Kris Allen

As much as any other American Idol fan displeased with this season's outcome, we thought Adam Lambert should have been crowned champion.

But our effusive praise of the unique singer was never meant to disparage winner Kris Allen.

In fact, ever since his victory, Allen has been nothing short of grateful, humble and extremely appealing every time we hear him speak.

First, upon winning, Kris immediately said Lambert deserved the crown. Now, take a look at the American Idol during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

How can anyone not adore this laid back Arkansas native?!?

Kris Allen on Leno

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."

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:

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?

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?

As Adam Lambert has been singing his socks off, and his heart out, for weeks on American Idol, our staff has been singing the praises of this unique contestant.

The season eight title is clearly his to lose. But should it be?

Having already graced the cover of Entertainment Weekly, and made headlines around the country, Lambert has already won Idol. He will get a recording contract, he will top the charts for years to come and his musical dreams will come true.

Considering his talent and popularity, these goals will undoubtedly be accomplished, regardless of whether or not Adam takes home the crown Wednesday night.

Heck, one could argue that NOT being named American Idol will open Lambert up for the kind of versatile career he appears to be striving for.

Remember Chris Daughtry? He's often said his early elimination from season five allowed for a certain artistic freedom; he could instantly embark on a rock album, without the constraints often in place on American Idol champions (whose first single, in most cases, is the cheesy ballad they sing on each season's finale).

It's not hard to imagine Lambert actually benefiting, in the same way as Daughtry, from falling just short of victory.

But Kris Allen needs that crown. Kris Allen has worked hard for that crown. Kris Allen deserves a long, successful career, one likely not possible without that crown.

Wow.

We'll publish a detailed recap of the final three performance show on American Idol tomorrow, but we couldn't wait another second to shower praise on one of tonight's performances.

And it wasn't given by Adam Lambert for a change!

Kris Allen delivered the goods - and then some! - with an acoustic rendition of "Heartless." Sorry, Gokeheads. But next week's finale has to come down to Allen vs. Lambert.

Watch Allen's rendition of "Heartless" below and share your thoughts in the Comments section:

Kris Allen, Heartless

It's an American Idol tradition, on par with receiving criticism from Simon Cowell and smiling through Paula Abdul's jibberish.

Each year, the show's finalists attend BritWeek, an event created by producer Nigel Lythgoe. The event celebrates the link between Great Britain and the Los Angeles area.

At the 2009 edition, Adam Lambert and company got into the spirit of the occasion, posing for pictures and boogieing the night away with an Austin Powers impersonator...

Click on the photos above to enlarge images of American Idol's final five finalists at BritWeek.

Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen are officially household names.

This trio of aspiring singers were named to the finals on season eight of American Idol last week. Let's get to know each crooner a bit better.

Here are excerpts of the interviews they gave to TV Guide, following the announcement that each had been voted through to the final 12:

Allison Iraheta on...

... her hair color: "I wish [I was a natural redhead] — that'd be great, because then I wouldn't have to be worrying about dying the roots every five weeks. But no, my natural hair color is black."

... Simon Cowell's critique of her: "He doesn't know me. He says I'm boring, but honestly I'm not. I'll just chill a little bit more because the nerves got to me a little [this week]."

Adam Lambert on...

... his fashion taste: "Of course I upped the fashion [for this week], put on something a little dressier, a little funkier. Up to this point, it's been my own [fashion] eye."

... Simon Cowell's critique of him: "I take [Simon's] 'theatrical' comment as a compliment as opposed to a derogatory statement. A lot of the big [pop] artists are going the theatrical route. It's time for something like that."

Kris Allen on...

... a theme he'd love: "Doing The Beatles would be so amazing. I feel like you can do a lot with their songs. That would be the coolest thing ever."

... singing a Michael Jackson song last week: "I decided on ["Man in the Mirror"] a while back, so it was a little scary. But I was really confident in what I was dong. I was just happy I didn't get any compared to him."