American Idol season 9

American Idol
Season 9
Hosted byRyan Seacrest
JudgesSimon Cowell
Ellen DeGeneres
Kara DioGuardi
Randy Jackson
WinnerLee DeWyze
Runner-upCrystal Bowersox
Finals venueNokia Theatre L.A. Live
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseJanuary 12 (2010-01-12) –
May 26, 2010 (2010-05-26)
Season chronology
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Season 8
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Season 10
List of episodes

The ninth season of American Idol premiered on Fox on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, and concluded on Wednesday, May 26, 2010.[1] Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, and Randy Jackson returned as judges and were joined by Ellen DeGeneres, who was brought on as a replacement for Paula Abdul after a series of guest judges filled in during the auditions. Idol Gives Back also returned on April 21, 2010.[2] The top 24 semifinal format used in the fourth through seventh seasons also returned this season.[3] Cowell, DioGuardi, and DeGeneres all left the show after this season, although only Cowell's departure was announced in advance.[4][5][6]

Lee DeWyze, a folk rocker from Mount Prospect, Illinois, won the competition, beating out fellow folk rocker Crystal Bowersox, who was the runner-up. Multiple contestants from this season were signed to record deals, including DeWyze, Bowersox, Casey James, Michael Lynche, and Siobhan Magnus.

  1. ^ Kate Stanhope. "Fox Lines Up Midseason Premieres". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2009.
  2. ^ Mitchell, Wendy (October 6, 2009). "'Idol Gives Back' will return to 'American Idol' on April 21". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  3. ^ Slezak, Michael (December 22, 2009). "'American Idol' season 9: 24 semifinalists, no 'Wild Card' round, and a February 23 voting kickoff". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  4. ^ "Simon Cowell Leaving American Idol". People. January 11, 2010. Archived from the original on April 17, 2011. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  5. ^ Barrett, Annie (September 3, 2010). "Kara DioGuardi not returning to 'American Idol': It's (finally) official". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  6. ^ "Ellen DeGeneres Bows Out of American Idol". People. July 29, 2010. Archived from the original on August 11, 2010. Retrieved February 29, 2020.