The winner and runner-up may already be in love.
But there was another matter happening behind the scenes that nobody ever saw, or new about – until now.
Last year’s Idol winner Lee DeWyze and creator Nigel Lythgoe were embraced in a bitter feud.
What started the war?
It seems that moments after the finale taping was over, creator and Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe took to twitter saying,
"I was so upset Lee DeWyze wouldn't present the winner’s trophy to Scotty. Especially as he'd been on the show this season. I guess he was shy."
It has become somewhat of a tradition for the previous year’s winner to be on stage and present the new winner with the American Idol trophy. But last year’s winner Lee DeWyze was nowhere to be seen.
In fact, while DeWyze was in the audience for the taping, he was never shown on camera and host Ryan Seacrest actually stood in front of him at one point blocking him from the shot. Seacrest never mentioned Lee or pointed him out to the viewers.
So what really went down?
Lee says he was never asked to be part of the final show until the very last minute – about two minutes before country singer Scotty McCreery was crowned champion.
Lee informed his fans by tweeting,
"Hey guys, no I'm not performing at the Finale. I wasn't asked to. A lot of questions so I thought I'd fill you in. Talk to you soon,"
DeWyze elaborated later when asked by reporters what was happening saying,
"I was not asked to be involved in the finale. It wasn't until about two minutes before they announced the winner that Nigel approached me and asked if he could 'borrow' me for a second. I didn't feel a last-second jump on stage was appropriate. It was Scotty's moment."
But Lee’s brother Michael was not as politically correct about the matter and took to twitter to voice is opinion saying,
"American idol producers have no respect... that is all... serious b.s., Nigel Lythgoe a no soul scumbag."
Michael later apologized tweeting,
“People may think I'm being rude but it’s just very obvious when someone is being treated disrespectfully... sorry bout angry tweets. Heat of moment,"
DeWyze did perform earlier in the season but says it was rehearsed and very formal and he had no problem with that appearance.
At the end of the day, Lee seemed to have gotten over his initial unhappiness and sent one final tweet on the matter saying,
"I appreciate American Idol and the opportunity it has given me. And the people who have made that show possible. I am not angry or bitter etc. It was an amazing finale, and I would have loved to be a part of it. I just wasn't asked."
Both Kris Allen and Adam Lambert who were the winner and runner-up during season 8 were in the audience but did not take the stage during the evening either.
Related: Adam Lambert sports some bizarre facial hair
It’s not unusual, and almost customary, for previous contestants and winners to be part of the final show. Most contestants that participated in this year’s competition were in the audience with the one notable exception of Chris Medina.
Related: Chris Medina snubbed at Idol finale
One reason producers may not have wanted Lee onstage is that his debut album “Live it up” flopped. Not only were sales well below expectations but reviews were also negative.
Entertainment Weekly said the album suffers from vague production that strips his Adam Duritz-y growl of all humor, anger, and sexuality.
We may never know exactly what went down. But we suspect it was a heat-of-the-moment situation that was taken out of context by all involved.
We should just be happy for Scotty “The Body” McCreery and look forward to his first album.
Because after all, the real question on everybody’s mind is if Scotty and Lauren are in love.
Related: American Idol's Scotty McCreery - "I Fell in Love"
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