Business & Finance Club Magazine - Art & Culture - United States -- Even as rumours of a dip in viewership ratings continue to dog American Idol, the two finalists of the show's 9th season — which will be aired in the US Wednesday night — have come a long way indeed.

Now, more than three months into the show, they are already well-known faces with an ever-growing fan base.

While the results are unlikely to put a dent in the popularity of either, the eventual winner does have the luxury of walking home with a million-dollar recording contract and enjoying his or her time in the Idol spotlight, at least until the next one comes along.

Here's a look at how the two finalists shape up.

CRYSTAL BOWERSOX, 24

Previous profession: BuskerBowersox got her start playing for loose change at train stations and singing gospel at her church, but there's no room for that in her near future.

Audition: She tried out in Chicago with a cover of Erma Franklin's Piece of my Heart, and has since established a unique sound that's kept her from blending in, a sin on a show like Idol.

Selling point: It's a nice change for audiences to see a dreadlocked, pierced and tattooed female finalist on the show, rather than the usual neatly-packaged pop stars it has produced in the past.

Best performance: Her performance of People Get Ready, originally done by Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions in 1965, was so emotional and heartfelt that it brought her to tears at the microphone stand.

Worst performance: During the top six Shania Twain week, Bowersox gave a disappointing performance of No One Needs to Know that did little to impress the judges, yet she still managed to stay out of the bottom three.

LEE DEWYZE, 24

Previous profession: Paint salesman. A self-taught guitarist, DeWyze released two albums before joining Idol, in 2006 and in 2010, but his musical journey is now closer to its peak than ever before.

Audition: DeWyze accompanied a friend to the American Idol audition in Chicago. His friend didn't wow the judges, but DeWyze's rendition of Marilyn Manson's The Beautiful People started him on a journey that took him all the way to the final two.

Selling point: Despite consistently impressing the judges and being a fan-favourite, DeWyze's feet are planted firmly on the ground with a humble smile and heart-warming vocals.

Best performance: The judges unanimously agreed that DeWyze's spine-tingling rendition of Hallelujah — which got him into the final two — proved he had what it takes to be the next Idol, dubbing his performance "the biggest moment".

Worst performance: DeWyze almost cost himself a spot in the final three when he slaughtered Seal's Kiss from a Rose. The performance lacked DeWyze's usual passion and came out awkward and aloof instead.

Don't Miss it

In the UAE, Star World will broadcast the last four episodes of American Idol from Wednesday until Friday. The final episode will be shown LIVE on MBC4 at 4am ON Wednesday and repeated on Thursday at 9pm.