Crystal Bowersox is a front runner on American Idol this season. But behind her soulful singing lies a difficult childhood dealing with diabetes, divorce and a father behind bars. Following her diabetes diagnosis at the age of six, things worsened still for the Ohio native when her parents got a divorce.

Picture of Crystal Bowersox: Her Troubled Upbringing [source:TheHollywoodGossip.com]

Not only did Crystal Bowersox witness a brawl between her mother and new stepmom, but a fight between her dad and 15 year old stepbrother over the youngsters school record and attitude landed her dad in jail on domestic violence charges.

Are we looking at the next American Idol right here?

Her dads predicament was especially rough on Crystal; she was always Daddys little girl, her step grandfather, Wally Kline, told Star of Bowersox's tough beginning.

That's very sad, but we're just glad she's come out of it fine, and was able to channel such difficulties into music that's captivating us week after week on American Idol.[source:TheHollywoodGossip.com]