Lee DeWyze Emerges As New Frontrunner On ‘American Idol’

Lee DeWyze emerged as the new frontrunner on “American Idol” after he thrilled the judges during Frank Sinatra week with a soulful l rendition of “That’s Life.”

Mentored by Harry Connick Jr., who revealed his wife, model Jill Goodacre, thought the Illinois-bred singer was “really cute,” Lee was able to overcome the shyness he’s experienced off and on all season and give a performance that left the entire panel in awe.

“If this was the last night of performances, you would have just won the whole thing,” judge Ellen DeGeneres noted.

“What I really love, is that you gave 110 percent,” Simon Cowell said. “It was, by far… the best performance of the night.”

Harry also took a liking to the contender, who bore a striking resemblance to the crooner.

“He looks like a new and improved version of me,” Harry laughed.

With Lee on top, that meant Crystal Bowersox slipped from her usual frontrunner spot.

Despite moving Harry in rehearsals, when the mom hit the stage – in a lacy, floor length gown – to perform “Summer Wind,” she split the panel.

“It was OK, but it was a little bit sleepy for me,” Randy Jackson said.

Ellen, however, a strong fan of Crystal’s all season long, said the performance showed a different side to the blonde singer.

“Man, if I saw you for the first time, I would never know you were that other girl too,” Ellen said. “You have so many sides.”

Although she has never been in the bottom three, Simon suggested there was a possibility that Crystal could be in trouble this week.

“You’ve had two OK weeks. If you survive [to] next week… now it’s about being in it to win it,” the British judge commented.

It was also a tough week for Casey James.

The Texan took on “Blue Skies” and Randy called Casey’s rendition his “worst performance,” adding it “was pitchy until the last note.”

Harry stumped for the singer though, noting that in rehearsal Casey had “killed it, but that’s not gonna help with the viewers.”

Michael Lynche and Aaron Kelly both received better news.

Randy told Big Mike he gave an “unbelievable vocal” on “The Way You Look Tonight,” while Ellen said he had “a lot of charisma.”

Ellen told Aaron, who performed “Fly Me To The Moon,” also known as “In Other Words,” he offered some “beautiful vocals.”

Simon, however, took another tone, telling the teen that if Frank Sinatra “was a lion, you were just a mouse.”