'American Idol' runner-up says he planned to wear a 'Vote for Jordin Sparks' shirt on the finale because he knew he was going to lose

• Blake Lewis said he felt he was going to lose season six of "American Idol" before the finale.
• The singer said he planned to throw the finale and wear a shirt in support of Jordin Sparks.

"American Idol" runner-up Blake Lewis said he had plans to shake up the season-six finale because he expected to lose.

Speaking to Insider ahead of the Fox-ABC show's 20th anniversary, the singer said he began thinking of what he could do during the finale once he heard the last song he and finalist Jordin Sparks would have to sing and realized it was a much better fit for her.

"I had this big ploy where I was going to wear a 'Vote for Jordin Sparks' T-shirt and say, 'Thank you, America,' during that song and drop the mic and walk off stage."

But Lewis said he "chickened out." Also, he said, after telling one other person his plan, security watched him change outfits — seemingly so he wouldn't put on the shirt.

Lewis said he felt the final song was 'written for Jordin Sparks' and he wanted her to win

Lewis said he "knew I was fucked" when a group of executive producers played him and Sparks the song they'd both have to sing for the final live show.

"I gave them all the fingers. I said, 'Fuck you all,' and I walked out of the room. It was a song written for Jordin Sparks and they said I couldn't arrange it," he said.

Lewis, an award-winning beatboxer, had arranged his songs throughout the competition, so not being able to do so for the finale was an added blow. He said that even if he poured his heart out on stage and "performed the ish out of that song" he was never going to win.

The song, "This Is My Now," was a dramatic ballad chosen after "Idol" hosted a national songwriting competition in 2007.

"This Is My Now" songwriter Jeff Peabody said he and his cowriter Scott Krippayne had nothing to do with Lewis not being allowed to arrange the song. He said they felt "awkward" that their song was used for the finale because it "was so clearly a better fit for her."

Peabody said he and Krippayne "felt bad" and even apologized to Lewis in person.

Still, Sparks ended up winning season six.

"I wanted Jordin to win," Lewis told Insider. "We all predicted she was gonna win in Hollywood week."

Representatives for Jordin Sparks directed Insider to "Idol" producers when asked for comment. "American Idol" and Fox did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.