advertisement

Suburban American Idol finalists: Where are they now?

A Naperville dental assistant, a Wheeling Aquatic Center lifeguard, a dog walker from St. Charles - all of these regular suburban people became finalists on "American Idol," the FOX singing competition show that, during its prime, was one of the most popular shows on TV.

The suburbs even had a champion - Mount Prospect paint salesman Lee DeWyze - who won the title in 2010.

As Idol prepares for its two-night series finale Wednesday and Thursday, we caught up with some of the local singers who cracked the Top 20 during the show's 14-year run.

While dozens of suburban residents got the coveted "ticket to Hollywood" over the years, only a handful made it to the finals, performing to a TV audience as big as 40 million people during the show's peak.

Here's what they're up to, post-Idol:

<h3 class="leadin">Lee DeWyze, of Mt. Prospect

Before Idol: He was a clerk at Mt. Prospect Paint and played in small suburban bars on nights and weekends.

The paint store still houses a display case full of DeWyze memorabilia, including photos, an autographed guitar and the neon-colored "Vote4Lee" T-shirts his suburban fans wore.

How far did he get: Won Season 9 (2010)

Judges that year: Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson

Besides his singing, fans liked: His regular guy, low-key personality, and his disheveled look.

Memorable performance: A soulful cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "The Boxer," and "Falling Slowly," a beautiful ballad sung as a duet with runner-up Crystal Bowersox.

What he's doing now: Married and living in Los Angeles, DeWyze is touring, writing music, and recording out of his own studio.

His "Blackbird Song" was used in "The Walking Dead" TV series, and he performed during halftime at the 2011 NFC Championship game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. He played his 2010 Top 40 Adult Contemporary chart hit, "Sweet Serendipity."

In February, he released his latest album, "Oil & Water."

<h3 class="leadin">Haley Reinhart, of Wheeling

Wheeling native Haley Reinhart performs in front of the judges on "American Idol" in 2011. Michael Becker/FOX

Before Idol: She was a lifeguard at the Wheeling Aquatic Center, a singer in Harper College's jazz ensemble, and performed with her family's band.

How far did she get: Third place, Season 10 (2011)

Winner that year: Scott McCreery

Judges that year: Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler

Besides her singing, fans liked: Her long blond curly locks and her musical family.

Memorable performance: A growly cover of Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets"

What she's doing now: Now living in L.A., she's touring to promote her new album, "Better" (including a June 14 show at Lincoln Hall in Chicago), and performing with the group Postmodern Jukebox. She's performed at Lollapalooza and the New Orleans Jazz Fest, and collaborated with stars ranging from Tony Bennett to Slash.

Her cover of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love With You" (which has 5.8 million YouTube views) was a TV ad for Extra gum, and other songs of hers were used in James Cameron's HBO series "Years of Living Dangerously," in a Chase Bank commercial, and in the film "Step Up Revolution."

She returned to "Idol" Feb. 18 to serve as a mentor to current contestants. Her fans are known as "Haliens."

Looking back on her Idol experience: She thinks fondly of her Idol "family" of stage crew, producers and contestants and said she was happy and honored to be part of the show.

She's still in touch with Casey Abrams and Paul McDonald and just bumped into Lee DeWyze in a restaurant the other day. "(The show) has been such an essential part of all our lives," she said. "It's very bittersweet that it's ending."

<h3 class="leadin">Gina Glocksen, of Naperville

"American Idol" finalist and Naperville native Gina Glocksen now sings in the Gina Glocksen Band around Chicago. File Photo

Before Idol: She worked in dental offices in Worth and Naperville and played in the band Catfight.

How far did she get: 9th place, Season 6 (2007)

Winner that year: Jordin Sparks

Judges that year: Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell

Besides her singing, fans liked: Her edgy, "rocker chick" style

Memorable performance: A cover of Chrissie Hynde's "I'll Stand By You"

What she's doing now: Glocksen and her husband, Neuqua Valley High School science teacher Joe Ruzicka, live in Oswego and are parents to a baby girl (born in 2014). They both play in the Gina Glocksen Band, mostly at Chicago-area clubs and wedding receptions.

For the past 6½ years, she's also toured with Ballroom with a Twist, a group of "American Idol," "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance" finalists. She remains good friends with her season's winner, Jordin Sparks, who was a bridesmaid in her wedding, and also with fellow contestant Leslie Hunt.

Looking back on her Idol experience: "It was crazy. 'Wild' is a good way to say it. It was every emotion put into one. It was awful, it was amazing, and it was gut-wrenching ... but it was the experience of a lifetime."

<h3 class="leadin">Leslie Hunt, of St. Charles

Leslie Hunt

Before Idol: She wrote songs while working as a dog walker and trainer in St. Charles and played with different bands.

How far did she get: 17th in Season 6 (2007)

Winner that year: Jordin Sparks

Judges that year: Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell

Memorable performance: A cover of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"

Besides her singing, fans liked: "I don't know, maybe I was kinda quirky," she said.

What she's doing now: A married mom of two living in St. Charles, Hunt is still writing songs and sings with the progressive rock band District 97, which has opened for Kansas and Emerson, Lake and Palmer and just finished a European tour.

She's also the band leader and singer in five bands with the wedding band company Arlen Music. She's still friends with fellow contestant Gina Glocksen.

Looking back: "It was a great experience. I'm glad that I did it. But if I could do it again, maybe I would have watched a season beforehand," she said.

"I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, because it kick-started things for me and gave me confidence in myself."

<h3 class="leadin">Jim Verraros, of Crystal Lake

Before Idol: He was a student at Columbia College in Chicago.

How far did he get: 9th-10th place (he was eliminated at the same time as one other singer), Season 1 (2002)

Winner that year: Kelly Clarkson

Judges that year: Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell

Besides his singing, fans liked: That he spoke fluent sign language (both of his parents are deaf) and was the first openly gay performer on "American Idol."

Memorable performance: His Idol audition, when he sang Nat King Cole's "When I Fall in Love" while signing.

What he's doing now: Verraros is executive vice president at Luxury Bridal Expo Chicago + Milwaukee, doing couture bridal fashion shows.

Cowell to DeWyze: 'You may be the one to beat'

Between paint sales, Mt. Prospect store is Lee DeWyze central

Mt. Prospect fans loud and proud for Lee

Lee DeWyze: From Mount Prospect to Hollywood and home again

Scenes from Idol finalist DeWyze's 'awesome' day

Images from Lee DeWyze Day

'It's so hard to say goodbye' DeWyze tells Arlington Park crowd

Here we go again? Wheeling teen dazzles 'Idol'

Reinhart continues 'Idol' journey in Wheeling

'Idol' fans line up in burbs to see Haley Reinhart

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.