me realize that things aren’t always as bad as they seem and there’s always an answer. Whatever you want to do, you just do the best you can. All you can do is try as hard as you can. It made me realize there’s a lot more out there than whatever problems are going on right now.
Q: You and several other contestants have talked about being true to yourselves. Is it frustrating when the show forces you to perform different genres every week that might not be your strong suit?
A: The first thing about being true to yourself is also playing by the rules. The thing about American Idol that scares people and stops people from trying out is that you do have to do things that aren’t necessarily your genre. But my thing with the show was that you’re given a song and you take that song and make it your own. It’s one thing to go up there and play a song as it was written originally — and if that’s what you want to do, then just go by the original song. I just wanted to take every song and make it sound like a song that Lee sang. We were given freedom to arrange the songs how we wanted, and we did. When we did Shania Twain, that was kind of a rough week for me, because it’s so out of my element, but I did what I could with the song. That’s part of the game, though; that’s what American Idol is. You do the songs your way the best you can. It was tough, sometimes; I’m not going to lie.
Q: What was it like to share the finale with Simon Cowell’s farewell?
A: He definitely shared the spotlight and that’s OK. He’s a huge part of why the show’s been a success, and it’s his last season; of course, they’re definitely going to have to make mention of that. For them to say goodbye to them the way they did, it was really cool. I got the chance to talk to him and he was really happy for me. He told me, “I’m proud of you; I saw something in you and I’m glad you won.” He’s a really nice dude; I don’t feel like he stole the spotlight. It was two big things going on in one night.
Q: What will your album be like?
A: First, I want the album I make to be something I’m happy with. I’d like to have a folk-rock, alternative, true vibe to it. I want it to be very earthy but at the same time, reach out to a lot of different people. I’ve expressed that to the people in charge and they’re all for it. They’re ready to work with me and it’s a really good relationship.
Q: Will you be moving to Los Angeles to start your new career?
A: Well, first, I’m going to be doing the (American Idol) tour and I’ll be recording at the same time. It’s going to be intense; it’ll be fun. I’d like to stay in Chicago, but also have a place (in L.A.), as well. I’d like to be able to go back to where all my family and friends are, but a lot of things I’m doing are out here. So for now, I’ll be hanging out here for a while. But everyone (in Chicago) — the fan support is just incredible, so I definitely want to remain close to home as best I can.