Crystal Bowersox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Crystal Bowersox
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![]() Bowersox in 2010
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Background information | |
Birth name | Crystal Lynn Bowersox |
Born | Elliston, Ohio, U.S. |
August 4, 1985
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Instruments | |
Years active | 2010–present |
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Crystal Lynn Bowersox, born on August 4, 1985, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She became well-known as the runner-up on the ninth season of the popular TV show American Idol. She was the first female contestant to reach the finale in three years, showing off her amazing talent.
Crystal's first album, called Farmer's Daughter, came out on December 14, 2010. Later, she released her second album, All That for This, on March 26, 2013.
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Crystal Bowersox's Early Life and Music Beginnings
Crystal Bowersox and her twin brother, Karl, were born in Elliston, Ohio. When she was six years old, Crystal was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She went to Oak Harbor High School and later the Toledo School for the Arts. She loved music, singing in the choir and playing the flute in the marching band.
Crystal started performing professionally at just 10 years old. She played at local places in Toledo, Ohio, like Papa's Tavern. When she was seventeen, she moved to Chicago. There, she played music as a busker (a street performer) at train stations. She also performed at open mic nights, sharing her music with others.
In 2006, the city of Chicago chose Crystal to represent its folk musicians in a special program called "Experience Chicago." In 2007, she even traveled to different countries, like Turkey and Mexico, to play her music in small cafes.
Crystal Bowersox on American Idol
Crystal Bowersox auditioned for American Idol in Chicago. She sang the song "Piece of My Heart" and impressed the judges. Guest judge Shania Twain said Crystal had a "raw, natural talent."
During the show, Crystal became unwell because of her type 1 diabetes. This caused a change in the show's schedule to give her time to recover. She performed the next day and continued to impress everyone. Simon Cowell, one of the judges, even said, "Right now, you are the one everyone has to beat."
Crystal was the last female contestant left in the competition. She made it all the way to the finale, becoming the first female finalist since 2007. She also made history on American Idol by having one of her own original songs, "Holy Toledo," played during her hometown visit.
In the final performance, Simon Cowell praised her song "Up to the Mountain," calling it "outstanding" and "by far, the best performance and song of the night." On May 26, 2010, Crystal Bowersox was named the runner-up, with Lee DeWyze winning the season. After Idol, Crystal shared that she wanted to help raise awareness about Type 1 Diabetes.
Crystal is one of only a few American Idol runner-ups who were never in the bottom group of contestants during the voting.
Crystal Bowersox's American Idol Performances
Episode | Theme | Song choice | Original recording artist | Order # | Result |
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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 Me 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 Number 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 "Falling Slowly" — Once with Lee DeWyze | Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová | 3 | Safe |
Solo "I'm Alright" — Caddyshack | Kenny Loggins | 5 | |||
Top 3 | Contestant's Choice | "Come to My Window" | Melissa Etheridge | 2 | Safe |
Judges' Choice | "Maybe I'm Amazed" | Paul McCartney | 5 | ||
Top 2 | Contestant's Choice | "Me and Bobby McGee" | Roger Miller | 2 | Runner-up |
Simon Fuller's Choice | "Black Velvet" | Alannah Myles | 4 | ||
First Single | "Up to the Mountain" | Solomon Burke | 6 |
- The judges used their 'save' for Michael Lynche, so the Top 9 stayed the same for an extra week.
- Even though Crystal Bowersox was the last person announced as 'safe' for the Top 3, the host said the announcements were in "no particular order."
- This song was chosen by Ellen DeGeneres.
Crystal Bowersox's Career After American Idol
Right after American Idol, Crystal Bowersox signed a music deal. Her song "Up to the Mountain" was released to radio stations and online.
First Album: Farmer's Daughter (2010–2012)
Crystal's first album, Farmer's Daughter, came out on December 14, 2010. She performed her song "Farmer's Daughter" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
In 2011, her record label, Jive Records, closed down. This meant Crystal needed to find a new label for her future music. She also made her acting debut on an episode of the TV show Body of Proof. In 2012, she released an EP (a shorter album) of songs she recorded before Idol, called Once Upon a Time.... She also sang with the band Blues Traveler on their album Suzie Cracks the Whip.
Second Album: All That for This (2012–Present)
In October 2012, Crystal signed a new record deal with Shanachie Records. Her second studio album, All That for This, was released on March 26, 2013. This album was produced by Steve Berlin from the band Los Lobos and featured Jakob Dylan.
Crystal performed the first song from the album, "Dead Weight," on On Air with Ryan Seacrest. She told Ryan that the song was very meaningful to her. She started a tour to support the album in March 2013. Crystal also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to promote her album. It was announced that she would play the famous singer Patsy Cline in a Broadway show called Always, Patsy Cline.
Crystal Bowersox's Discography
Crystal Bowersox has released several albums and singles.
Studio Albums
Year | Album details | Peak | Certifications | |||
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US | US Rock |
US Digital |
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2010 | Farmer's Daughter
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28 | 2 | 8 | 90 |
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2013 | All That for This
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71 | 21 | — | — |
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2017 | Alive
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2022 | HitchHiker
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Digital Albums
Year | Album | Peak | Sales | |
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US Heat |
US Indie |
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2010 | Season 9 Favorite Performances
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6 | 38 |
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"—" means the album did not appear on the chart. |
Extended Plays (EPs)
Year | Title | EP details |
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2012 | Once Upon a Time... |
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2014 | Promises |
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Singles
Year | Single | Peak | Album | |
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US | CAN | |||
2010 | "Up to the Mountain" | 57 | 47 | Non-album single |
"Farmer's Daughter" | — | 73 | Farmer's Daughter | |
2013 | "Movin' On" | — | — | All That for This |
"Dead Weight" | — | — | ||
"Coming Out for Christmas" | — | — | Non-album single | |
"—" means the single did not appear on the chart. |
Digital Singles
Year | Single | Peak | Album | |
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US | CAN | |||
2010 | "Falling Slowly" (with Lee DeWyze) | 66 | 70 | non-album single |
"—" means the single did not appear on the chart. |
Music Videos
Year | Song | Director(s) |
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2010 | "Farmer's Daughter" | Meiert Avis |
2013 | "Dead Weight" | Tiger Tiger |
2017 | "Until Then" | Steven Rosenfeld |
2021 | "The Storm" | Crystal Bowersox |
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
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2011 | Body of Proof | Zoe Brant | Episode: "Second Chances" |
Awards and Nominations
Year | Presenter | Award | Result |
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2010 | Teen Choice Awards | Female Reality/Variety Star | Nominated |
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Crystal Bowersox para niños