America Gets It Wrong: Kris Allen Wins 'Idol'
Hello, readers...I can't believe I'm actually typing these words--in capslock format, yet--but here goes...
KRIS ALLEN IS THE NEW AMERICAN IDOL.
Now, my regular readers know I am extremely crushed--CRUSHED!--by this news. I might have been rooting for Bo Bice in season 4 and Blake Lewis in season 6, but their respective defeats were much easier for me to take (and much more expected) than this shocking setback.
Adam Lambert was my unabashed early favorite the instant I saw a viral video of him glamming and hamming it up in a Hollywood rock band wearing vaccum-packed pleather pants and some sort of bizarre man-corset. Back then, I jadedly assumed he wouldn't even make the top 13, because his theatrical antics--along with those much-discussed Interweb JPEGs of him floating around--would likely alienate much of America. But soon it seemed like none of that "scandalous" stuff mattered much to the viewing public, and Adam subsequently kept getting voted through based on his TALENT.
I started to believe that there was a subtle cultural shift going on in this country. I mean, if a black, Democratic president could be elected in 2008, then surely a black-nail-polished, androgynous Idol could win in 2009, right? Yes he could!
Well, that did not happen. In perhaps the biggest upset in AmIdol history, the competition's darkest dark horse, the little contestant that could, the tortoise to Adam's hare--Kris Allen--took home the Idol title tonight.
But you know, maybe it wasn't such an "upset" after all. Maybe it was foolish of me to think that a copiously mascara'd, leather-sheathed, rock-operatic free spirit from Southern California could actually beat out a clean-cut, happily married church worship leader from Arkansas who kind of looks like Joey from Friends.
Then again...maybe Adam's defeat had NOTHING to do with any sort of liberal/conservative, guyliner/guy-next-door cultural divide after all. Maybe it was just all the over-the-top weekly hype surrounding Adam that created an unfortunate but inevitable backlash--especially the judges' blatant favoritism, which even I will admit was a bit much and would have bothered me a lot if I hadn't so wholeheartedly agreed with the judges or personally found Adam so uniquely deserving of such fawning. But perhaps Lambertmania turned off a lot of other voters, or made voters assume that Adam didn't "need" this victory as much as underdog Kris did.
Whatever the reason, I don't want Allen fans to think I have anything against Kris. I believe Kris is talented and authentic, and I'm glad he made it to the finale instead of any number of other contestants (like Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre, Anoop Desai--but NOT Allison Iraheta, whom I adored). I think Kris was a worthy opponent for Adam. I just don't think he deserved to WIN.
I honestly think America (or, more specifically, America's Danny Gokey fans, who possibly defected to Kris's side after Gokey left and effectively bridged that million-vote gap between Adam and Kris) got it very wrong here.
I will just take solace in the fact that a) Adam Lambert will get a record deal anyway; b) not winning may allow Adam to have more creative control over his debut album, and thus he'll release more genuinely freak-flag-flying material; c) Adam won't have to release that insipid "No Boundaries" as his first single; and d) Adam will probably outsell Kris in the long run.
Feel free to post your comments about the season 8 winner now, and let me know if you think Adam was robbed or if the right singer prevailed tonight.
But Adam will make it and we will see Kris go into his own venue. They got it wrong with Clay Aiken and Rueben altho both good singers, Clay was the better one......now you barely see Rueben around.
But In good heartedness I wish Kris the best. And ADAM Bring it on ............we are here fo ryou
Rain
Never underestimate the voting power of America's Pre-Pubescent, Adolescent, and Pre-Adult female demographic groups. They've already seen a favorite of theirs get defeated last season (David Archuleta), and they'll be damned if they let their favorite this season (Kris Allen) get defeated again
1) i am 29 years old
2) i hated archie last year. i voted for cook from the beginning.
3)don't be a sore loser.
Adam should have won.
Allison and Cyndi Lauper were amazing.
Lionel Richie is a brilliant singer/songwriter.
Love Adam's "Beth," the guy can do ANYTHING.
Love me some Paul Stanley and Keith Urban.
Adam should have won.
Is Queen Latifah still on Jenny Craig?
Why didn't they give Adam/Kris Mustangs?
Adam should have won.
Mod Rod has seen better days but he's still got a little something.
Alexis looked like she rather be having a root canal.
Adam should have won.
Matt was in great form.
Anoop brought it too.
Adam should have won.
But that is kind of the exact reason why he won, wasn't it?
Humble will always triumph over those that expect to win, and I hate to say it, but all the press coverage of Adam already being on the cover of magazines and having Katy Perry fawn over him..that doesn't help someone. at all.
Did anyone actually think that Kris was a better singer or more talented than Adam...? I doubt it...
So girls and boys out there here is my advise to you, pullout your Boys Scott outfit from your grandmothers attic, wear sensible shoes and make sure everyone knows that you are a goody two shoe.. Act shy and act often...!
Anyways, I will buy every record and CD from Adam and will enjoy his success and his creativity over the years.He will be an icon.
Meanwhile I am hoping Kris will have a good time in Disneyland with mikey Mouse , and in Sesame Street with Elmo and his friends...! Sesame Street loves Kris...
can stomach Kris instead of the screaming, plain and simple.
I feel ALL the hype of Adam made many of us all fed up by the finale with feeling force fed Adam and that is why he didn't get the votes of us who were already feeling it was overkill now.
I feel it's a great lesson in modesty and remember NEVER to count your chickens before they hatch, in other words never speak too soon on such as this that you'll end up eating crow later for it. The thing I like the most on Kris is his real modesty.
May Kris continue to have success, that would be the best suprise of it all. Happy for him, he can pay for his college education now without any debt or worry after,etc..and to anyone that is waiting for Danny's cd, it is in the works. He was interviewed after the show on the local channel here. It won't be long for anyone waiting for that to come out now. He looked happy and relieved he can be himself again, so it's good.He said anyone can check myspace and twitter for his updates, he plans to keep anyone interested in his plans further He said. Glad for him to have gone this far now.
Adam always has the theater to fall back on if he needs to
now. He would be ideal for such as Cats, Labryinth, etc. after this all cools down as they tend to after the season and tour.He can forseeably be a live show draw for many I feel.
Tatiana was actually amusing tonight in my seeing that portion., I only saw her time on stage and the end results really.I never cared for her drama, funny as Adam was drama filled the more the show seemed to focus on him as well.
Regardless of how this went, I'm Relieved it's back to usual now. I feel we can all exhale until the next season. From this time I see not to dwell on this any and check out vftw instead . They are not as biased and not as upset over the results there.It is more amusing so at least I discovered to go to that now. Peace out, as I feel most take this way too seriously here.