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"How Adam Lambert didn't win American Idol - anatomy of Kris Allen's surprising win"
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How Adam Lambert didn't win American Idol - anatomy of Kris Allen's surprising win
His face was on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. His name was on the back of Katy Perry’s cape. His performances were praised to high heavens by the judges, week after week.
And he just lost American Idol.
Right now, Adam Lambert probably feels the same way Tom Brady did after Super Bowl XLII or Thomas Dewey after the 1948 presidential election. His Idol victory seemed just as pre-ordained as the New England Patriots’ perfect season or the Chicago Tribune’s infamous “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline. And yet, here we are, at the end of the night, wondering how Kris Allen managed to pull off the upset of a lifetime.
Here’s how.
Going into the finale, there was talk of “red state-blue state” politics at work, with Lambert’s painted fingernails, “guyliner,” and uncertain sexuality against Allen’s down-home, churchgoing sensibilities. Given the current political climate, that matchup appeared to favor Lambert, but a number of blue-state types may be “too cool” for Idol’s mass appeal, and unlikely to vote.
Still, it was music, not politics, that got Lambert and Allen to the finals, and while Lambert’s performances attracted headlines, Allen’s more understated style put him in position for the upset.
For all of Lambert’s hype, there were nights when his risks didn’t pay off. And when Lambert missed the mark, he missed by a wide margin. His performance of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” was termed “absolute indulgent rubbish” by Simon Cowell, and when he tackled Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild,” Cowell acknowledged that he could see where people would hate it. Even on critically-lauded performances like U2’s “One” and Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” his penchant for rearranging a melody to show off his range stood to rub viewers the wrong way. Lambert seemed to understand the problem, and chose his unassailable take on Tears for Fears’ “Mad World” for his encore performance Tuesday, but when it came to alienating viewers, the damage was done.
By contrast, when Allen’s risks didn’t pay off, they didn’t hurt him as much. Sure, his horn-heavy arrangement of Don Henley’s “All She Wants to Do is Dance” fell flat, but it didn’t have the same potential to offend as Lambert’s missteps. And, when Allen stripped down Kanye West’s “Heartless” to its bare acoustic bones last week, it gave him the boost he needed to overtake early favorite Danny Gokey.
Gokey’s elimination provided the final key to Allen’s victory. For all the musical differences between Allen and Gokey, their personalities have a similar appeal. Both are worship directors at their respective churches, and have the same well-documented “Middle America” appeal. That church background also came in handy when it came time to sing the coronation song, “No Boundaries.” Panel member Kara DioGuardi, who co-wrote the song, may not have wanted to judge Allen on it because of the range, but thematically, it was right in his wheelhouse. When Allen took his turn with the annual ode to overcoming obstacles and persevering, you could almost hear the church choir in the background, a la “I Believe I Can Fly,” spiritual ancestor of every Idol winner’s debut single. With Gokey gone, Allen had the best hold on the spirit of the song…and on the spirit of Idol’s viewership.
Of course, in the long run, all this might not mean much. Lambert’s devoted following will serve him well on the charts, while it remains to be seen just how much momentum Allen will carry from his victory. Still, while the future may belong to Adam Lambert - and the past almost certainly does - this moment, for better or worse, belongs to Kris Allen.
Primetime Oprah?
I have nothing at all against gay people, and Adam is very talented, it's just he didn't have the right "image". Don't get me wrong, Adam will have a more successful career than Kris - because of his voice.
Like come on, how many people that have won american idol do you ACTUALLY hear on the radio? Two. Jordin Sparks and Kelly Clarkson - BARELY.
The thing is everyone thought Adam would win just because, but did anyone take the time out to stay up the 4 hours and vote for him? Just because you think something ids gonna happen doesn't mean it will. Kris fans are ruthless and we made Kris the next Idol because we don't need another Scream Queen. They're already making a Scream 4, we don't need a gay Scream Queen too. If Kris was gay Perez would be praising him. Like birds of a feather all the queers fuck together.
im from australia…. it pi$$ed me off that Kris won. I think that if they are going to screen this world wide, then everyone should get the chance to vote… nothing worse than watching a competition you have no chance to vote for
It's better that Adam didn't come in 1st place. He's going to get a record deal no matter what, but he won't have the constraints that are placed upon the winner. Hopefully he'll be able to have more of a say in his album. I don't think the winner of AI really has that because they're beholden to the show. For the record, Adam's rendition of One was atrocious. He totally butchered that beautiful song.
he lost because he suck. Kris obviously could sing better. it wasn't surprising
he lost because he isn't good as singing. It was not a surprise that Kris won.
he lost because he wasn't good. Kris' win was not a surprise. and the reference to the Patriots is a little inappropriate.
sore loser sore loser sore loser
i'm so tired of this shit.
give kris his due. be gracious. congratulate him.
Who wrote the article?
Once again, just because you use eyeliner etc doesn't mean you are gay. People that assume something based on appearences are so ignorant they deserve to be taken into a field and shot. And AGAIN, even if you hated anything Adam did they fact is that he is a STAR. You can't help but pay attention to him when you see him no matter what. That is what a true star is. Wake up. The reason he didn't win Idol is because HE DIDNT NEED IDOL in the first place. Kris was given it because he needed the endorsements and breaks. He will be forgotten in 4 months time. Watch and see. ADAM LAMBERT IS A TRUE STAR and those jealous people speaking against him will see just how wrong they were.
Adam Lambert is a douche. Who would want to listen to an entire album of his vocal wanking? Do people really think that sounding like an 80's glam rocker is what they'd like to listen to?
Kris Allen sux arse too. Allison was where it's at.
The rest can suk it.
I don't think his being gay has anything to do with it. I agree it was the one two punch of Kris's versatility, smooth voice and a penchant to tell a simple, beautiful story…and Danny's voters heading Kris' direction over Adams. Both have a wonderful future ahead. I always said that I would pay through the nose to see Adam in concert but I would probably buy and have on repeat Kris' albums. And I think they would both agree with everything (you) and I just said.
Re: ashurii_giru – ONCE AGAIN>>>LEARN TO READ WHAT IS WRITTEN, NOT WHA YOU DECIDE TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES. NOT WHAT I SAID FUCKTARD!
I don't see why people are so upset about him losing. He doesn't have to do what the show tells him to do. He's free to do what he wants.
Isn't that a good thing?
I don't care what you say, I'm gay and I voted for Kris a million times. If I was into an 80's hairband come back then I would have probably voted for Lambert. Hes tacky and I hate him. Maybe I fall into the Log Cabin demographic but please there's only so much glitter and eyliner I can take. Gross. Girlfriend get a stylist. You looked cuter as a blond in your HS video.
ADAM SHOULD HAVE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG. everyone needs to drop this!!
Kris won. PERIOD and if it bothers anyone then fuck don't watch and support the show anymore
poser=loser. simple.