The honeymoon is over for "American Idol" alum Lee DeWyze -- the season 9 champ has been dumped by his record label ... just a year-and-a-half after winning the title.

DeWyze was signed with RCA Records -- whose artist roster includes former Idol stars Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jordin Sparks.

As for Lee -- he's taking the whole thing in stride -- according to his rep, who says DeWyze is "in a good place right now" and working on "several exciting projects".

Back before he won "American Idol" -- Lee DeWyze flirted with the dark side ... in fact, dude covered a song by Marilyn Manson.




DeWyze's old record label has just released Lee's rendition of Manson's hit "Beautiful People" -- roughly one year after Lee recorded it back in Chicago.

While the cover ain't half bad -- we're told the song never made the cut on any of Lee's old albums.

But hey, times change.

Bret Michaels didn't just sing on "American Idol" last night, he also played the role of career adviser -- giving champ Lee DeWyze a crucial tip about staying alive in the music biz. 



It all went down after the show, when the two met up for a few backstage pics (the one above is from Bret's own camera).

Bret's people tell us before they separated, Bret dished out the following nugget of wisdom -- "Everyone is nervous before they hit the stage. What separates the ones who make it and [the ones that] don't is how they channel that energy."

We're not saying Bret stole that line from a fortune cookie, but he also told Lee that his lucky numbers are 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42.

Right after winning "American Idol" -- newly crowned champ Lee DeWyze celebrated his face off ... at a Hollywood after-party with runner-up Crystal Bowersox ... and an army of private security. 


Flanked by hired muscle, the two singers were all smiles outside the Mondrian hotel on Sunset Blvd. -- posing for fans and even giving some final thoughts on Simon Cowell and Bret Michaels.

Question is ...

Our spies at the "American Idol" rehearsal today say Crystal Bowersox was so nervous she forgot the words to the song she'll release if she wins tomorrow night.  And Lee DeWyze got ticked off after he got hit with a violin bow.


Both Crystal and Lee will each sing 3 songs.  The first song is their choice, the second was chosen by Simon Fuller and the third song is the one that will be released by the winner.

Crystal chose "Me and Bobby McGee" for her first song.  Fuller had her sing "Black Velvet."  As for the song she'll release ... it's called "Up to the Mountain." Crystal stopped dead in her tracks in the middle of the song and started over.

As for Lee, he chose, "The Boxer," and Fuller selected "Everybody Hurts." As for the song he'll release if he wins ... it's called, "Beautiful Day." 

As Lee finished "Beautiful Day," a violinist accidentally hit him in the body with his bow.  Lee was upset and walked off the stage .... even before the pretend judges could weigh in.

Should be interesting.

The smart money is on Lee DeWyze to win "American Idol" -- in fact, dude has become the odds on favorite to win the show ... this according to one of the biggest gambling sites in the world.


The gambling experts at BoDog.com have decided that Lee's odds to win the show are 1/2 -- while Crystal Bowersox is at 3/2. 

Translation -- a $2 bet would pay back $3 on Lee (the favorite) and $5 on Crystal (the underdog).

But the odds don't always predict the winner -- last year, Adam Lambert was the odds on favorite to win ... and we all know how that worked out.
 

After nailing his rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," "American Idol" finalist Lee DeWyze was spotted leaving the show's set alone on Tuesday.


Either Lee, Bowersox or the other guy will be sent home tonight.