Phil Stacey blog: 2009's 'American Idol' winner is crowned

Kris Allen, the ultimate underdog, has made one of the biggest comebacks in television history!  After 620 million votes, 19 weeks, 100,000 auditions, an extra judge and a bikini girl, Kris Allen is your new American Idol.  The All-American, married boy next-door defeated the glammed-out, leather-clad rocker and is now the eighth champ in the "Idol" kingdom.  Although Adam was an early favorite with his huge vocals and in-your-face style and confidence, Kris Allen never gave up and came from obscurity in the early rounds to win it all.  I am shocked but think America made the right choice! 

Before the results were given, both Adam and Kris highlighted their polar-opposite stylings in perfect fashion.  Kris paired up with Keith Urban and gave us a radio-worthy version of "Kiss A Girl."   I think this performance is exactly why he is the American Idol.  Even with Keith Urban on the stage with him, the song sounded like it should be on his album. 

Adam gave us a bigger-than-life collaboration with Kiss, platform boots and space shoulder pads and all.  It was everything you want from Adam.

As one last gift to the "Idol" fans, both guys joined together for what we have been waiting for all season -- Adam singing with Queen, "We Are the Champions."  And surprisingly, Kris holding his own! 

As always, the three minutes it took to give us the results were crammed at the end of a two-hour celebrity binge of self-promotion, an opportunity I wouldn't pass up but is admittedly annoying.  Highlights included Kara DioGuardi showing up Bikini Girl in a vocal duel and then adding salt to the wounds by stripping down to a bikini as an inside joke/charity bet among the judges and Ryan.  The Top 13 had lots of face time with each Idol getting at least one feature spot -- something my season did not get.  Oh well.

Norman Gentle and Tatiana made encore appearances accepting their Golden Idols.  Weren't we to believe that they were supposedly legit contenders?  Well Norman Gentle's return did make me smile!

Tomorrow the real work begins for Kris and the rest of the crew.  They are joining the real world of the music industry and will start doing everything they can to parlay this amazing experience of "American Idol" into a huge life-long career.  But I hope each of them savors tonight as a very special moment in their lives.  I want to give my congratulations to Kris and all his fans.  He is a worthy Idol and I am truly excited for his CD.  Adam and his fans should also be very proud.  He is a superstar in his own right and we will be seeing lots from him. 

Thanks for sharing Idol with me this season and until next year, please keep in touch on Facebook, twitter and www.philstacey.com.  And don’t forget to check out my new album, "Into the Light" on Aug. 25.   Peace out and be blessed!

-- Phil Stacey

Comments

[HappyStamper]

I am so happy for Kris. I think both of these guys were extremely talented and both deserved to win. I think they will both do very well in their given genre of music. I am a country gal but will buy a Kris Allen album out the day it comes out just like I did yours Phil's. I enjoyed your debut and can't wait for the 2nd one in August! Thanks for all your comments on this years Idol. I loved reading your comments! Blessings to you!

[cindy]

Adam should have been the winner, sorry but Adam is a world apart from Kris, when Kris sang I fast forward it. Adam can really really sing, and he should have won. Cindyrsdu

[Ex Idol Fan]

Kris = Taylor Hicks. Adam will be a superstar.

[Andre]

You were rooting for Kris? No wonder, you are both Christians, you would never root for a homosexual no matter how good he is.

In retrospect it s no surprise Kris won - people like you and the Wal-Mart vote handed him the victory. My consolation is that I truly believe Adam will have a career and Kris won't.

[mo pat]

absolute rubbish.americans have proven themselves to be idiots and wasted a perfectly golden opoortunity on a mediocre singer.after 8 seasons, this will my last watching of this show that crowns non-talent over real singers.americans suck at voting.i mean they voted for BUSH TWICE!!!

[joseph]

Be blessed? Phil Stacey showed his bias. Adam was a better performer and better singer. Kris could not sing "No Boundaries." He did not have the range and he was off key. It was similar to when Diana DeGarmo messed up against Fantasia Barrino. The only excuse for this mediocre singer to win was a backlash against Adam because he wore makeup and belted songs. It left many doubting his sexuality. Even Chris Daughtry put him down recently. FOX news and every conservative radio and news program criticized him because of his ambiguously sexuality. The worse of it is that many could not get through to vote for Adam. Read all the blogs. People are upset and want to boycott American Idol. I for one think Kris is the WEAKEST singer ever to win. There was not contest. He even acknowledged it. So as far as Phil Stacey is concerned where can I find your single or album nobody bought because you are not much of a singer either.

[Trish]

I usually don't follow American Idol but through other venues, got glimpses of the final contenders. I prefer Adam because of his prowess in vocal strength, personality, vocal range, maturity, etc. This kind of competition is hard because it comes down to personal preference. Kris is great but Adam showed up stronger in interpreting the immense range that is needed to become the superstar in developing one's own niche. That is the hardest thing - to be unique and I think that Adam will have a better chance of being his own self in the future and a great artist. That is not say, however, that Kris won't develop his own talent and do the same. I wish them both the greatest of luck.

[Kelly]

Kris does not even compare to Adam talent-wise. He is good, but not amazing. Adam is amazing and leaves me in awe everytime he sings. There were too many little girls voting for Kris because they thought he was cute. It was one of the most disappointing Idol moments. I think the judges faces said it all, and the show would have been raised to another level had Adam won.

[Ryan J. M.]

How sad that in a talent show like American Idol, being cute could win over amazing talent.

No wonder America has lost it's position as a global leader. In a singing and talent contest, america (small a) votes for a cute not so talented Cris rather than Adam, the clear winner with amazing talent. Adam was edgy and America is still paralyzed in it's own mediocrity not ready to get over itself. Wake up american Idiots your pulling the rest of us down!!!

[Kelly]

Kris does not even compare to Adam talent-wise. He is good, but not amazing. Adam is amazing and leaves me in awe everytime he sings. There were too many little girls voting for Kris because they thought he was cute. It was one of the most disappointing Idol moments. I think the judges faces said it all, and the show would have been raised to another level had Adam won.

[chhouk rin]

I'm definitely........=......absolutely.........delighted for My Superb Kris that he could reach his goal................yeah! I also think that Adam is coool, but Kris is still much better coz he is really fantastic on the stage.................Let's say the king of romantic guy. I DO LOVE U SO MUCH Krist

[Janice Johnson]

I am in shock! Even though I don't agree with the lifestyle of Adam, he definatlely out performed everyone in this season. He should have won. Sorry Kris, you are a very talented young man, but Adam really is an entertainer and should have won.

[Surreal]

I think this is the beginning of the end of American Idol. Same as last year, the best talent left in second place. It looks like America prefer looks than talent. America wants to see the white guy, green eyes even if he can't sing better than the best. Same happened to Archuletta and now to Adam, this is sad. I am not watching this fraud next year.

[Wth its stupid now]

Worst season ever, its just going down hill. They all sounded terrible when they sang others songs tonight. It was pitifull

[Chris]

There's a simple way for Adam fans who bought tickets to the summer Idol tour to show their displeasure. Since Kris won, he will perform last, Adam will be next to last as the runner-up. When Adam finishes his set, just get up and walk out.

[Louis]

Adam is so clearly a more talented singer that you would have to be a complete moron to vote for Kris. I'll never watch Idol again--it's a joke.

[Natalie]

ADAM is the winner!

[Ed C.]

Both have won. But the real winner is Kris. Adam will get a record deal eventually.

So...both sides will be happy.

[Fergielady]

We were so disappointed that Chris won. I've watched each season since the beginning of Idol, and this finale was truly a downer. Chris is cute, has an "okay" voice and has the appeal that teenie boppers adore. I called my vote in for Adam over 20 times last night, and realized that four hours of voting is entirely too much time. If I could vote 20 times in 20 minutes what could an able-thumbed pre-teen accomplish in four hours? I don't see Chris' career having the staying power that Adam and Danny Gokey will have. Danny's voice is unique and beautiful and I hope to enjoy his music for years to come - Adam will rise to stardom and will delight, enchant and amaze us during what I think will be an illustrious career.

[eisdogg]

Reality is simple...two different genres, two different talents...two different styles. Both were valiant contenders and were not compatible (competitively) in terms of their strengths....bottom line is that either Adam or Kris could've won, and hopefully both will make it big in the long run. It's a matter of preference. Absolutely, this was the first time you had a final where two different competitors both had a valid chance of establishing a long term music career. Forget any potential controversy...appreciate legitimate talent in both competitors who are, in reality, impossible to compare based on the genres they present.

The only thing alll will agree upon...the finale song sucked, written by the judge who made us sick all season long.

[Dave]

You guys are all idiots. Adam lost fair and square and not because of homophobia. The last three contestants were Lambert, Allen, and Gokey. Let's estimate for the sake of argument that they each split the fan base close to evenly, each having 1/3, 1/3, and 1/3. When Gokey was voted off it is HIGHLY LIKELY that the Gokey fans quickly began voting for Kris, since Kris's style and background are much like Gokey's. This would give Kris 2/3 to Adam's 1/3 of the AI fan base. Kris would easily win if he pulled most of Danny Gokey's former fans. Do the simple math people and stop blaming the loss on homophobia!

[stephanie]

I love Adam! So bummed! At least it didn't go to Gokey, he was really boring. I think Kris will have a great career, but Adam would have been the most qualified for idol. Maybe I am biased becasue I love Zeppelin and Queen....he can nail those vocals with that rocker flair. Love Adam. He is the reason I am going to the American Idol tour. Never thought I would say that, lol.

[SoCalGal]

Uh, Phil...please feel free to delete the haters' posts above. So juvenile.

[Mariyas]

CONGRATULATIONS, AMERICA!
Just shows the tweens of America are no better than their elders who voted BUSH twice. While that caused America to be the laughing stock of the world, this shows its ignorance.
The WINNERS are votes of HATE, votes to spite, votes to bring down the deserving, votes against talent, votes of ignorance, votes of homophobia, votes of prejudice, bias and bigotry.
Add votes of alienation due to AI judges, Katy Perry, EW Cover and bigoted fans.
Though the judges' praise of ADAM is deserving, it backlashed.
They should have taken into consideration the feelings of other fans.
Hell hath no fury like fans scorned.
This is a number competition. It doesn't necessarily mean Kris has more fans. Fans of other contestants simply voted against ADAM. What's overwhelming are votes of HATE.
Congrats Tweens! Congrats Danny's fans! Congrats Vote For The WORST - you won.
This is NOT a singing competition, NOT of talent, NOT of the best, NOT of popularity why ADAM is robbed BIG TIME of being acknowledge for his genius.
No matter, he is on his way to SUPERSTARDOM. The world is waiting for him.
If only the international fans could vote, this travesty will not happen.
This AI 8 Season is hate and bigotry votes against ADAM.
ADAM is too big for AI. He is The WORLD'S IDOL.
GO ADAM!!!

[RW]

What a joke ... average boy Kris wins due to popularity when Adam has sang circles around him all season!!! How about crowning some one with a little life versus a oh-so-ran singer ... in the long run, Adam will shine and be a major hit while Kris will make nice records for his southern teeny bopper crowd