Simon Cowell Makes His ‘Idol’ Prediction; Talks About Leaving The Show

Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox will make one final push for viewer votes when they take the stage at Tuesday night’s “American Idol” finale.

However, as far as departing judge Simon Cowell is concerned, it could be more than pure talent that earns this year’s winner the crown.

“If you’d of asked me five or six weeks ago, 100 percent I would have said Crystal. But now I’ve changed my mind,” Simon said during an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” which airs Tuesday. “I think Lee is going to win. It’s just a hunch — something about him, the fact that his story… He’s worked in a paint shop. He’s talented. He hasn’t had any real breaks in life and this has given him a shot and I like that.”

However, Simon admitted not to count out Crystal since his track record lately is less than stellar.

“The last two years I’ve gotten it completely and utterly wrong so I don’t think anyone is listening to me anymore,” he added.

The two-night “Idol” finale, airing Tuesday and Wednesday, not only marks the coronation of a new champ, but also the end of an era, as Simon will end his run on the FOX reality show.

With his departure looming, how is he feeling?

“I am feeling a bit sad because we’re nearly there, but at the same time, do you remember sort of that last three weeks when you were leaving school and you kind of couldn’t wait to get out? It’s a little bit like that,” he explained. “It’s kind of exciting. I’m not being ungrateful. I’ve had a fantastic time and the show changed my life but I just kind of knew it was time to do something different.”

As for Ellen, who joined the show at the beginning of the year, she said it’s been a pleasure working alongside the biting Brit, even if it was only for one season.

“I don’t know if it was because it was your last year or because this is my first year, but you have been a joy to work with,” Ellen told Simon. “I said this to someone recently, ‘Who knew I’d like you so much?’ I had no idea… I actually have had so much fun with you that I was sad that you were leaving.”

Simon also offered an apology to the talk show host for announcing he was leaving the show on the same day she joined the cast.

“I do actually feel guilty about that. I genuinely do because I didn’t think about that, which is your first day and two hours before you’re starting, I held a press conference to say, ‘By the way, I’m leaving.’ Nice way for you to start,” Simon admitted.

“I hold no grudge,” Ellen smiled.