Lee DeWyze

American Idol viewers were treated to a pair of surprises last night:

No, seriously! That guy is still around!

He won season nine of American Idol, but Lee DeWyze has lost out on a record deal.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, RCA Records CEO Peter Edge has confirmed that DeWyze is no longer a member of that label, making him the latest Idol champion to have trouble finding post-show success. Lee's debut album, 2010’s "Live It Up," sold just over 168,000 copies.

Lee DeWyze is officially a champion in music and in love.

The American Idol victor proposed to Jonna Walsh on July 16 and you'll never guess what she said: YES!

We didn't see this feud coming.

Just hours after the season finale of American Idol, producer Nigel Lythgoe called out season nine winner Lee DeWyze for not appearing on stage and handing the trophy to Scotty McCreery.

In the wake of Scotty McCreery's American Idol triumph, the country is asking multiple questions today?

Typically, the previous winner ends up on the stage to congratulate the new champ and hand him/her a trophy. But DeWyze was seated in the fifth row at the finale, and Ryan Seacrest never even mentioned his name.

Lee DeWyze returned to the stage that made him famous last night.

The season nine American Idol champion, whose album sales have been less than stellar, performed a new single ("Beautiful Like You") and offered advice to the remaining finalists: "Just remember why you tried out in the first place. You guys are fine, no matter what happens."

Lee DeWyze seems like a very nice guy and certainly possess a lot of music talent. But these numbers speak for themselves:

The American Idol champion moved 39,000 copies of his debut CD in its first week of sales, making him the least successful Idol finalist in history. Not just champion, mind you. But finalist. Period.

Lee DeWyze seems like a very nice guy and possesses perfectly solid music talent.

Then again, this combination hasn't resulted in much professional success for the two American Idol winners that preceded Lee, David Cook and Kris Allen.

It will have been six months since American Idol ended when Lee DeWyze releases his debut CD, but the season nine champion can't for the world to hear it.

"Putting out an album on a major label is truly a dream come true," DeWyze says. "I'm excited for all the people who supported me throughout Idol to hear what I can do with my own songs. The album shows a whole different side of me and I'm so proud of it."

With all the talk about the new season of American Idol and its new panel of judges (welcome, Steven Tyler!), Lee DeWyze has a message for fans:

Remember me?!?

It was a slow, but steady rise to the top for Lee DeWyze.

But it all paid off tonight, as the laid back rocker with the sexy, scratchy voice was crowned season nine champion on American Idol!

Lee DeWyze threw down the real gauntlet, according to Randy Jackson.

His rendition of "Hallelujah" was simply stunning, said Ellen DeGeneres.