DeWyze lives to rock another week on American Idol

Lee DeWyze made the cut on American Idol Wednesday and breezed through to next week's round.

All four judges praised DeWyze's rendition of "Treat Her Like a Lady" Tuesday. After watching his performance, the Mount Prospect native thought he did a pretty good job himself.

"In that performance above all the ones that I have had so far, I felt it," DeWyze told host Ryan Seacrest. " I felt like I was not worrying about the stage or the judges. I was just feeding off the fans and the people watching."

Didi Benami, 23, was voted off the show after she was unable to earn a judges save. Katie Stevens and Tim Urban rounded out the bottom three and were also in danger of being sent home.

For the first time this week DeWyze sang like someone who could win season nine of American Idol - while possibly battling walking pneumonia as Seacrest seemed to suggest Tuesday. DeWyze neither confirmed nor denied Seacrest's claim and waved off the idea. After his performance, Simon told DeWyze "this may be the night your life changed forever."

Usher told him in his mentoring session, "If you don't believe it, [your audience] won't."

DeWyze said he finally believes it.

"I realize that every time you perform, it could be your last," said DeWyze, who will celebrate his 24th birthday Friday.

DeWyze and the eight other finalists will perform again on Tuesday, April 6, and one will be voted off the show the following night.