Who is Crystal Bowersox? Everything You Need To Know

Crystal Lynn Bowersox, born on August 4, 1985, is a versatile American artist known for her talents in singing, songwriting, and acting. She gained widespread recognition as the runner-up on the ninth season of American Idol, marking the first female finalist in three years to achieve this distinction.

Her inaugural album, “Farmer’s Daughter,” graced listeners’ ears on December 14, 2010, courtesy of Jive Records. Following her debut, Bowersox continued to captivate audiences with the release of her second album, “All That for This,” on March 26, 2013.

Crystal Bowersox: A Brief Profile

Full Name	Crystal Bowersox
Net Worth	$500,000
Date Of Birth	August 4, 1985
Place Of Birth	Elliston, Ohio, United States
Profession	Singer-songwriter, Singer, Musician, Artist, Actress
Education	High School, Ottawa County, Ohio, School for the Arts, Toledo
Nationality	American
Spouse	Brian Walker (m. 2010)
Children	Anthony Levi Mason
Parents	Kelly Bowersox, Bill Bowersox, Ann Arbor, MI, United States, Cleveland, OH, United States, Ithaca, NY, United States
Nicknames	Bowersox, Crystal
Record Labels	Shanachie Records, 19 Entertainment / Jive Records

Early Life, Family, Parents, and Educational Background

Bowersox and her twin brother, Karl, entered the world in Elliston, Ohio, to parents Kelly Lynn Bowersox (formerly Bowlander) and William Lester Bowersox. Unfortunately, her parents’ marriage dissolved when she was just two years old.

At the tender age of six, Bowersox received a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, a challenge she bravely faced. She pursued her education at Oak Harbor High School in Oak Harbor, Ohio, before further honing her talents at the Toledo School for the Arts in Toledo, Ohio. During her school days, she was an active member of the choir and showcased her musical prowess by playing the flute in the school marching band.

Bowersox embarked on her musical journey early in life, taking her first professional gig at the remarkable age of 10. She began performing at local venues in Toledo, with Papa’s Tavern and The Village Idiot in Maumee, Ohio, among her notable appearances.

At the age of seventeen, she made a significant move to Chicago, where she became a busker, sharing her music at train stations, including the Washington and Lake Redline stops. She immersed herself in the vibrant local music scene by participating in open mic nights such as the In One Ear show at the Heartland Cafe, and venues like Uncommon Ground at Clark and Grace, as well as the Devon locations. Her musical talent also graced the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.

In 2006, Bowersox was chosen by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs to represent the city’s folk musicians as part of the Sister Cities program, “Experience Chicago,” hosted in Birmingham. Her musical journey continued to expand as she embarked on an independent small cafe tour in 2007, taking her talents to various locales, including Memphis, Oaxaca City, Ankara, and Istanbul.

In 2009, Bowersox became a mother, giving birth to her son, Anthony Levi Mason. She faced the challenge of raising her son as a single parent, as his father departed just six weeks into her pregnancy.

Professional Career

At the young age of 10, she embarked on her musical journey, taking the stage at local bars such as The Village Idiot, Papas, and venues in Toledo.

Upon reaching 17, she ventured to Chicago in search of opportunities, and as she pursued employment, she showcased her talent as a street artist at various train stations, including the Redline Lake and Washington stops. In 2006, her musical abilities earned her recognition when she was chosen by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs to represent the city’s folk musicians in the Sister Cities program held in Birmingham.

Her performances extended to notable venues like Heartland Cafe, Uncommon Ground at Clark and Grace, and the Devon Locations. In 2007, her musical journey went global as she embarked on a tour that included destinations like Oaxaca, Mexico, Memphis, Tennessee, Ankara, and Istanbul.

In 2011, she expanded her repertoire by making her acting debut in “Body of Proof.” By October 2012, she had signed with Shanachie Records.

March 2013 marked the release of her second album, accompanied by a tour. During the same year, she graced “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and became a participant in the Lancaster Festival.

In July 2020, she unveiled her single “Courage to Be Kind.”

Notably recognized for her trademark dreadlocks, a significant change occurred in November 2013 when media outlets reported her decision to cut her distinctive hair. This marked a departure from her iconic dreadlocks, and over the years, she revisited this transformation, ultimately sporting short blond hair in recent times.

Crystal Bowersox: American Idol Star

In 2010, she undertook her audition for the show in Chicago, Illinois, where she delivered a memorable rendition of the song “Piece of My Heart.”

During her time on the show, she faced a health scare due to her diabetes, leading to the postponement of her scheduled performance.

However, she swiftly rebounded and impressed the judges with an outstanding performance the following day, establishing herself as one of the standout musicians on the show.

Although she ultimately claimed the second-place spot, her journey on the show paved the way for a significant opportunity – signing a contract with 19 Entertainment.

Crystal Bowersox: A Flourishing Singing Journey

Crystal Bowersox’s journey took a significant turn when she emerged as the runner-up on American Idol, marking a pivotal moment in her life. Following her American Idol success, she secured a contract with 19 Entertainment/Jive Records, with her single “Up to the Mountain” making its way to radio stations and iTunes.

Her debut album, “Farmer’s Daughter,” was officially released on December 14, 2010, both in stores and on iTunes. Notably, she had the privilege of performing her song “Farmer’s Daughter” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on December 16, 2010. In October 2012, she expanded her musical journey by signing a recording deal with Shanachie Records, eventually releasing her second studio album, “All That for This,” on March 26, 2013.

Exploring her talents beyond singing, she ventured into acting and made her acting debut in a second-season episode of “Body of Proof.” She also made guest appearances on the Blues Traveler album, “Suzie Cracks the Whip,” lending her vocals alongside John Popper and joining him in a concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.

Crystal Bowersox’s captivating presence extended to television as she graced “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” where she performed her song “Movin’ On” to promote her album. Additionally, she headlined the Lancaster Festival in Lancaster, Ohio, on June 27, 2013, further solidifying her multifaceted career.

Crystal Bowersox: Relationship History and Marital Status

During her American Idol days, Crystal Bowersox was in a relationship with Tony Kusian. Unfortunately, their early romance didn’t withstand the pressures, and they decided to part ways just hours before the Idol finale.

Crystal Bowersox’s love story took another turn when she tied the knot with Brian Walker on October 10, 2010, in a heartfelt ceremony held at the Uncommon Ground Café in Chicago. Interestingly, this restaurant held special significance for the couple, as it was where they had first crossed paths six years prior while both were performing at an open mic night. However, their marriage took a different course, and three years later, on May 16th, they jointly announced their decision to separate.

In a moment of personal revelation, while appearing on Good Day L.A. to promote her Christmas album on November 26, 2013, Crystal Bowersox openly shared that she identifies as bisexual.