A lot of people were stunned when Ryan Seacrest announced that Kris Allen was the next American Idol — including Kris Allen. In fact, the 23-year-old singer from Arkansas actually apologized for winning, telling the audience that his competitor, Adam Lambert, really deserved to win. And in the wake of Kris’ victory, many dissatisfied American Idol fans said the same thing.
Maybe those dissatisfied fans should take a closer look at Kris Allen. Sure, there are lots of theories that people have dreamed up to explain his victory: He captured the voters who had supported bespectacled crooner Danny Gokey; conservative viewers were alarmed by Adam’s ambiguous sexuality; Adam’s fans were so sure he’d win that they didn’t vote. But maybe the reason for Kris’ victory is simpler than that — maybe he won because he’s talented.
Kris Allen Can Sing, Dawg
As Randy Jackson so often reminded Idol viewers, the show is a singing competition. And Kris Allen is an excellent singer. No, he’s not an energetic showman like Adam Lambert, but Kris has a different kind of charisma. He emotionally connects to both his song and his audience, and his voice is smooth and effortless. Not convinced? Take another listen to “Heartless” or “Falling Slowly” or “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
And yet, throughout the season, Idol painted Kris as the unlikely underdog while presenting a final showdown between Adam and Danny as a foregone conclusion. Kris gave quality performances week after week, but the judges still refused to acknowledge him as a front-runner — even when he made the final two. And why? Just because Kris’ talent isn’t in-your-face doesn’t mean it's not there.
Don’t Cry for Adam Lambert
Of course, the fact that Kris Allen won American Idol does nothing to diminish Adam Lambert’s achievements. Adam is a true star. He never faltered in his talent or creativity, and the audience could always look forward to his performances because they were sure to be outstanding. You may not care for his performance style, but you can’t deny his vocal power or charisma.
There is no one else like Adam Lambert in the music world right now. He didn’t need to win American Idol to become a star. He was already a star before he came on the show, and now that he’s been discovered, he’s going to be a superstar on his own terms. And as he and Kris move on to become successful musicians, American Idol fans can look forward to discovering new stars next season.
