Kris Allen: The ultimate interview, Part Two

In the second part of this four-part interview with winner Kris Allen, the "American Idol" winner talks about auditioning for the show and the experience of using the bathroom in between Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. Read Part One here.

When did you start watching “American Idol”?

My wife and I don’t have a TV, so it was hard to keep up. But I was living with my mom last year around the time they were down to the Top Five of Season Seven and I started watching. And once you start watching “American Idol,” you really get into it. I didn’t know if I cared who won. It was interesting to watch and see what everyone was going to do. It’s a great show. And it catches you.

Had you seen some episodes here and there before that?

I had. I started watching Season Six. A friend made it to Hollywood but didn’t go any further. His name was Sean Michel and it was cool to watch someone like him. He’s got this beard that’s down to here and long, long hair. An amazing voice though, and he kind of wowed people. It was cool to see someone from Arkansas make it to Hollywood.

Did you get a chance to talk to him about his experience?

Yes, we did a couple shows together.

Were you encouraged or discouraged to audition after talking to Sean?

I don’t know if it encouraged me. It was cool to hear someone from Arkansas being a singer/songwriter and doing his thing to make it a little bit on the show. When I think about it, it is inspiring to have someone like him who is very different have success on the show.

When did you decide to audition for “Idol”?

My brother wanted to audition and he said I should come with him. I didn’t have anything else to do. This was in July of ’08. Me and my friend [Cale Mills] and my brother were just going to have a road trip. We got to Louisville and there were 12,000 people standing outside and we were the very last ones to pull up. I think we were the very last ones to sign up as well. It was intimidating.

Your friend Cale was auditioning, too?

He didn’t want to audition, but we made him. My brother Daniel had auditioned once before and didn’t make it, but he wanted to do it again and I told him I might as well go with him. I thought it might be a cool opportunity if something happened with it and maybe even make it to Hollywood. I saw what happened for Sean Michel. When he went to Hollywood, Arkansas went crazy and he’s still doing stuff and being very successful.

Since you were the last ones to arrive, did you have to wait in line a long time?

The line was forever long but my brother is the biggest con artist in the world. He went up to one of the security guards and said, “Dude, we have these guitars out here. They can’t be out in the heat.” It was blazing hot outside but the security guard said, “No, dude. We can’t do it.” And Daniel kept trying to convince him and so he ended up letting us cut in line and we went in the arena a lot sooner than we should have. But that was no big deal because we were some of the very last ones to sing. We waited for 14 hours.

Were you and Daniel and Cale in the same small group of five for that first audition?

The same, yes. I remember it vividly. It was one guy, then my brother, then me, then my friend and another guy. The first guy sang and he was really, really good. Then my brother sang and he did really well and then I sang. I couldn’t even talk really and I found out [later] I had bronchitis during that time. Great timing. So I could barely even sing. It was not what I wanted to happen but it turned out OK. And then my friend sang and he started out really low and he was so mad at himself.

What did you sing?

“A Song for You,” [the version by] Donny Hathaway, and it went OK and then my friend sang and he would have liked to have done better. He would not call himself a singer but I like his voice. And then the next guy, he was just trying to get on TV. He was making a big joke out of it. It was funny.

So my brother and I are sitting there, all five of us actually, and the judges say, “Can I have you, you and you?” It was the guy next to my brother and my friend and the other funny guy and the judges said, “Can you come up here?” And me and my brother are thinking, “Oh crap.” And they told them, “Sorry, this isn’t going to work out,” and so me and my brother hugged each other stupidly and my friend was so happy for us and it was a cool moment. Me and my brother aren’t a lot alike and our personalities don’t mix, so it’s nice when we have moments like that where we meet in the middle.

So you and your brother continue through the audition process and eventually have to sing for executive producer Ken Warwick. How did that go?

My brother went first. He was a cheerleader and he flipped and then he sang and Ken said, “Sorry, but you’re not what we’re looking for. There are a lot of voices like you.” My brother walked by me and was upset and that was rough and then I sang and Ken didn’t say “Amazing!” or “Great! Go to the next round.” It was more like, “Ummm, sure.”

That sent you through to Simon, Paula, Randy and Kara. What was that like?

We waited forever for the judges to get there. Finally I’m the next one to sing and I have to pee so bad. I’m really nervous and I have to pee, and I’m thinking, “I’m going to pee on myself on national TV. That cannot happen.” I asked, “Can I go to the bathroom?” I was told, “No, there’s no time.” And then by the grace of God or something, Paula spilled her drink on herself and they had to take a break. I ran to the bathroom and Simon and Randy walk in. I was at the urinal and I don’t know if I was supposed to be in this bathroom. I was going in the closest one I could find. And they surround me at the urinals. Simon’s peeing next to me on the left and Randy’s on the right and they’re having this conversation. I was really nervous before and now I wasn’t nervous anymore. They pee like the rest of us.

We’ve all seen your audition, where Simon questions your confidence.

I felt like I did really well and then Simon said something about my confidence. I remember him asking me, “Are you the best singer in the world?” and I thought, “Are you serious?” So I said, “No, I’m not the best singer in the world.” Who would say that? If you say that you’re the best singer in the world, you’re probably not the best singer in the world. So that was the way it started off and it was weird. Paula walked up to me after I sang and whispered to my face that I was great and then there was this banter between the judges. Kara said, “OK, we have to stop this and figure out if he’s going to Hollywood.” She asked Randy, “What do you think?” He sat there for what seemed like forever and said, “I don’t know, man. I’m on the fence.” I think he said he was on the fences with the horses because we were at the Kentucky Derby. And then he said, “Yes.” And Simon said, “Yes.” After all the [stuff about] confidence, he said yes quickly and Paula said yes, so Kara was like, “You’re going to Hollywood!”

When you walked in to audition, did Simon and Randy recognize you from the urinals?

No, they didn’t. I wanted to say, “Didn’t I just see you in the bathroom?” but I thought maybe I shouldn’t say anything, especially if it’s going to make it to TV.

And you didn’t talk to them while you were all in the bathroom?

No, I didn’t say anything. I was nervous, but my friend said I should have asked them, “Are you guys trying out?”

That would have been an “American Idol” first, I’m sure.

Probably so.

Your first audition was in July 2008 and you married Katy in September. Did you ever think, “I’m getting married, I can’t be auditioning for ‘American Idol’?”

No, I never wanted to give up. We got married and then went straight to Hollywood right after the honeymoon. I wanted to make it as far as I could and maybe get a little bit of TV time so that something would happen. Someone will recognize me and then maybe I can do my own thing, get a little bit of exposure to start a music career.

What did Katy think about your plans?

Like my parents, she’s been really supportive. She supports me more than I support myself.

You were the only contestant from Season Eight who was never eliminated. Were you surprised that you weren’t sent packing at any point?

I don’t feel like I have one of those voices that makes people say, “Wow! What the heck?” I felt like I could make it through Hollywood Week. I felt like I could do that. When I made it though the first round of Hollywood Week, I thought, OK. In the second round, I thought, OK. And then we had the group round, which was actually a lot of fun, and then the next round, I finally got to do what I wanted to and play an instrument. I got to show them what I could do, take songs and make them cool.

I remember the look on your face when you made the top 12, actually, the top 13.

That was the hardest week. You go from [a group of 13] to [a Top] Three. You couldn’t be the fourth best. When I go back and listen to that performance, I don’t think that deserved to go through, because I seriously felt like our group was incredible, and when you think about it, it was. We had Jasmine, Megan, Matt, me, Adam, Allison. Out of the top 13, there’s six of us in there. I think that was it from that group. So yeah, it was really shocking to make it through that week. That was probably the most shocking time.

-- Fred Bronson

Photo: Charles Sykes / Associated Press

Related:

Kris Allen: The early years

Adam Lambert: The early years

Adam Lambert: Showbiz beginnings

Adam Lambert: Finding his groove

Adam Lambert: The "Idol" chapter

Comments

[Tish]

"Are you guys trying out?" Love Kris' sense of humor and everything else about him, but doesnt he have a stylist or image consultant to lose the plaid shirts? Please?

[Christine]

Love this guy. So down to earth, big heart, witty, and humorous. He deserves all the best in his music career!

[Sacha]

I love Kris but why did you use a poor photo of Adam for his article and a flattering one of Kris? Adam's was from that cheesy group performance, the lighting was sh.it, you could barely see him, it was basically a rubbsish photo. And for Kris you chose a professional, bright happy outdoor shot lol? The shots of Adam from this same event - GMA, were so stunning. Yet you didn't use them? Wtv.

[Sacha]

Just read the article lol, he is amazing and this is epic.

[Masieta]

Kris is so real. It would have been hilarious if he'd asked Simon & Randy if they were going to try out but I'm glad he didn't. They never would have passed him on, and we would have missed out on him and his music. Thanks for a great interview! Can't wait for Part 3...

[Coral]

I love Kris' sense of humor, and that his ego is in check. But, I do have to disagree with him, I think he was one of the best performers during the group 2 night. He put so much passion and emotion into his performance. Yes he was nervous, but there was a point where he just connected with the song, it was incredible.

[k.d. carter]

I seriously think this guy is really awesome! Like it's unbelieveable how awesome he is. That's all.

[josh]

Kris is so hard on himself! He's an amazing guy and an amazing singer.

[Kim]

Sean Michel - wasn't that the guy who looked like a cross between Jesus and Castro? I love that Kris and he made music together.

[sahsouha1]

Oh my God, this is such an entertaining interview, great questions & perfect, hilarious very transparent answers! Lovvvvve Kris..can't wait for his album, but before that can't wait for the other parts of the interview..keep them coming please!!!

[calvinshobbes]

Well done Kris Allen!

[heather letts]

Kris, congrats on winning, but always stay as humble as you are and pursue as many lessons as you can, you are good, but you could be great. It is no secret even to you that Adam is in a class all his own and the win needed to go to you, because he was already the winner and the worldwide favorite. Stay good friends with Adam because he will be your best advisor, and help you to acheive greatness. Good luck and God bless you and never forget how important your wife is and give her all the attention you can. She is your best friend and biggest fan. Listen to her and honor her, and you folks and you will go far. I hope you take this in the spirit it is meant as I do think you are a good singer, but don't let it get you discouraged that Adam is so much more favorited. He deserves it as I know that you know by what you said in the finale, you earned my ultimate respect when you admitted that Adam deserved the win, and because of that I was not angry as I would have normally been. You were a true gentleman. Keep God first in your life and He will direct your path.

[Mildred]

Kris is so boring!

[pane]

So, your brother (the biggest con artist as you said)found the way to do the short cut (cheated) and you were able to cut in line and got to the arena a lot sooner that's what you meant? That's not nice and selfish!!!!