Wednesday May 21, 2008
David Cook isn't bashing Simon Cowell for declaring David Archuleta the American Idol winner on Tuesday's show.
"You know, everybody's got an opinion, and tonight was Archuleta's night," Cook told Usmagazine.com. "I have to concede it: The kid came out all three songs and nailed it. But I walk away from this with my head held high."
In round one, the two both won praises from the judges, with Cook belting out U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and Archuleta performing Elton John's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me."
Cowell then predicated Archuleta would win. (See Archuleta's baby photo here!)
For round two, Cook, kicked it up, strapping on a white Gibson Les Paul and performing "Dream Big," which he chose from among the finalists from the Idol songwriting competition.
Archuleta went with the inspirational ballad "In This Moment."
Cook chose Collective Soul's "The World I Know" as his final performance, while Archuleta reprised John Lennon's "Imagine," which he sang earlier this season.
"I don't feel like I've won it or lost it," Cook told Us after the show. "I feel like it's completely out of my hands.
"But I did what I set out to do tonight," he added, "which is to have fun and just embrace the moment. Mission, accomplished."
Archuleta told Us he is still not ruling out the fact that Cook could be crowned tonight's winner.
"Even though Simon wasn't so favoring Cook, he did so well, and I think America will realize that," he said. "You never know what will happen."
Regardless of the outcome, Archuleta told Us, "I just feel it's cool to be able to be next to [Cook], someone you look up to."
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Posted by Alissa R at 9:44 am ET
