Crystal Lynn Bowersox (born August 4, 1985) was a contestant in Season 9 of American Idol.
Audition[]
Crystal auditioned in Chicago. She sang "Piece of My Heart" by Erma Franklin. It is unknown how the judges voted, but at least three of them voted "yes", sending her to the next round.
Hollywood Round[]
Crystal was shown in the same Group of Eight as Didi Benami. She sang "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin. She did enough to advance along with Didi. She was later shown in a group with Lee DeWyze. For her final solo performance, she sang "If It Makes You Happy" by Sheryl Crow. After the judges' verdict, she was placed in the same holding room as Casey James, Tim Urban, Tyler Grady, Andrew Garcia, Todrick Hall, Katie Stevens, Jermaine Sellers, Siobhan Magnus, Alex Lambert, Michael Lynche, Thaddeus Johnson, Tori Kelly, Lilly Scott, and Jeff Goldford. Everyone in this room advanced. At the final deliberation, it was revealed that she did enough to make the Top 24.
Top 24[]
Crystal sang "Hand in My Pocket" by Alanis Morissette. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 20[]
Crystal sang "Long as I Can See the Light" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 16[]
Crystal sang "Give Me One Reason" by Tracy Chapman. She received enough votes to become a Top 12 finalist.
Top 12[]
Crystal sang "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones.
Performances[]
| Week # | Theme | Song Choice | Original Recording Artist | Order # | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | Auditioner's Choice | "Piece of My Heart" | Erma Franklin | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood Week | First Solo | "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" | Aretha Franklin | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood Week | Group Round | "Get Ready" | The Temptations | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood Week | Second Solo | "If It Makes You Happy" | Sheryl Crow | N/A | Advanced |
| Top 24 (12 Women) | Billboard Hot 100 Hits | "Hand in My Pocket" | Alanis Morissette | 11 | Safe |
| Top 20 (10 Women) | "Long as I Can See the Light" | Creedence Clearwater Revival | 1 | Safe | |
| Top 16 (8 Women) | "Give Me One Reason" | Tracy Chapman | 7 | Safe | |
| Top 12 | The Rolling Stones | "You Can't Always Get What You Want" | The Rolling Stones | 12 | Safe |
| Top 11 | Billboard #1 Hits | "Me and Bobby McGee" | Roger Miller | 5 | Safe |
| Top 10 | R&B/Soul | "Midnight Train to Georgia" | Cissy Houston | 9 | Safe |
| Top 9 | Lennon/McCartney | "Come Together" | The Beatles | 5 | Safe |
| Top 9 | Elvis Presley | "Saved" | LaVern Baker | 1 | Safe |
| Top 7 | Inspirational | "People Get Ready" | The Impressions | 7 | Safe |
| Top 6 | Shania Twain | "No One Needs to Know" | Shania Twain | 4 | Safe |
| Top 5 | Frank Sinatra | "Summer Wind" | Wayne Newton | 3 | Safe |
| Top 4 | Songs of the Cinema Duet Solo |
"Falling Slowly" — Once with Lee DeWyze "I'm Alright" — Caddyshack |
Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová Kenny Loggins |
3 5 |
Safe |
| Top 3 | Contestant's Choice Judges' Choice |
"Come to My Window" "Maybe I'm Amazed" |
Melissa Etheridge Paul McCartney |
2 5 |
Safe |
| Top 2 | Contestant's Choice Simon Fuller's Choice First Single |
"Me and Bobby McGee" "Black Velvet" "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" |
Roger Miller Alannah Myles Solomon Burke |
2 4 6 |
Runner-up |
External Links[]
| Season 9 |
| Finalists |
| Lee DeWyze · Crystal Bowersox · Casey James · Michael Lynche · Aaron Kelly · Siobhan Magnus · Tim Urban · Katie Stevens · Andrew Garcia · Didi Benami · Paige Miles · Lacey Brown |
| Semifinalists |
| Lilly Scott · Alex Lambert · Todrick Hall · Katelyn Epperly · Haeley Vaughn · Michelle Delamor · Jermaine Sellers · John Park · Tyler Grady · Ashley Rodriguez · Joe Munoz · Janell Wheeler |