American Idol Lee DeWyze Tears up During Hometown Chicago Visit

Tears came to Lee DeWyze‘s eyes more than five times during his visit to his native Chicago on Friday.

“It was so intense,” said the American Idol hopeful, who is one of the remaining three contestants along with Crystal Bowersox and Casey James.

During a packed day full of emotional overflow, DeWyze, 24, rekindled with old teachers at his Forest View District 214 High School, family members like his brother Mike — and also performed for over 41,000 people at Arlington Park Racetrack.

Starting his day around 7 a.m. with a trip to the Fox Chicago News where he read the weather report — 
”If music doesn’t work out I can be a weather man,” he joked — the singer followed up with a few quick stops at local radio stations, then a Chicago Cubs game, where he threw out the first pitch. Next up: a stop at his high school, where he told the current students, “People told me ‘no’ so many times, but things are worth trying.”