With almost 100 million votes tallied, Kris Allen defeated front-runner and judges' favorite Adam Lambert to become the 'American Idol' season 8 winner.
The 23-year-old student from Conway, Ark. was so stunned by the surprise outcome, he was almost speechless. But he did manage to thank his fans. "You guys are the reason that all of us are here," he said.
American Idol' Season 8 Results
May 13, 2009: Danny Gokey Is Eliminated
"Danny Gokey should have been in the final two, not only in the final two but he should be the winner in my book.With his fantastic voice he will achieve super stardom anyway!!!! I will buy his first CD."
-- betty
Fox
May 13, 2009: Danny Gokey Is Eliminated
"I think voting Danny off tonight was the right thing. He was just getting kind of 'stale' in my opinion."
Fox
May 13, 2009: Danny Gokey Is Eliminated
"I have voted for Kris throughout this contest. I am so happy he made it. He may be the upset winner in the finals. I hope so. He is a really good guy."
-- Sandra
Fox
May 13, 2009: Danny Gokey Is Eliminated
"Folks if you don't see talent in Adam then you should have your head examined. Danny was voted off not because of his talent but because of his looks. He just does not look the part ... Adam is by far the better singer of all of them. Adam will hit the charts just like Carrie Underwood. He will go far."
-- fburr4054
Fox
May 13, 2009: Danny Gokey Is Eliminated
"It was time for Danny to go. He had yet to blow me away, was extremely similar to Taylor Hicks, and just can't hold up against the force that is Adam. Looks like Kris Allen may be the dark horse though."
-- o'donnell_w
Fox
May 13, 2009: Danny Gokey Is Eliminated
"Danny Is the best singer on IDOL and was consistent every week ... But he will have more options now..sell millions. Kris got the tweener votes ... he had a few good weeks vocally I think he will get the Danny votes and probably win."
-- Lee
Fox
May 13, 2009: Danny Gokey Is Eliminated
Justice HAS been served. Gokey totally blew it and Kris Allen has earned the right to fight for the win. Go Kris!"
-- sandy
Fox
May 6, 2009: Allison Iraheta Is Eliminated
"For the first time this season I was really upset by the vote. Hopefully Allison will put out a cd soon! It looks like I'm going to have to jump on the Adam bandwagon now."
-- William
Fox
May 6, 2009: Allison Iraheta Is Eliminated
"I was really hoping to not see an Allison :-( face tonight.. Danny should have gone based on last night's performance."
Fox
May 6, 2009: Allison Iraheta Is Eliminated
"Danny stays....aaaarrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhh."
-- @teechabc
Fox
Over the course of the season, Adam wowed viewers and the judges with his technical prowess, showmanship and interpretations of songs like 'Mad World,' 'Tracks of My Tears' and 'Ring of Fire.' In Tuesday night's finale, Simon Cowell declared him to be "one of the best and most original contestants we have ever had. You are a star." And Simon repeatedly declared on talk shows like 'Ellen DeGeneres' that Adam would take the 'Idol' title.
Meanwhile, underdog Kris flew under the radar until a breathtaking rendition of 'Ain't No Sunshine' during the Top 9 week. He began to get more notice with performances of 'Falling Slowly,' 'She Works Hard for the Money' and 'Heartless.'
And in a similar fashion to last year, when Simon tabbed David Archuleta as the winner and then hedged his bets in the finale results show, he told both contestants tonight that "I thought you were both brilliant. Unusually, incredibly nice people. And I think both of you should be very proud of what you achieved last night and the future's all yours."
The finale results show was packed with performances by the Top 13 finalists, including the usual duets, like Allison Iraheta with Cyndi Lauper and Danny Gokey with Lionel Richie.
But the most eyebrow-raising pairing (and the one that got the Twitterverse chattering) was when "Bikini Girl" (aka Katrina Darrell) made an encore -- with nemesis Kara DioGuardi. At the end, the judge unbuttoned her dress and flashed her own bikini.
After appearances by infamous contestants Nick Mitchell (aka "Norman Gentle") and Tatiana del Toro, the show got down to business. The Top 2 finally teamed up to sing together -- alongside the band Queen, no less.
The song? 'We Are the Champions.' How fitting.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 195)
I was around when Elvis was in the same position as Adam...and I heard them say he would not last, either. 'Nuff said.
Glad to see Kris win.....he is by far the most talented musician on the show this year. Adam will do his thing and we'll see them both around for quite a while.
I'll have to admit....after reading some of the comments from people knocking Kris, I have to wonder how many are musicians. Not many, judged on their ignorance.
Kris will be a force in the music business....and I mean "music", not that Kayne West, hip-hop crap that requires zero talent.
I am proud to say that between Adam and Kris....I have never heard of either one of these assholes. Let's face it, all of you American Idol zombies are fucking idiots who don't know real music if it were to walk up and bite you in the arse.
Good night!
the fact that adam did not win is a statement about our country. he was clearly the front runner, and most talented on the show the entire season. adam is the one whose name will heard for years to come, the guy is a star. kris will be another pretty good singer who fades away.
Well, I really do believe that Adam is more talented but Kris is clearly less intimidating. It was like comparing Robert Plant to James Taylor this year. I guess each has an audience but Mr. Plant's place in music history is much more secure. I think Adam has that opportunity as well. Good luck to both but I can't wait to see what Adam does next.
Thats insulting to Elvis to even think Adam can compair...talk about exageration. nuff said!
Comparing any "American Idol" contestant to Elvis Presley is ASININE.
Kris totally deserves to be the winner and is a great singer. Adam on the other hand I cannot believe he even got up to the top 13 because all he does is yell the songs. Sorry but you can't be considered "creatively artistic" when all you songs are the same exact thing. Bye bye Adam HELLOOO Kris
Mike....
Vocal range Adam wins
Character Adam wins
Stage presence Adam wins
Adam can sing anything.
He rocked the KISS song and carried Kris on the Queen song.
Enough said.