IDOL: Elliston ‘loves and supports’ Bowersox
Written by Kristen Criswell | | krapin@toledofreepress.comAt the Trinity United Church of Christ in Elliston, Crystal Bowersox will always be an American Idol.
“She is doing something good, inspiring us that dreams do come true,” said Amber Gahler, coordinator of Bowerstock in Ottawa County. “She’s still an Idol in our eyes. And will still be successful.”
When Lee DeWyze was announced “American Idol,” the church gym was quiet, besides the sound of the TV. However, when Crystal was named the “America Idol” runner up the gym erupted with applause for their hometown girl. Despite the loss, the church dropped balloons and streamers for Crystal.
“We had an inkling to the result. But she’s still a winner. She’s still going to have a great career,” said Alice Bowersox, Crystal’s grandmother.
Keith Bowersox, Crystal’s grandfather said he had read on Dialidol.com that DeWyze would win so it was no shock.
“What I think is the mothers let the little kiddies and the tweenies and the teenie boppers go to bed and they didn’t take their phones. Talent wise the guy is good, but she’s great. Popularity-wise with the females, he won,” Keith said.
In spite of Crystal being named runner-up, Keith said the whole experience has been a “hoot” and her career will blossom.
“I don’t think it matters that she’s the runner-up, really. She’s awesome and always has been,” said Harmony Wagner, Crystal’s first cousin.
“It’s so surreal. I knew she’d go far,” said Heather Wagner, another cousin. “I’m not disappointed at all, she’s going to do great things with her talent.
In addition to family members, more than 400 people were in attendance to cheer on Crystal.
The Big Nut, OSU fan Jon Peters, was asked to come to the finale to help raise money for Diabetes Youth Services (DYS). Peters formerly attended the church.
“There’s so much love for Crystal here. I wanted to help raise money for her services. It’s an amazing small town big story. It’s amazing she made it into the top two,” Peters said. “They’re both winners. There is no loser. They both have huge big careers ahead of them.”
Kim Sivert of Elmore voted for Crystal for more than two hours. She came to the event to see Crystal win, but was still happy for the Northwest Ohio native.
“We loved Crystal from the beginning. For her to win it would be icing on the cake, but she’s already No. 1 in our eyes,” said Tracy Dresser, a volunteer who has been selling Crystal T-shirts each week for DYS.
The church has hosted viewing parties for the local “Idol” since the season began. More than $5,000 has been presented to DYS from T-shirt sales, and the church hopes to present more money in the future.
Tags: American Idol, Crystal Bowersox
good now that shes lost, maybe she will brush her teeth and get a real job!
This comment was posted on May 27th, 2010 at 7:18 amAnd maybe, Johny, you’ll get a real life. :)
This comment was posted on May 27th, 2010 at 9:27 amA very impressive run… no one can deny.
This comment was posted on May 27th, 2010 at 10:19 amAs for puddle deep thinkers out there who criticize Crystal’s looks. Maybe you ought to take a good look at Janis Joplin and Barbara Streisand…two ghastly looking singers who have ( had )immense fortunes reflecting their talent and, not their looks !
Besides, there were more teenie bopper voters out there than music lovers anyway…think David Cassidy,his brother Shaun,Jonas Brothers, etc.,and all the other nancy boys who have made young girls squeal !!
Just let me know when her first album comes out. I can’t wait for it to be released!
This comment was posted on May 27th, 2010 at 11:45 amCrystal was definitely the winner. She will be just like Adam Lambert. That woman can sing. There is no doubt about it. Why is it with a woman it is always about her looks? It is so silly. She is a cute young woman, with her own style. All I heard was Lee is the poster boy for American Idol. What does that mean? This is a talent contest. I think Lee is a nice guy, nice looking, but just an okay singer. The judges pushed him on people, and people fell for it. Crystal is better off not getting stuck in that American Idol contest. This is the last year I will watch it. I decided if the same thing happened this year that happened last, I would not ever watch the show again. The better talent, again, did not win!
This comment was posted on May 27th, 2010 at 12:04 pmIt is about commercial viability and Lee is just better looking than Crystal.
But, SHE has the better talent! No question!
Talons
This comment was posted on May 27th, 2010 at 1:45 pmKay Jaye – you are so right! I dont think I will watch it much like I did before either. Adam was better than Chris last year, and Crystal was better than Lee. The show needs to get back to being about vocal talent, but how do you do that when anyone can vote (teeny-boppers who think Lee is cute) an endless number of times?
As for Johny, are you that unhappy with your life that you can’t be happy for someone else’s success? Why the physical appearance bashing??
This comment was posted on May 27th, 2010 at 2:36 pmQuote from CNN:
(CNN) — The 2010 “American Idol” finale can be summed up in three words that could also be attributed to the entire season: dull, pitchy and off.
From the show’s opening, with a mediocre performance by aged rocker Alice Cooper to a lineup of seemingly random artists, many of whom didn’t at all fit the perceived youthful “Idol” demographic (Michael McDonald? The Bee Gees? Chicago?!?), to the rambling return of Paula Abdul — it was just one misstep after another.
And after all that, for the second consecutive year, the less mainstream contestant failed to capture enough votes to take the title of “American Idol.” Lee DeWyze isn’t terrible, but he’s no Crystal “MamaSox” Bowersox.
More than one CNN.com commenter pointed out that we’ve been here before.
This comment was posted on May 28th, 2010 at 12:03 pmhttp://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/27/american.idol.winner.finale/