21 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze

Although Le Dewyze may be the highly-adorable celebrity now, not many would believe that the former American Idol champ was once clerking on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor. Wow! Just wow! Well, not that it matters these days anymore, though. However, it will still be worth it discovering some things one probably didn't know about their favorite celebrity. 

1. DeWyze was born on April 2, 1986, in Mount Prospect, Illinois, the eldest son of Kathleen (née Donahue) and Leon (Lee) DeWyze, Sr., who worked as a postal carrier in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. 

2. He started singing at a young age and was discovered by the musician Louis Svitek, who heard him playing the guitar and singing at a house party in Chicago.

3. DeWyze never graduated from high school, seeing as he was expelled from Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois - a school he attended up until his senior year - because of too many fights. Afterwards, he worked as a paint salesman.

4. As a result of touring in the Chicago area and performing at many venues, DeWyze and his band's music were known locally, even getting radio play on WXRT long before he auditioned for American Idol.

5. DeWyze only agreed to audition for the ninth season of American Idol on June 22, 2009, after encouragement from his friend Vincent Ferrara who was also trying out for the contest in Chicago.

6. Maybe you haven't seen him playing too many instruments, but Lee De Wyze is an expert of instruments as he plays as many as four instruments - drums, bass, piano, and guitar.

7. Unlike many celebrities, De Wyze is a digital guy with his website www.leedewyzeofficial.com and blog www.lee-dewyze.blogspot.com.

• DeWyze released two independent albums, So I'm Told in 2007 andSlumberlandin 2010, both on Svitek's label, WuLi Records.

• Before Idol, DeWyze had a solo career and formed the Lee DeWyze Band.

8. before Idol, DeWyze was a clerk on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor. 

9. He also had an opportunity to succeed in Forex trading and other kinds of jobs, but he finished his financial career in 2008 and became the teens' icon in 2010. Wow, so even DeWyze was once a trader! Guess it wouldn't be so bad trying your luck with forex trading too, would it? But before you even put in your cash, be sure you've learned all about MT4 forex brokers, MetaTrader 4 vs MetaTrader 5, the rudiments of the forex market, risks involved, and how to survive in the currency market.

10. His blog states that he owns a British Bulldog named Capone, has four tattoos, is afraid of clowns and heights, loves playing Scrabble, and called home before each Idol performance.

11. As a result of winning American Idol, he became the headliner of the 2010 American Idols LIVE! Tour. The songs he chose to perform for the tour include "Beautiful Day," "Rocket Man," "Treat Her Like a Lady," "Hallelujah," and "Use Somebody." 

12. DeWyze won "Choice TV: Male Reality/Variety Star" at the Teen Choice Awards on August 8, 2010.

• In July 2012, he teamed with The Heart Foundation's "One for the Heart" Campaign, offering his song "Fight" as a free download to those who donated to the organization.

• He has twice performed at the Gateway for Cancer Research's annual Cures Gala charity event; once in November 2012, and once in October 2013.

• He has three other tattoos, including a silhouette of the Chicago flag and tree of life on his right arm and a Shel Silverstein illustration on his left arm.

• Lee DeWyze doesn't sleep often. He calls himself "someone that lacks in the sleep department." According to him, though, the silver lining, of course, is that it provides more waking time to write songs - such as his new "Night and Day," premiering exclusively below before its release on April 12.

• Don't ask DeWyze what he thinks about the new incarnation of American Idol on ABC. He's not watching! He once said:

"Whether I was ever on American Idol or not, the core and the heart and what keeps me motivated and energized about music is creating and writing and performance. That will never change, Idol or not. I put songwriting in front of everything I do. That's what I love about music and what I'm most passionate about."

• According to recent reports, Lee DeWyze is worth around net worth of 500 thousand dollars.
• After a whirlwind eight-month romance, the then 25-year-old singer got down on bended knee at Disney World in Florida, proposing to the model/actress, Jonna Walsh.