Lee DeWyze “American Idol” Winner 2010 — Dark Horse Beats Bowersox In “Idol” Finale

We have a new American Idol….and it isn’t early frontrunner Crystal Bowersox.

Proving Simon Cowell’s final Idol prediction spot-on, dark horse Lee DeWyze was crowned American Idol on Wednesday, beating dreadlocked soul singer Crystal Bowersox in one of the most stunning upsets in the show’s nine season history.

Host Ryan Seacrest said on Wednesday’s finale that DeWyze of Mount Prospect, Ill., edged Bowersox, of Toledo, Ohio, in viewer votes cast after Tuesday’s performance show.

“I have never been happier in my life,” a choked-up DeWyze said before a packed house at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

The 24-year-old guitarist won the coveted title and a recording contract after millions of Americans cast their votes for the bluesy guitarist despite what Idol judges had deemed a better showing by Bowersox in Tuesday’s performance finale.

In a HCD poll of more than 3,000 A.I. viewers, Bowersox was the favorite to win tonight’s finale; receiving 66.2 percent of the votes, while Dewyze received just 33.8.3 percent.

DeWyze worked in a Chicago paint shop before auditioning for the FOX TV singing contest a year ago. Lee;s first single will be a cover of U2’s hit track, “Beautiful Day.”

Wednesday’s finale also marked the departure of judge Simon Cowell, a parody song by Dane Clark, and the return of ex-judge Paula Abdul.