Lee DeWyze at Jones Beach, NY (photo: Kristin Tully)
Season 9′s American Idol gets emotional backstage in NY (watch this entire interview on our youtube channel)
Going back to the moment when you heard Ryan Seacrest announce that you are the American Idol. Tell me what went through your mind and how you felt.
Lee: It felt good. That’s why I auditioned, you know? To get to that point. That’s the way it went and I’m glad that it did. Now I get to do the things I want.
Did You have one of the subliminal blankouts that all the Idols say they had?
Lee: Uh, Yeah. You don’t realize the magnitude at that moment. It kind of just hits you. Like WOW. It was intense. It was cool. It was fun.
How’s the progress of the album so far?
Lee: I can’t say who we’ve been working with but we’re pretty far. We are doing good. We’re writing songs; working stuff out. The whole process is obviously something that is going to take some time but I’m doing a lot of the writing and I’m working with some great, amazing people. I’m gonna put out an album that I’m happy with.
What kind of direction are we looking at? Will it be the style we saw on Idol?
Lee: No. More like Folk, Rock, Pop. You know?
You never had a problem showing your emotions on TV. I’m sure looking back it was like ‘wow. I really showed it a lot.’ Do you think always showing how you felt and your awesome musicianship made America fall in love with you?
Lee: I think that my thing has always been that whether I’m onstage or on Idol, that I’ve always put 100% of my emotion in every song. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing or what the song is, I put everything into it. For me, everyone saw that it wasn’t fake; it was genuine. I try to be an honest and genuine person. It’s easier for me to connect with people in the audience when you’re being you.
The one thing that confused me, as well as many of the viewers, why did you choose U2’s “Beautiful Day” as your coronation song rather than say an original song? Ie: “A Moment Like This” from Kelly Clarkson or “Inside Your Heaven” from Carrie Underwood.
Lee: We didn’t choose that.
Really?
Lee: The reason we did a cover song…only they know why. So it wasn’t an option like ‘do you want a song written for you’. So for the songs that were in front of me, I chose “Beautiful Day.”
You have probably waited your entire life to go out on tour and play throughout the US. Now that you’re getting your chance, what are you looking forward to the most on the road?
Lee: Playing for the big crowds is enough. And making the album because I’ll be making the album on tour. So this is why I do this. What more can you ask for?
Now technically this is your first major tour and your headlining. Isn’t that a weird feeling?
Lee: It’s a really weird feeling, especially when you put it that way. Yeah, it’s a weird feeling. When it’s my turn to get up there, it’s on for me. Just good ol’ times.
Now, here is the big question for you. How has your life changed since the end of Idol?
Lee: Everything. Absolutely everything in my life has changed. I’m the same person that I always will be but its like…I’m getting opportunities I’ve never gotten before. I’m performing in front of thousands. It’s like [chokes up]…[under his breath] it’s just a trip [wipes his tearing eyes]…it’s crazy and the wackiest part about the whole thing is that it has gone so fast. You know? One minute you’re doing this and the next your doing something else. Wow! Like whoa…slow down a minute. But I love it; I’m loving every minute of it.