American Idol Controversy: Did AT&T Contribute to Kris Allen Victory?
by Hilton Hater at .We mean no disrespect to Kris Allen or his supporters, but might the reigning American Idol champion have unfairly earned his crown?
According to a report in The New York Times, one of the show's biggest sponsors may have played a vital role in Allen's victory.
AT&T, by its own admission, provided phones for free text-messaging services at parties organized by fans of the Arkansas native.
At a pair of gatherings in Allen's honor - held during, and immediately following, last week's Tuesday night performance show - representatives of AT&T (whose network is the only one that can be used to cast American Idol votes via text message) passed around free phones.
No such efforts were made on behalf of Adam Lambert.
No one doubts Kris Allen's talent. But questions are being raised about the fairness of his American Idol victory.
Moreover, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette states that AT&T employees actually instructed Allen fans on how to send 10 or more text messages at the press of a single button.
In a statement issued yesterday, a spokesman for AT&T didn't deny these accusations:
“In Arkansas, we were invited to attend the local watch parties organized by the community. A few local employees brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested."
Interestingly, Fox has refused to release the voting percentages or figures from this season.
Why would AT&T possibly favor Allen over Lambert? Might the company prefer a clean-cut, uncontroversial champion of a show it sponsors? We don't know.
But this rumor won't quiet critics that believe Lambert lost due to his sexual orientation.
Related Stories
-
American Idol Fans Stab Each Other Over Finalist Dispute -
American Idol Alums to Judge Season 13?
-
Nigel Lythgoe Blames Lack of "Chemistry" for American Idol Judging Problems
Comments (28 Total)
"I'd rather listen to him sing than someone who screams during the whole song." Kristin, now you're becoming very annoying... I already got over with the show... Kris is talented... But to criticize Adam like that... It just annoys me that people can't distinguish a person SCREAMING with a person REACHING A HIGH NOTE... And the writer of this article is not complaining that Kris won... But he is just looking for the possibility that there might be an alteration with the results... It is just a possibility!!! It is not as he said the TRUTH...
No matter who won whether it was Adam or Kris no one will be completely happy, there would be a controversy. If Adam won it would have been said that he would have rigged it!
yeahh adam is hot. its a shame hes gay
Point is this was meant to be a singing contest not a voting contest! The absurdity of what happened with the power texts in Kris's "community" (is that a location, or like minded people who were also informed??) only highlights the underlining fallacy/travesty of a CONTEST where individuals r able to vote hundreds and apparently thousands of times. AI IS serious business for AT&T,Fox, the producers etc.The Times says even their rules were broken,That should count for something.Personally I liked them both but thought Adam was a one in a million knock out star. The fact that people say he was not an appropriate AMERICAN idol seriously offends me.if nothing else, Obama's election should remind us that it's our tolerance for diversity that makes America what it is.
Chris Allen didn't deserve to win and I totally believe that his fans had to cheat to get him the title. Shame on AT&T for messing up the win for Adam. Chris will be another Taylor Hicks and Adam will shine because he is unbelievably talented!! We love you Adam. You are the best!