"Idol" Winner Kris Allen: No Regrets

23-Year-Old Arkansas Native And Underdog In The Competition Talks About His Victory

(CBS)  It's been called the biggest upset in "American Idol" history -- last week's win by Kris Allen. And the modest 23-year-old Arkansas native seemed most surprised of all.

"Are you the best singer out there?" asked "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi during Allen's audition.

"You know, there's probably people that are better than me," he said humbly.

At first, his humility had the judges questioning his star power.

"Your modesty is actually putting me off a little bit," said "Idol" judge Simon Cowell.

But as the season progressed, Allen used his versatility to turn from anonymity to stardom.

In the end, Kris, the quiet country boy, edged out heavy favorite Adam Lambert, the glam rocker, in the "Idol" voting.

The fact that he is the new "Idol" winner still hasn't sunken in yet, because he hasn't had time to breathe, he said on The Early Show Friday.

Ultimately, being crowned the "Idol" winner was a shock for the humble, modest, nice guy.

"For me, I was shocked almost every week," Allen admitted to co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez. "Just because, like, everyone's really good. Especially Adam (Lambert). He's incredible. And so, yeah, I was completely shocked."

Regardless of the outcome, Allen says that he has no regrets and wouldn't have done anything differently.

"Oh, no. It turned out OK. I had a great time," he said. "And you know, you learn from your mistakes, as well. So no regrets. None at all."

Although Allen appeared extremely surprised during the finale, the moment when his wife hugged him is when he finally started to lose it.

"We weren't saying anything to each other," he said. "It was just like -- just that moment, where we hadn't been married really for the past four or five months.

"And so it was like, now we can actually like live our lives and be married. You know, other than we're going to live the 'American Idol' life, as whatever. But, you know, she's just happy. She's so happy for me."

As for the future, Allen hopes to top his victory by making a "great album."

A lot of people seem to think a country album would be a great fit for Allen, but he respectfully disagrees.

"Country's not my thing. It's definitely not the route that I want to go," he said. "I think what I did on the show is definitely my thing."

[Aerme]

KRIS ALLEN!!!!!

[Aerme]

First of all ''Kris Neil Allen'' is 'the' HOTTEST guy on the face of earth and adam is jst a girly gayass tht is actin so bogass and if i were to be in ''Kris' shoes i would hv been feelin rlly bad and scared of hvin to be roommates with a gayass tht would try bein so sexually in-ignorance and if anyone disagrees the only thin i hv to say is " Dream it and get a LIFE" cuz me and Kris are tight and since u guyz dnt blv me i dnt GIVE A S' ' ' and like i sd b4 Kris Allen is THE ONE AND ONLY HOTT GUY ON EARTH then cms 90210 actors lol. But if u guyz think tht adam shod of won then i consider tht u -listen b4 u talk-. Yeh Kris I got ur Back. MAN U ROCK!!!!!

[MarCanadAdam]

What I'm most proud about is that Adam Lambert went to his Idol audition in San Francisco with an open mind, open heart and a lot of faith that his singing would be the thing that would be judge, and that Idol was an equal-opportunity forum that is run fairly. Adam indeed got robbed, and Kris is indeed one of those cookie-cutter musicians that Idol safely wants as their so-called AI. But really guys, Adam proved by getting to the finals that his talent is far superior than anyone else on this show or previous seasons. How can you compare the two? All the experts say Adam blows Kris away musically, and in every other performing way. What I'd love to know is why is it that instruments have become part of this competition. Kris would have gone nowhere without his guitar and piano. They basically hide the fact he is a limited-ability performer. Adam's instrument is his voice - and a lethally addictive one at that. Adam's start will shine, no doubt, and he has throngs of supporters out there. And who will also be capitalizing: Idol of course. Oh, and I won't even bother to get into the Text-gate scandal - just a few harmless AT & T employees helping Kris supporters vote. PLEASE!!!!!! This year's Idol crown will indeed forever be tainted.

[marieleathem]

Did it ever occur to anyone that maybe everyone's opinion is right? When something amazing happens, or you win something...whatever, it's because different things line up at the same time...sometimes sports teams lose because their best player was not in the game for whatever reason, sometimes you miss getting in that fender bender because you forgot your paperwork on your desk and had to run back into the house...etc. So, yes, maybe there are people who voted for Kris as a vote against Adam, this is unfortunate and sickens me. BUT, there are other factors...I think "The Gokey Factor" was part of it, I think voting for the underdog was part of it, I believe loving Kris and his talent was part of it, I believe that lots of Adam fans may have believed he was so "safe" that they didn't need to vote, even the mentors and genres of music factored into it, heck, maybe even "textgate" (gotta love Jimmy Fallon) factored into it. IT DOESN'T MATTER. It's many things, not any ONE thing. There are so many different people with different opinions that drove them to vote so many different ways for different reasons, that we'll never know!! For me, Kris was destined. I believe in God so I believe this was part of God's plan for Kris and He made everything line up and he gave Kris his gift of song. But, whatever you believe, that it's the universe, or karma, or Buddha or whatever - things happen for a reason. I'm just tired of the "controversy" they are both so talented and deserving and lets just let them both enjoy it. Now, are you wondering who I voted for? Kris. 20 times....but I LOVE Adam, but for me it came down to this - Kris's music moved me...sometimes even hurt my heart a little. And if it was a radio show, and I heard only their voices without any of the lights and costumes and judges, who would I have preferred listening to in the quiet of my own home? Kris. That's how I made my decision. Don't get me wrong, Adam is so talented it's not even funny (and I will be following him, his music and success), and I think when his album comes out we won't hear so much of his upper...upper...upper range - I think he did that as often as he did to show the judges and us just how talented he is so we have all the information (so to speak) when we cast our vote. Is there really any one out there who thinks Adam is going to be any less successful because he didn't win? Really? Seriously? It's NOT any ONE reason. EVERY ONE IS RIGHT. Just my humble opinion...and that's all it is, an opinion. There is room for everyone.

[sam-kiley]

coucou
kris vous etes tout simplement sublime, vous avez gagné vousle méritez, bravo a tous les deux chris&adam, laissez le gouter la joie de la réussite, ressasser l'histoire du vote, ne servirait qu'a lui faire de la peine, les dés sont jetés, il a gagné bien mérité..c'est ainsi..
bon courage a tous les deux kris&adam.
au revoir

[kenny09]

"Kris Allen will always be the pretender to the throne...Allen was not the best in the competition and did not win fairly. It's a shame his win will always be tainted and hewill only be remembered as the guy who unfairly bested Adam. Too bad for him - it must be hard to know you didn't deserve to win - Like Allen honestly said himself - Adam deserves this.... " What???? This is a very dramatic, over the top statement to make, in my opinion. Kris won because MORE PEOPLE VOTED FOR HIM period. You obviously didn't think he should win and you are entitled to your opinion, but "pretender to the throne?' Give me a break. Kris is an amazing musician who can not only sing but play several instruments and is very humble. He was honestly shocked that more people voted for him than Adam, but that's part of what makes him so likeable. I like Adam too and think he is an amazing performer who has said several times in different interviews that he thinks Kris is very talented and deserved to win. I already liked Adam as a performer, but after hearing that, I liked him as a person ever more.

[nirak2-2009]

selectivemindset
I am not gay, but I don't think you, Adam or anyone else for that matter has to explain his sexuality
Adam is a singer and entertainer and what he does in his private life is no ones business.
I am getting a little sick of that subject.

[nirak2-2009]

As nice as Kris seems to be, I defiantly wouldn't buy his music

[selectivemindset]

Not sure why American Idol turns everybody into a professional judge but it seems to do that. I do think Simon inadvertently effects the voting when he promotes one singer over another. He promoted David A last year and David C ended up winning, the same with this year when he promoted Adam over Kris. He needs to stop doing that, it makes one party over-confident and the other party under-confident which I believe affects the voting. As far as Adam being gay, I thought that was a "no brainer", I personally don't feel offended that he didn't come out, being a gay male myself, why do we need to dignify the question.

[kynkacat]

PS - Like Lennon once sang about McCartney -
"A pretty face will last a year or two - then we'll see what you can do".
Kris will have to do a lot to prove he's really America's Singing Idol - not just a pretty face to America's pre-teens - . Hope he's up to the task!!
I'm already looking forward to Adam's CD - Can't wait!!

[kynkacat]

Kris Allen will always be the pretender to the throne. Like McCartney and Lennon and Salieri and Mozart - Allen could not compete with Adam. Innate talent can always be seen and appreciated and being different is not a bad thing. I would rather watch one beautiful bluebird or cardinal in my garden than 50 sparrows. Allen was not the best in the competition and did not win fairly. It's a shame his win will always be tainted and he will only be remembered as the guy who unfairly bested Adam. Too bad for him - it must be hard to know you didn't deserve to win - Like Allen honestly said himself - Adam deserves this....

[wooha3]

American Idol was worth watching this year, especially the finale. I knew I would buy Kris Allen's music from the start and rooted for him to the end. Adam Lambert's theatrics made the contest much more interesting, and Allison Iraheta amazed me with her ability to sing the most difficult songs and with the weird hair and outfits she sang in.
Both Adam and Kris were deserving but I wasnt surprised when Kris won. I felt that Simon Cowell promoted Adam and created a lot of hype around him to influence the voting and to create a false expectation that he would win. I have all of Kris' music from Idol so far, and have Adam's "Mad World."

[mwhc1]

and i like chris - that's why this sucks... i would give it back if i were chris... and not accept it if i were adam.

[mwhc1]

and yes, i think ATT was a little worried about Adam going to disney world and a ATT image. sorry, that's what happens when u rig the voting - even a little.

100 million votes... hmmm... i bet not.

[mwhc1]

so what was the final vote? where are the numbers? i would be very upset (either one of them) ATT messed up. In fact, if I had voted all year, I would want my money back - the whole process was tainted. It really cheapins the whole thing for play Adam and Chris.

[ErrorInUse]

ealymc...i think it's more that it's NO ONE'S DARNED business what Adam Lambert's sexuality is than he is ashamed of who he is anymore than it's your business who I am. My friends and family know who I am as I'm sure Adam Lambert's know who he is. I am so sick and tired of people insisting on knowing every dam thing about every dam celebrity. Adam Lambert can sing. Kris can sing. It should be left at that.

[kcolton]

i beg to differ... kris was a star he just came on slower than adam... in the end he may not of had "kelly clarkston or prez hilton" but who cares he had support form artist and formal idols like chris daughtry who repetaly made it clear he was a kris allen fan he made comments on his twitter and on interviews... he also had support from david cook and david archi... and countless others like the person he sang with keith urban who said he was a kris man so get your facts strait before you say he had no star power and that none of the "stars" knew him like the stars are all that matters... his fans matter those of us who are not famous and love to hear HIS music... which is not to say adam isnt good cuz he is... and if you are an adam fan he would be sad to hear you say kris isnt a star cuz adam has respect for kris and thinks he is talented and deserves the title just as kris does for adam

[ealymc]

sorry for all of the horrible grammar in my previous post. shameful. i was rushing, but that won't happen again!! :)

[ealymc]

A movement? Against Adam? PLEASE. What it is is American's don't like to be force-fed anything and we also LOVE the underdog.

As a gay male, please believe that my vote was FOR Kris Allen and not against Adam Lambert. It's funny but some gays have treated this as a traitorous move, but you know what? Adam isn't even owning who he is and is really not sending a good message as one of the communities most visible members right now. What is he saying? It's not okay to be gay? It's something to be ashamed of? In fact, the point that he would rather people keep speculating is making me lose more and more respect as time passes...

[senseandreason]

A movement against Adam? Hmm. Maybe, just tough to believe the movement didn't become a movement until the end, and Adam was OK with the majority until then. Adam was the better vocalist, no doubt. But, his versions of songs were "performances" for the most part, vocal displays that for me shredded the melodies and whatever else made those songs attractive to me. I like Adam, fun to watch, but if I were just listening - not so much. So Gay/Straight, whatever, no prejudice here, would still have the same opinion. Kris simply has a wider appeal. Would an opera singer, a far better vocalist, have beaten out Kris? Doubt it. Not a wide enough appeal, and Adam's wasn't wide enough either. I 'll have to ask my gay friends how they perceive it. Hope they don't believe a "movement" was the issue.