Local Ill. crowd cheers 'American Idol' winner

[May 27, 2010]  MOUNT PROSPECT (AP) -- Lee DeWyze's first-place finish on "American Idol" confirmed for some fans in his suburban Chicago hometown what they already knew: The paint store clerk can really sing.

Mike Salapatas of Mount Prospect had predicted DeWyze would win over Crystal Bowersox in the singing competition hours before the TV show aired Wednesday night. He said DeWyze, 24, has a "unique voice" and said he has been following him since DeWyze started performing in local bars and coffee shops.

Thousands of fans gathered in front of a giant television screen in a park in Mount Prospect to cheer on DeWyze. Many wore yellow or teal T-shirts and waved yellow balloons as they chanted, "We believe! We believe!"

Police spokesman Mark Bechtold said fans "set off fireworks when Lee won, and the crowd went nuts for about 10 straight minutes." He estimated about 5,500 people turned out and said no problems were reported.

One of DeWyze's close friends, Brian Friedopfer, avoided the crowd and watched the show at a karaoke bar in nearby Glenview.

"I don't know what I'm feeling. I'm speechless. I love him so much. I don't know what I feel," Friedopfer said.

"Right before they announced his name, I felt it in my heart, but to hear them say he's the next American Idol ... I don't even know what to say. It's incredible."

Some of DeWyze's fans said the groundswell of support he received locally may have helped him win.

"I think it's a good thing that 'Idol' finally got someone from Chicago," Tanja Biebel said. "To go all the way and win. I think the amount of local support he had ... it blew me away."

[Associated Press]

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