David Cook's American Idol finale absence wasn't a snub at the show that launched his career, according to his representative.
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The seventh-season American Idol champion didn't participate in Wednesday night's ninth-season finale performance that featured the show's previous winners performing a farewell tribute to departing judge Simon Cowell due to a charity event in Kansas City, his rep told Access Hollywood.
Cook was the only American Idol champion who wasn't part of the performance, which featured former winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, and Kris Allen singing Deltra Goodrem's "Together We Are One" to Cowell as the departing judge watched the tribute with former judge Paula Abdul -- who also returned for the finale -- sitting on his lap.
As the song ended, the former seven winners were also joined on stage by 20 additional former Idol finalists --including David Archuleta, Bo Bice, Kimberly Caldwell, Jason Castro, Kristy Lee Cook, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Justin Guarini, Allison Iraheta, Michael Johns, Blake Lewis, Constantine Maroulis, Chris Richardson, Brooke White, Elliott Yamin, Ace Young -- as well as all ten of the ninth season's previously eliminated Top 12 finalists.
Despite missing the finale, Cook apparently still kept close tabs on the show, which ended with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest announcing Lee Dewyze had defeated Crystal Bowersox and won the ninth-season title.
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"Congrats to Lee Dewyze! So sorry I could be there to see all my fellow idols. I'm there in spirit!" Cook wrote in a Twitter message posted minutes after Dewyze's victory was revealed.
(Photo credit Vince Bucci/FOX)
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