American Idol
Gossip

Amidst growing controversy that AT&T helped to rig this season's American Idol results, the show wants to make it clear:

Kris Allen is the champion.

Earlier today Fox, Idol producers 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia issued the following statement:

"Fox and the producers of American Idol are absolutely certain that the results of this competition are fair, accurate and verified. Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol. We have an independent third-party monitoring procedure in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process. In no way did any individuals unfairly influence the outcome of the competition."

Kris Allen won American Idol. Up next? A debut album.

AT&T also defended itself:

"Last week, countless parties were held in homes, bars, and other public places across America to watch the American Idol finale. In Arkansas, a few local AT&T employees were invited to attend two local watch parties organized by the community. Caught up in the enthusiasm of rooting for their hometown contestant, they brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.

"Going forward, we will make sure our employees understand our sponsorship celebrates the competition, not individual contestants. That said, it's quite a leap to suggest that a few individuals could have impacted the final results."

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.

Continue Reading...

Fans and celebrities are still coming to grips with the fact that Adam Lambert is not the American Idol.

While Kris Allen is clearly an impressive talent, it's hard for critics not to wonder about the basis for his victory; namely, did it have anything to do with Lambert's presumed homosexuality?

Here's a sampling of ways various critics have tackled that issue/asked that question:

• The Chicago Tribune: "It's difficult not to wonder if Lambert's sexuality played a role in Allen's victory... If Lambert's popularity on Idol was any indication of how tolerant and accepting America has become, his loss may indicate there's still further to go."

• Professional poker player Annie Duke: "I seriously think Adam lost just because he is gay. Bummed. Bummed. Bummed."

• Examiner.com: "Adam was too gay for America."

What do you think of these arguments? Weigh in below...

Did Adam Lambert's sexual orientation cost him the American Idol crown?

Kris Allen is your new American Idol.

Left speechless when Ryan Seacrest initially asked him how it felt, Allen continued to express utter consternation backstage.

"I felt shocked almost every week that I made it, and to be the American Idol, I’m completely shocked."

The champion also had nothing but kind words for fellow finalist Adam Lambert: "I feel like he deserves this just as much as I do. He’s an amazing performer, gifted guy and really just an amazing guy. It was fun doing this with him."

Where will Kris go from here, in terms of making an album?

"I think it’s pretty obvious that I’ve done a lot of the singer-songwriter, pop-rock kind of thing and that’s something I want to do."

Do you think Kris Allen is a worthy champion?

Lambert, meanwhile, isn't about to shed any tears over his second place finish.

"I felt so good. I got to sing with Queen and KISS!" he told OK!, reflecting on the two-hour finale. "First or second, it doesn’t matter to me; I got to sing with two great, heroic rock bands."

Continue Reading...

We were surprised that Kris Allen won American Idol.

Still, that wasn't the most unexpected thing to take place on the stage of the Nokia Theatre last night.

As part of the two-hour finale, Kara DioGuardi sang a duet with former nemesis Katrina Darrell! (Remember her? Darrell earned the nickname "Bikini Girl" during the initial rounds of Idol auditions for donning a swimsuit while she sang for the judges.)

Moreover, at the end of their "Vision of Love" rendition, DioGuardi flashed her own bikini body for the world to see.

We strongly recommend watching the duet, if only for Randy Jackson's priceless reaction when Darrell comes out on stage, clearly enhanced in one area of her body.

Compare Kara and Katrina below and then answer our poll question:

Who has the better bikini body?

From handsome also-ran to American Idol champion.

Kris Allen completed an incredible journey this week by being named the eighth-ever winner of the most popular show on television.

Overlooked when the competition began - at the outset, Simon Cowell even suggested that Allen should keep his marriage a secret because he would only advance based on his looks - Allen shed his underdog label and overcame Adam Lambert in a tightly-contested finale.

What was Allen's reaction upon winning? He said: "Adam deserves this. I'm sorry." Class act (and we agree!).

Will Kris follow in the successful footsteps of past victors such as Carrie Underwood? Or the anonymous footsteps of champs such as Reuben Studdard?

Only time will tell. For now, let's just wish a hearty congratulations to one of the most unexpected winners in show history!

Did Kris Allen deserve to be named the American Idol winner? Answer the poll and then leave a comment. Let us know!

Take a look back at Allen's American Idol journey. Click on the following photos to enlarge images of the champion:

Continue Reading...

Two finalists. Three songs each. One final night of performances.

American Idol will crown its eighth champion tonight. But, first, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen each had a few chances to leave viewers with a winning impression. Let's review each finalist's renditions from last night...

ROUND ONE: We start with the contestant's choice, as both Lambert and Allen brought back classics from earlier this season.

Lambert chose the Tears for Fears song "Mad World," making a fog-filled entrance and donning a long, black overcoat. Once again, the performance showcased this singer's sultry voice and unparalleled range. It earned an "A-plus for Adam" from Randy.

Allen, meanwhile, played to his strength. Seated behind a piano, he went with "Ain't No Sunshine." Simon appeared to favor this routine over that of Lambert, while Kara gushed over how well Kris connected with the audience.
EDGE: Even.

Which opening performance did you prefer on the American Idol finale?

ROUND TWO: Time for American Idol creator Simon Fuller to play a role. He chose the songs for this round.

Kara wasn't shy about deeming Lambert's rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" as his best performance of the season. We wouldn't go that far, but the crooner held himself back from changing the arrangement too much, or overly relying on his patented screams. A great showcase for his versatility.

Here's where Kris lost ground to Adam. Strumming his guitar to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," Allen didn't put on a finale-worthy performance. We agreed with Simon and Randy assessment: it was fine and all, but not memorable enough, given the circumstances.
EDGE: Lambert.

Which round two performance did you prefer on the American Idol finale?

Continue Reading...

Adam Lambert and Kris Allen take on each other in tonight's American Idol finale.

The day before this monumental showdown, however, the pair of finalists faced the media together. Here's a summary of the responses they gave a series of journalists outside Hollywood's Nokia Theatre...

Kris, on being nervous: “I don’t feel too much pressure right now. We’ve made it. I feel like we’ve accomplished exactly what we wanted to accomplish, and we’re going to go out there and have a good show. It’s going to be a lot of fun.” 

Adam, on comparisons to Kris: “We’re just very different types of artists, and at this point, it’s not about out singing each other. It’s not like a direct competition. It’s about both of us staying really true to what we do.”

FRIENDS & FOES: American Idol comes down to Adam Lambert vs. Kris Allen. Who do you want to win?

Adam, on his theater experience: “This isn’t theater, so I don’t really see how it affects it at all. I’ve had experience on stage performing, but so has Kris... just in different venues. Kris has worked clubs and worked with a band... The thing that’s really cool about this competition is that it’s an equal opportunity situation.”

Kris, on if his Christian background will lead to votes: “I hope that having the Christian vote does not help with anything. I hope it has to do with your talent and the performance that you give and the package that you have, and it’s not about religion and all that kind of stuff.”

Sorry, Danny Gokey fans.

Our apologies to Alison Iraheta supporters.

While your favorites came close, only two finalists remain, as American Idol heads into its final week: Adam Lambert and Kris Allen.

One is a theatrical, flamboyant crooner; the other is a serene, acoustic guitar specialist. Which will come out on top? You tell us!

Who will win American Idol?

The winner of American Idol will either be Adam Lambert or Kris Allen.

But Danny Gokey isn't too sad over his name being left off that list, following the finalist's elimination last week.

"My whole testimony is overcoming," Gokey told reporters over the weekend. "Overcoming the impossible in my life, and now I want to take that message and tell people, 'If I can do it, you can do it.'"

Specifically, Danny is referring to the sad fact that his wife died just a few weeks before his initial American Idol tryout.

American Idol title or not, Danny Gokey keeps a smile on his face.

During this summer's tour with his fellow top 10 finalists on the show, Gokey plans to take his inspiring message on the road. He'll also continue charity work for Sophia's Heart Foundation, an organization named in honor of his wife.

"I was a nobody, and this show turned me into somebody and I'll always be thankful for the roots that I came out of because I do believe that still the best has yet to come for me," Gokey said. "This is not the end of the road."