Victory means little sleep for 'Idol' champ Lee DeWyze
Lee DeWyze didn't make friends with his bed on Wednesday night.
He stayed up most of the night hanging with Hollywood stars and his "American Idol" brethren while giving out hugs and thank-yous.
"It was almost the minute I fell asleep I had to wake back up," DeWyze said in an interview this morning on Fox-32 Chicago.
Mount Prospect's favorite son said winning "Idol" Wednesday night hasn't sunk in and he's touched by the fan support from the cheering hometown crowd.
"It was amazing, I got to take a little peek at that," DeWyze said of Wednesday night's viewing party on the Mount Prospect Village Green. "It was awesome especially since the voting was already done and they all still came out and it was just them being supportive and I appreciate it so much."
DeWyze will make the typical "Idol" media blitz the remainder of the week. Friday morning he'll perform on NBC's "Today." Later he'll be reunited with "Idol" judge Ellen DeGeneres and the show's other finalist, Crystal Bowersox on "Ellen."
He wished the best to Bowersox.
"I respect her a lot as a person and as a musician," DeWyze said.
Later on Friday night, he'll pull up a chair with other "Idol" stars on CNN's "Larry King Live."
DeWyze is scheduled to be part of the American Idols Live Tour, kicking off July 1. The tour stops Aug. 30 at the United Center in Chicago. While touring he'll work on his album, targeting an October release. He said Thursday morning that he wants to take his time and make sure he records the album right.
His popularity already has seen a spike, with the first single from the album, a cover of U2's "Beautiful Day," surging to No. 8 on the iTunes singles charts. His version of "Hallelujah" ranks No. 18.
While he'll spend much of his time on the West Coast, he said he's eager to come home.
"I'll be back in Chicago sooner than later and I can't wait to be there, it's going to be amazing," DeWyze said.
For the full interview with Fox-32 Chicago, visit www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/lee-dewyze-wins-american-idol-20100525.
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<h1>More Coverage</h1>
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<h2>Stories</h2>
<ul class="links">
<li><a href="/story/?id=383999">Mount Prospect had to cut audio for DeWyze song, officials say <span class="date">[05/27/2010]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=383810">Was there any doubt? Mt. Prospect wild over hometown 'Idol' DeWyze <span class="date">[05/27/2010]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=383909">How Lee DeWyze won 'Idol' <span class="date">[05/27/2010]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=383762">Mt. Prospect 'Idol' party on, despite the weather <span class="date">[05/26/2010]</span></a></li>
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<h2>Photo Galleries</h2>
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<li><a href="/story/?id=383876">Images of Lee DeWyze's 'American Idol' title night</a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380767">Images from Lee DeWyze Day</a></li>
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<h2>Daily Herald DeWyze archive</h2>
<ul class="links">
<li><a href="/story/?id=383619">'Idol' wager: Tony Packo's hot dogs vs. Mt. Prospect goodies <span class="date">[05/26/2010]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=381054">When Lee DeWyze was 'Hoodie Guy' at Potato Creek Johnny's <span class="date">[05/16/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380716">Returning to the suburbs today, it's Lee! <span class="date">[05/14/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380625">Where will Lee be six months from now? Success not guaranteed <span class="date">[05/14/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380561">Lee DeWyze: From Mount Prospect to Hollywood and home again <span class="date">[05/13/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380562">Where to buy Lee DeWyze merchandise <span class="date">[05/13/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380563">Want the DeWyze catalog? $53 on iTunes <span class="date">[05/13/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=378339">Between paint sales, Mt. Prospect store is Lee DeWyze central <span class="date">[05/05/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=372793">DeWyze almost ditched 'American Idol' audition <span class="date">[04/13/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=371153">Mount Prospect native's 'Idol' contract means death of band <span class="date">[04/06/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=369631">Lee tees are all the rage at Prospect High School <span class="date">[03/30/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=368014">Local 'Idol' finalist DeWyze got his start pushing porridge <span class="date">[03/23/10]</span></a></li>
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