Adam and Kris before the decision.
America has spoken, and a new American Idol champ has been crowned. Kris Allen and Adam Lambert went into Wednesday night's finale of Idol with their lives ahead of them--Lambert was the heavy favorite heading in but there were certainly no shortage of Allen supporters. Without further ado, this year's American Idol champion is…
…Kris Allen. The smooth-singing Allen, from Conway, Arkansas, pulled one of the biggest upsets in Idol history when hype is factored in, but was the result really all that much of a shock? For much of the season, it was Lambert versus everyone else, and when Danny Gokey finished in third place, it's logical to believe the majority of his votes went to Allen as they share more artistic-DNA than Gokey and Lambert.
Questions will be asked all day by Idol fans about the validity of Fox's show and the mindset of the show's voters--the American people. Is the voting legit? Did America get it right? Do voters favor the "safe" contestant? And the million-dollar question: are Americans afraid to vote for a gay Idol? (To be clear, Lambert's sexuality has not yet been disclosed, but rumors have persisted all season.)
In the end, the real winner here is Simon Fuller's 19 Management, the artist management company that gets first pick of the American Idol contestants post-competition. There's no doubt that both Allen and Lambert will be groomed to have successful careers--Lambert is one of the most beloved runners-up and Allen has the title. But this result favors 19 Management better than a Lambert landslide. Lambert's popularity wasn't going to wane with a second-place finish, but Allen's could have. Now that Allen can be marketed as a "champion"--boom!--more album sales, and Lambert will do just fine as runner-up.
Just another day at the office for business genius Simon Fuller.
What are your thoughts on the results?
Comments (28)
It's all just opinion, right is subjective. As long as an electoral college was not involved, I'm okay with verified majority rules.
kris is thr best
Kris is a delightful, middle-of-the-road performer, and he'll do very well in his specialized genre, especially in the south. Adam, as Kris has noted, is a much greater singer and, therefore, poses a much greater problem. Where will he go as he can sing just about anything (perhaps his Country Week's "Ring of Fire" was not to everyone's liking, but this rather tongue-in-cheek - yet powerfully seductive performance - allowed us to see that he would remain true to himself - and on an AI-type venue almost recklessly brave). As I've noted elsewhere, one of my favorite performances was at the Upright Cabaret in pre-Idol days where he sang a haunting "I Can't Make You Love Me." Anyone who believes that he can't connect or does nothing but screech should take a listen. This is the performance that made me realize that Lambert is something much greater than Idol. Give it a try - all the best.moreless
YEAH THEY DID! ameriacn idol got it right and don't be thinking other wise! Kris was way better than adam or who ever that was!
of course America got it right .. kris is the best and he deserved to win
America got it right. My cat sounds better then Adam Lambert, honestly, my ears could only handle so much of Lambert's panging voice.
i belive that both of the contestants were deserving. I was shocked but not disappointed in the results. however I have heard many stories of people who called to vote for adam (contestant 1,3,5.) and the computer confirmed the vote for contestant number 2. so were the votes calculated correctly? i guess no one will ever know! and to comment on braigo64's comment, yes adam screams, but doesn't steven tyler? it's okay to scream when you can hit the note, unlike when Danny Gokey tried to do the aerosmith song and bombed with the screaming high note at the end. For the most part in American Idol land, the runners up have better careers than the winner(Daughtry!), so in my opinion its better not to win!
That's exactly what I thought... Chris needed to win to be noticed... Adam just needed to be in the auditions... BTW, I'm not saying Chris isn't good, on the contrary, he is very good, but could you honestly remember him after the Kiss & Adam performance if hi didn't win? I bet the answer's NO!
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They did not get it right!!!!!!!!!!!!! Adam should've won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nope. kris is the most undeserving winner of american idol since taylor hicks. or maybe ever.
Personally I don't think either one was worthy. The final two should have been Allison and Alexis..Allison was a phenom and Alexis should have gone farther. Idol was too caught up in the hype of the Twilight wannabe. Another crappy winner in Idol, only 2 real successes in all these seasons, Carrie & Kelly. Not a good record.
I never understood the fascination with Lambert. He screamed most of the last few songs he sang. It was awful. He did not deserve to be in the final. Thankfully America voted correctly.
Danny Gokey- is the best oneHopefully he would go on with his music- to benefit us all - with his AMAZING voice
Yes, America got it right.
Kisses KRIS deserves every bit of his title with his underestimated potentials, while ADAMs in the family deserves all the attention with his visual efforts. Adam rocked the world with his eyeliners and tougue. KRIS soothes the world with his guitar and heart. Adam evoked strongly and as expectedly. KRIS emerges with subtlety but unmistakably the world's American Idol.
yes defnately America got it right. Kris deserved to win.
Yes, America got it right. I loved Kris from the beginning and I would buy his CD in a heartbeat. Adam is a good singer too, but he should do musicals. I wouldn't buy a CD with all songs with him screaming. I'm very happy with Kris as the winner.
Lambert annoyed me with that awful emo look but yes the guy can belt out a song.To be honest i dont really care because i doubt ill buy either of there albums but if i had to id probably go with chris.
No they did not!!They both can sing obviously. But Adam was really a divers singer and he could do so much more with his voice than Kris.I was really surprised and in shock that Adam didn't win..I still can't believe it really
Yes, America got it right!
Either way, and I've said it before, Adam will come out as a winner whether he wins this or not. A lot of Idols that didn't make it down to the finish line have successful careers, and worldwide status. Adam has to be the most original contestant I've seen on that stage, and though his performance(episode 39)wasn't as good as the final results(episode 40), he's going to be huge!
The were both good in completely different ways. I think Kris one because his song styling was something more of what people are looking to buy as CDs, that's how I voted anyway. I voted who's CD I'd rather buy. Kris Allen definitely is someone who I think I could listen for years and not get tired of. While I like Adam, his style is something that can't last forever. He'll get old fast.
I was sure Adam was going to win, and was very excited when Kris one. I think throughout the season the Adam supporters were much louder. But for people like me who just turn in once it reaches the final 3 it was clear that Kris rocked the last two performances.
Yes Yes Yes! They both rock though.
Adam is talented, no argument there. He's got my vote and we all know he'll go on to bigger things. But is anyone really surprised that Kris - the all-american apple-pie cutie with the ever ready smile - managed to capture most of the public votes? I'm not.
I don't think they could have got it wrong this season. Regardless of sexuality they were all talented contestants, and with all the hype Adam's already gotten it was only fair that Kris got his due as well.
Down to the last two or three there's always talent to lament the 'loss' of, but I was leaning towards Adam for some time. If nothing else it's exposure, and what any of the contestants do with that exposure, not who won, is really important because people are already focusing on the next competition . . diversion.
I DEAMND A RECOUNT!!!!
Even if they did get it wrong, does it really matter? Idols have been great and busts. Adam will definitely get a contract. Either way, just getting on American Idol can do wonders for your career, even if you don't become the Idol. Ask Academy Award winning actress and formal idol Jennifer Hudson for a second opinion.