Underdog Kris Allen wins “American Idol”
San Diegans packed Copley Symphony Hall for the Idol finale, with cheers turning to tears.
Fans react to the news that Kris Allen had won "American Idol." (Photo: SDNN)
Kayla Powell, 13, dropped her jaws.
Diane Rohrbach, 53, held her hands to her chest.
Christina Burton, 9, said later she would cry.
When Kris Allen was declared the “American Idol” winner Wednesday, hundreds of Adam Lambert fans watching at San Diego’s Copley Symphony Hall fell silent in shock.
They were among the 250 or so fans who packed the hall for the season finale of the singing competition, which shot San Diego native Adam Lambert into the national limelight. Lambert was one of two final contestants in the show from a field of tens of thousands nationwide.
After a two-hour, star-studded blowout show, host Ryan Seacrest announced the winner: Kris Allen.
In all, nearly 100 million votes were counted, said Seacrest, handing the title to the stripped-down, folk-balladsy Christian from the small southern town.
The fans in the audience expressed shock and disappointment.
“It is horrible, I am so shocked,” said Sarah Edwards, 13, who had come with a sign saying “Adam is a sexy beast.”
“I felt devastated,” said Soloman Stovall-Ceja, 1o.”I really thought Adam should have won.”
“I’m gonna cry my tears out, I’m really sad,” said Burton, 9.
But they also saw the silver lining for Lambert’’s career.
“I guess it’s kinda good, because he won’t have to be on the Idol contract and he can do whatever he wants,” said Megan Edwards, 14.
“I think that Adam will still have a great career,” said Katie Silverstein, 13.
The San Diego event, which ran from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific standard time, took place during the live taping of the show in Los Angeles, which aired 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. East coast time. It is traditional for “American Idol” to feature live feeds of fans from the final contestants’ hometowns during the final show.
Just the night before, during the final singing competition, judge Simon Cowell said that if Adam Lambert did not win, it would be a “huge upset.” And it was.
“Adam should have come away as the American Idol,” said Rohrbach. “He was the best.”
People started waiting downtown at Copley as early as 11:30 a.m., forming a line outside the historic hall. According to Copley press officer Stephen Kougias, American Idol organizers had rented the hall, which featured gold vaulted ceilings and white-tuxedoed ushers, special for the event.
During the show, the audience was treated to knockout performances by guest singers, including Black-Eyes Peas, Queen Latifah, Keith Urban, Lionel Ritchie, Carlos Santana, Cyndi Lauper, Queen, Rod Stewart and even Steve Martin on banjo. They were accompanied in turns by the top 13 Idol finalists.
In the last few minutes of the show, the winner was announced, and it was all over. Seacrest called Allen the “underdog.”
Cheers turned to silence and dropped jaws. Then, fans started chanting, “Adam! Adam! Adam!”
But the feed ended and the screen went blank. But for Lambert fans who had followed him all season, the memory will remain.
“Adam deserved it way more, and we’ll always support him,” said Edwards.
Tags: SDNN
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Comment by: adamfan Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:21 pm
wow. i’m really shocked that adam lossed to kris. makes me sad. =[
Comment by: Lotuslady143 Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:23 pm
I am in spirit sharing the dissappointment of Adams fans around the world, it was truly a shock!!! I so broken hearted about the whole thing. I was thinking if I am feeling this way, what more with Adam? What started as a singing contest ended up as a gender contest. Adam Lambert fulfills the description of Star Idol while Kris Allen is singer like the rest. Unfortunately, they were so blinded about his glaring talent and his individuality. I expect more from America!
Comment by: Lotuslady143 Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:27 pm
I am in spirit sharing the dissappointment of Adams fans around the world, it was truly a shock!!! I so broken hearted about the whole thing. I was thinking if I am feeling this way, what more with Adam? What started as a singing contest ended up as a gender contest. Adam Lambert fulfills the description of Star Idol while Kris Allen is singer like the rest. Unfortunately, they were so blinded by their personal prejudices and wore dark glasses about his glaring talent and his individuality. I expect more from America!
Comment by: Amy Chramosta Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:34 pm
ADAM-
YOU ROCK. From the moment I first saw you I knew YOU are the winner of American Idol. You are incredible….
Thanks for making such beautiful music.
Comment by: Suzie Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:36 pm
I’m horrified. How could that unexciting, truly average, completely undeserving boy win over the powerhouse that is Adam Lambert?? Young, middle-American, religious, unsophisticated girls must have piled on the calls. It’s a shame. Shame on the audience.
Comment by: Natalie Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:46 pm
Hooray for Kris….you totally deserve it…..Adam is too over the top!
Comment by: Tom Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:47 pm
Get over it people. It’s just a friggin singing competition. Both of the finalists will have singing careers after the stupid show is over. It’s all just a big B.S. show to begin with.
Comment by: Natalie Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:52 pm
THE WORLD DESERVES KRIS ALLEN…….WE LOVE YOU KRIS!
Comment by: Courtney Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:55 pm
Congrats to Kris!!! I think he showed way more pop star quality than Adam. Don’t get me wrong, Adam has ridiculous incredible talent, but especially towards the end I felt like he was becoming a one trick pony throwing out the high notes. We all know he can sing them..but would you really want to listen to a CD that every song has that on it? Kris showed originality and versatility. I would buy his album in a heartbeat!! Congrats to both though! What a HUGE accomplishment!
Comment by: Natalie Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:56 pm
Tom you should have won….you’re amazing! Tom rocks!
Comment by: Sully Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:59 pm
As an adult who only watched the show because my daughters are obsessed, I must say I thought Adam Lambert was a much better singer, and performer. Kris doesn’t have a unique bone in his body, then again Adam might be too unique. In my opinion, people saw all the ‘weird’ pictures and stories about Adam and voted against him without really liking Kris. Either way, Adam will be on the top of the charts in the next month, I guarantee it.
Comment by: Amber Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:59 pm
hahaha…kris u deserve it!!
ADAM ur SCREAming isnt singing!!!!
u stinkkk!!!!
yayyayayayayyayayyayayayayy
Comment by: KatM Posted: May 20, 2009, 10:01 pm
Great singers, Adam and Kris!! I did vote for Kris, but if Adam would have won, no problem….both are very talented. Who’s next?
Comment by: Susan Posted: May 20, 2009, 10:10 pm
Yes, Adam Lambert is very talented and has a great vocal range………and that’s were Adam lost my support. His constant upper octave vocals made me weary quickly and it was necessary to change the channel. Kris Allen does seem to be an artist I could listen to and not become numb to.
Comment by: martina Posted: May 20, 2009, 10:11 pm
I am so glad kris won he is the one who is the most talented out of the 2! I am so glad he won I could not stand adam he reminded me of constantine how he would always stare into the camera like he wanted to molest you. yuck! and the way adam would stand up there when the judges would comment after he would sing he just looked like he was bored and they were wasting his time. can we say ego much! yay kris I think you are amazing! the right person won!!!!!
Comment by: JT Posted: May 20, 2009, 10:13 pm
I find it funny, all the talk of who deserves this and who deserves that. Our society has fooled itself into believing that people deserve to be famous. No one “deserves” to be famous, no more than someone “deserves” to win the lotto. In these types of situations the celebs/winners didn’t work any harder than most of the undiscovered/losers. It’s about being talented and lucky at the right time. Obviously, those who thought Adam should win were in the minority because Kris got the most votes. I think Gokey “deserved” to win more!
Comment by: peach617 Posted: May 20, 2009, 10:41 pm
That’s the way the cookie crumbles….good for K.A!!!! He’s soooo talented! Hmmm piano and guitar player…..and for Adam, he’s goodand he’ll get a contract, the last 5-10 people in AI get deals! Good luck guys
Comment by: Meredyth Posted: May 20, 2009, 10:50 pm
i think that both adam and kirs are great singers, i just see adam on broadway in his eyeliner and long coats and kris recording cd’s. i voted for kris and will DEFINITELY be buying his cd’s
Comment by: LA Posted: May 20, 2009, 11:11 pm
The winner shouldn’t be he who can scream the highest. Just because Adam can go high and loud, it doesn’t mean he’s more talented. Adam is a rocker. Kris has more versatility in his style. With time, when they both release songs after songs, people will realize that Kris will have a bigger fan base because of his singing style while Adam will have a specific rock-fan audience. I was hoping that Kris would win, although I have to admit, with the way the judges kept glorifying Adam all the way, I thought Adam would be the one. Go, underdog!
Comment by: Tragic Posted: May 20, 2009, 11:17 pm
You babies need to stop crying over Adam, AMERICA VOTED PEOPLE!!!! Kris deserved it. Bottom line, Adam is a super star. But that crooning got super played out. His best performance was prob “Mad World”. Kris is more musically inclined (guitar, piano, etc.). He just had more to offer. Not taking anything away from Adam, but I am not surprised. You people should have voted more for Adam! America voted, Kris deserved it!
Comment by: Rosey Posted: May 20, 2009, 11:39 pm
I prayed hard all night for Kriss. Did not know he was a Christain, but prayers were answered. American Idol chose an all Americn young man who depicks wholesome and moral demeanoer, unlike Adam. Adam would not represent, moral and wholesome young people. Thank you Lord for making the right choice for all American young people. Praise the Lord.
Comment by: rhapsy Posted: May 20, 2009, 11:55 pm
Adam was in a totally different league than the rest of the contestants. He had a natural, incredible talent. Chris Allen won because Danny Gokie’s leftover Christian voters weren’t going to vote for a homosexual. And that’s that. Adam should have won. However, Adam doesn’t need American Idol to be famous. He’s got it all. Chris Allen was, eh, cute and had a nice voice.
and before any Kris Allen fans yell at me for spelling Kris wrong, I just realized it, and I don’t feel like changing it.
Comment by: JT Posted: May 21, 2009, 12:09 am
OMG! Now Adam didn’t win because God conspired against him? Wow. I wonder why God didn’t choose the christian music minister who lost his wife, i.e. Danny Gokey? I guess God told Bush to declare war in Iraq as well. Too bad he didn’t tell him where the WMD’s were.
Comment by: neena Posted: May 21, 2009, 1:31 am
Unfortunately I can’t vote because I live in Canada but if I had the chance to, I would have voted for Adam 100 percent. I am in disbelief. Of course both singers are talented, to get to be the last two standing in the competition, of course you are, but Adam is a better singer and performer. Every week he stunned the audiences and excelled in every catergory, then how could he lose? Okay Kris sang that “heartless” which was great, but that was ONE song, Adam had many amazing performances and deserved the title…its a shame, especially that the same people can keep voting over and over, you should be allowed ONE VOTE.
Comment by: brett Posted: May 21, 2009, 6:51 am
i’ve never seen the show…i just hope karl rove didn’t have anything to do with the outcome.
do u think religion, phobia of someone ‘different’ and voting without a paper trail had anything to do with it?
Comment by: mangonyan Posted: May 21, 2009, 8:08 am
To people who say they hate Adam because he ’screams’. Well, even when he ’screams’, he does so with the shattering brilliance of a supernova. And you’re conveniently ignoring his soft, heartfelt takes on Mad World and Tracks of My Tears. What is Kris Allen but a good, more mediocre Jason Mraz? One Jason Mraz, is enough, thanks. Not bad a voice, not bad guitar skills - but ultimately, just ‘not bad’. Kris has got no dazzling star quality. If it’s a humble sweet lad u want as your idol - they’re dime a dozen humble nice men in your local supermarket. But there’s only one superstar like Adam Lambert.
Comment by: Donna Posted: May 21, 2009, 1:34 pm
It doesn’t matter who won and it is pretty clear that Adam is a far superior talent and singer than Kris. Even Kris acknowledged it when his name was announced. It is a popularity contest and Kris has tremendous sex appeal. He is also safe, mainstream and reflects the conservative attitudes of the Idol audience. The doors have been opened for Adam and as has been proven by Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson, winning idol isn’t nearly as important as true talent.
Comment by: Tanner Posted: May 21, 2009, 10:31 pm
Its about time some people from CALIFORNIA woke up and realized there are other places in the world other than sunny San Diego. Being from the beautiful state of Arkansas, I personally thought it was great that a TRUE man won Idol. Go Kris, and good luck!
Comment by: Commenter Posted: May 23, 2009, 9:28 am
Actually its a good thing Adam didnt win. That song written for the American Idol was horrible and may not have made any money. I wouldnt want my name on that song..
Comment by: Patti Ross Posted: May 24, 2009, 6:12 pm
After a few days have gone by it just becomes more apparent how absurd it is that Kris Allen won American Idol. As Simon said, you’re just not memorable. All his interviews are boring and uninspired while Adam’s have a life of their own and electrify the people around him. When you hear from the other idols, you can see how much they appreciated his contribution & help in their journey to the top, Kris included. Kris is a sweet kid and will make a nice little record. Adam will make history!!! I hope they change the voting system to allow just one vote per phone line. That way the true American Idol would have a more fair chance to win. Not because “the teenage mafia” or other agenda based groups rallied their troops to vote for 4 hours. I’m from CO by the way Tanner and Adam has a ton of class so take the plank out of your eye.
Comment by: Patti Ross Posted: May 24, 2009, 6:16 pm
It was a singing competition… not an I sing ok, play guitar ok and play some piano ok competition!
Comment by: Ashley Posted: May 28, 2009, 8:43 pm
I’m happy Kris won. I didn’t like Adam that much, but unlike some of you guys who are acting ridiculously, I’m not going to slam Adam. Everyone has different taste, so there really is NO need to slam Kris or Adam. Why can’t we all just agree they are BOTH talented. Because complaining is doing no one any good.
Comment by: Tanner Posted: June 1, 2009, 8:20 pm
Patti Ross, if I want to hear something scream I can watch a cat in a fight. I took the plank out of my eye and I feel better now.
Comment by: Adam Lambert timeline birthday photo gallery cake SDNN Posted: January 27, 2010, 7:11 am
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