A dream ends for Blake

HOLLYWOOD -- It was billed as the singer vs. the performer, and in the massively popular televised singing competition known as "American Idol," the 17-year-old with the voice of a veteran won.

After a record 74 million votes were cast by the viewing public, Arizona's Jordin Sparks on Wednesday evening knocked out Bothell's beatboxing heartthrob, Blake Lewis, 25.

Lewis was unfazed by the loss: "I feel great," he told reporters immediately after the show. "The experience has been so amazing. I can't even explain it in words."

Sparks' win wasn't a bombshell to anyone who's been watching -- although, wearing a long golden gown, the towering singer looked every bit like one. She had all but sealed her victory the previous night, when she nailed a ballad written by a Seattle-area songwriting team. Lewis performed the same song earlier that night, but it was simply not a good fit.

"Not my cup of tea," he said later.

The result was certainly no surprise to many viewers in Seattle, who knew the verdict before the show even started, because it airs three hours earlier on the East Coast.

Still, at a lively viewing party at Seattle's Experience Music Project (hosted by Star 101.5, KOMO-TV and EMP), about 300 supporters rallied behind Lewis. The Sky Church was decked out for a victory party: black lights, tea candles, a huge screen and howling fans of all ages.

Among them was Bothell Mayor Mark Lamb. Though he already knew the fate of his town's native son, he said, "The good thing about Blake is he never compromised his musical integrity. He was who he was and he got this far, which is saying something."

Started as "B-Shorty"

Lewis was a somewhat unlikely contestant from the start. Before he tried out for "Idol," he had never seen an episode of the show.

A graduate of Inglemoor High School, where he sang in the choir, Lewis later began performing under the stage name "B-Shorty." He slowly gained attention in the Seattle underground scene, performing at small local venues like Tost and Nectar in Fremont.

Last summer, he decided to quit his job at the construction company where he worked with his dad, to try to make a living performing. Two months later, he tried out for "Idol."

Not that he was dead set on winning it all. "I actually picked Jordin to win," he said Wednesday after the verdict. "I thought about wearing a 'Vote for Jordin Sparks' T-shirt last night but they wouldn't let me do it."

Some of his fans in Seattle, too, were rooting for a second-place finish. "I feel bad saying it, but I'm happy he didn't win," said Courtenay Bennett, 26, at EMP on Wednesday night. " 'Idol' tries to put everyone in a box. Blake can do better than that."

Close observers of the show know that losing can be just as lucrative as winning. Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry all went on to successes in the entertainment field after getting bumped out of the competition.

Even as a loser, Lewis succeeded in sowing a diverse fan base (kiddies, indies, females of a certain age) with his spiky hair, his clothes and his happening vibe. His plans, he said, are to record an album that's a mix of electronic, hip-hop, pop and jazz. One goal is to work with some outstanding Seattle-area musicians.

A big finish

So all's well for Lewis -- and for the "American Idol" franchise. The bubbly Sparks seems poised to take on a recording career. And "Idol," still a ratings juggernaut although its audience numbers for this sixth season had been slipping compared with previous years, delivered an impressive two-hour finale Wednesday night.

It was anything but dull: An audience of several thousand inside the Kodak Theatre ate up performances by Bette Midler, Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight (with the top six female contestants as The Pips). And it was charmed by the singing of an African children's choir. Performances by other "Idol" finalists from this season -- LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle -- also scored standing ovations.

Sanjaya and hair rocked out with guitarist Joe Perry of Aerosmith -- and a wind machine. Kelly Clarkson, who won "American Idol" back in 2002, the show's first season, busted out in thigh-high boots.

Lewis delivered one of his best performances of the season, beatboxing with Doug E. Fresh.

The night was one long thrill for his most ardent hometown fans. Back at EMP, Turi Abbott, 11, and her sister Anikka, 13, were star-struck throughout the show: "He's from here. He's really cute. We still love him."

Florangela Davila: 206-464-2916 or fdavila@seattletimes.com.

Times staff reporter Haley Edwards reported from Seattle.