Crystal Bowersox facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Crystal Bowersox
Bowersox in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Crystal Lynn Bowersox
Born	(1985-08-04) August 4, 1985 (age 40) Elliston, Ohio, U.S.
Genres	Rock indie folk acoustic blues gospel soul blues rock country
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter actress
Instruments	Vocals guitar harmonica
Years active	2010–present
Labels	Jive 19 (2010–2011) Shanachie (2012–2013) Mamasox (2013–present)

Crystal Lynn Bowersox (born August 4, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She became well-known as the runner-up on the ninth season of the TV show American Idol. She was the first female contestant to reach the finale in three years.

Crystal Bowersox released her first album, Farmer's Daughter, on December 14, 2010. Her second album, All That for This, came out on March 26, 2013.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Crystal Bowersox was born in Elliston, Ohio, on August 4, 1985. She has a twin brother named Karl. 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. In school, she sang in the choir and played the flute in the marching band. Crystal started performing professionally at local places in Toledo when she was just 10 years old.

At age seventeen, Crystal moved to Chicago. There, she played music in public places like train stations. She also performed at open mic nights and in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.

In 2006, Crystal was chosen to represent Chicago folk musicians in a special program called "Experience Chicago" in Birmingham. In 2007, she traveled to different countries, performing in small cafes in places like Memphis, Oaxaca City, Ankara, and Istanbul. In 2009, Crystal became a mother to her son, Anthony Levi Mason.

Journey on American Idol

Crystal Bowersox auditioned for American Idol in Chicago, Illinois. She sang the song "Piece of My Heart". Guest judge Shania Twain praised her, saying she had a "raw, natural talent."

During the competition, on March 2, 2010, Crystal had to go to the hospital because of her type 1 diabetes. This caused a change in the show's schedule to give her time to recover. She confirmed her illness during an interview on the show on May 19, 2010. Despite this, she performed the next day and impressed all the judges.

After a strong performance the following week, judge Simon Cowell told her, "Right now, you are the one everyone has to beat." Crystal became the last female contestant left in the competition after Siobhan Magnus was eliminated.

Crystal was the first female contestant to reach the American Idol finale since Jordin Sparks won in 2007. She also made history as the first contestant to have one of her own original songs played on the show. Her song "Holy Toledo" was used as background music for her hometown visit package.

On the final performance night, Simon Cowell called her singing of "Up to the Mountain" "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, she shared her goal to help raise more awareness about type 1 diabetes.

Crystal is one of only a few Idol runner-ups who were never in the Bottom 3 or Bottom 2 during the competition.

American Idol Performances

• The Top 9 stayed the same for another week because the judges used their one 'save' for Michael Lynche.
• Even though Crystal Bowersox was the last contestant announced as 'safe' for the Top 3, the host said that 'safe' contestants would be announced "in no particular order." So, it's not known who was the second-lowest vote-getter that night after Michael Lynche was eliminated.
• Song chosen by Ellen DeGeneres.

Music Career After Idol

On May 27, 2010, the day after she finished second on Idol, it was announced that Crystal Bowersox had signed with 19 Entertainment/Jive Records. Her song "Up to the Mountain" was then released to radio stations and iTunes.

2010–2012: Farmer's Daughter Album

Crystal's first album, Farmer's Daughter, was released on December 14, 2010. She performed her song "Farmer's Daughter" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on December 16, 2010.

In October 2011, RCA Music Group closed Jive Records, along with other labels. This left Crystal without a record label for a time. She made her acting debut in an episode of the TV show Body of Proof. In June 2012, she self-released an EP (Extended Play) 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 and performed with them live.

2012–Present: All That for This and Beyond

In October 2012, Crystal Bowersox signed a new recording deal with Shanachie Records. Her second studio album, All That for This, was released on March 26, 2013. The album was produced by Steve Berlin and featured Jakob Dylan. Crystal debuted the first song from the album, "Dead Weight," on a radio show on February 5, 2013. She said the song was very meaningful to her.

Crystal started a tour to support her new album on March 1, 2013. She also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to perform her song "Movin' On." It was announced that she would play the role of Patsy Cline in a Broadway show called Always, Patsy Cline.

Personal Life

Crystal Bowersox married musician Brian Walker on October 10, 2010. They met six years earlier at an open mic night in Chicago. They later separated in May 2013.

Music Releases

Studio Albums

Digital Albums

Extended Plays (EPs)

Singles

Digital Singles

Music Videos

Film and TV Appearances

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Crystal Bowersox para niños