Your New American Idol: Lee DeWyze

American Idol crowned its new champion tonight: 24-year-old Lee DeWyze, a shy paint clerk from Mount Prospect, Illinois. He beat Crystal Bowersox in the finale, which featured a surprise performance by recovering rocker Bret Michaels. (He joined Idol finalist Casey James on the Poison hit "Every Rose Has Its Thorn.)

The show made the most of Simon Cowell 's last appearance as a judge, including a film montage recounting classic Cowell moments. During the show, Bowersox told him: "You've been amazing this season." She thanked him him for his criticism and help and, in a charming moment, wished the highly paid record and TV producer good luck "on your future endeavors." (More American Idol stories.)