The two contestants with Chicago ties will face off next week after Texan Casey James was cut Wednesday. Host Ryan Seacrest said 47 million votes were cast after Tuesday's sing-off, when James just couldn't keep up with the Top 2.
"I can't believe it, man. I'm so thankful for the opportunity," James said as audience members yelled out "We love you Casey!"
But pop sensation Justin Bieber drew the biggest applause. "Idol" caught Bieber Fever when the boy wonder sang his hits "Baby" and "U Smile," sending the teen, female crowd into a frenzy.
It was a spark of excitement that "Idol" has lacked this season. The DeWyze-Bowersox showdown won't be that flashy, as the two singers are decidedly lower key.
DeWyze seems to be the judges' favorite going into the final. During Tuesday's show, Kara DioGuardi did nothing less then crown him already.
He sang a great rendition of "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, then sang Cowell's choice, "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. He nailed them both.
"Lee you are what this show is all about," she said. "You are the heart of this show this season, and you just owned the entire night."
Before the finale pairing was announced Wednesday, "Idol" showed footage of the Top 3 visiting their hometowns last week. In clips from his trip, Mt. Prospect resident DeWyze showed the kind of emotion he'd kept close to the vest all season, breaking down in tears during several stops.
"It's amazing," he told Seacrest on stage Wednesday after watching the reel. "This whole thing has just been insane, crazy and awesome."
DeWyze and Bowersox perform live at 7 p.m. Tuesday from the Nokia Theatre L.A. On Wednesday, we'll find out who is the next American idol during the two-hour finale beginning at 7 p.m. Fox is promising special performances and surprise guests, and the Top 12 finalists will perform.
Also Wednesday, Fox announced auditions for Season 10 will take place this summer in Nashville, New Orleans, Jersey City, NJ, and San Francisco.
It was a spark of excitement that "Idol" has lacked this season. The DeWyze-Bowersox showdown won't be that flashy, as the two singers are decidedly lower key.
DeWyze seems to be the judges' favorite going into the final. During Tuesday's show, Kara DioGuardi did nothing less then crown him already.
He sang a great rendition of "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, then sang Cowell's choice, "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. He nailed them both.
"Lee you are what this show is all about," she said. "You are the heart of this show this season, and you just owned the entire night."
Before the finale pairing was announced Wednesday, "Idol" showed footage of the Top 3 visiting their hometowns last week. In clips from his trip, Mt. Prospect resident DeWyze showed the kind of emotion he'd kept close to the vest all season, breaking down in tears during several stops.
"It's amazing," he told Seacrest on stage Wednesday after watching the reel. "This whole thing has just been insane, crazy and awesome."
DeWyze and Bowersox perform live at 7 p.m. Tuesday from the Nokia Theatre L.A. On Wednesday, we'll find out who is the next American idol during the two-hour finale beginning at 7 p.m. Fox is promising special performances and surprise guests, and the Top 12 finalists will perform.
Also Wednesday, Fox announced auditions for Season 10 will take place this summer in Nashville, New Orleans, Jersey City, NJ, and San Francisco.
