Kris Allen: Recent News

Apr 23, 2012

Kris Allen's Dog Zorro Graces Cover of New Album

Jan 31, 2010

A Galaxy of Stars Light Up Pre-Grammy Gala

Dec 15, 2009

Idol Kris Allen Says Adam Lambert is Finally Showing His True Colors

Nov 23, 2009

Why is Kris Allen Sleeping On a Blowup Mattress?

See All Kris Allen News

Kris Allen: Snapshot

Name: Kris Allen
Date of Birth: June 21, 1985
Birth Place: Conway, Ark

Adam Lambert may have been the dazzling showstopper of American Idol's eighth season, but soft-spoken Kris Allen was the soulful underdog who eventually won the hearts of millions.

The Arkansas native's humble demeanor and innovative renditions of such hits as Kanye West's "Heartless," helped the shy cutie nab the Idol crown. And although he's a married man, girls (and even runner-up Lambert!) couldn't help but swoon over his good looks. Though the crooner's self-titled debut album was released in November 2009 to disappointing sales, the laid-back singer shows no signs of slowing down.

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Kris Allen: Video

Star Talk

The Idol winner answers reader questions about babies, barbeque and boxers or briefs

(02:00)

Kris Allen: Five Fun Facts

Kris Allen has an admirer! American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert admitted he had a crush on his competitor. "[He's] nice, nonchalant, pretty and totally my type–except that he has a wife," Lambert told Rolling Stone.
Kris Allen's got skills on the viola – which he picked up in fourth grade because a few of his pals took up the instrument. "All my friends stopped playing but I kept playing until the end of high school," he told EW.
After serving as an American Idol mentor, Jamie Foxx told Kris Allen he'd like to do a record with him. "I'm a macho man, but he was singing and I was like, 'Oh my goodness'," the singer-actor told Ellen DeGeneres.
After Kris Allen performed "Falling Slowly" from the film Once on American Idol, the movie's stars sent him a signed vinyl album and letter of thanks. "It almost brought me to tears," Allen told EW.
The American Idol PR team forbade Kris Allen from saying the word "benches" on-air because his slight Southern accent made it sound like he was saying "bitches."

Kris Allen: Biography

2008: Auditioning for Idol
Allen's brother Daniel convinces him to audition for American Idol's eighth season in Louisville, Ky. Singing "A Song For You," the soft-spoken hopeful fails to impress judge Simon Cowell, who says, "I think part of the problem, Kris, is you, because you don't have a huge amount of personality." Despite the criticism, he advances to Hollywood Week.
September 26
Kris Weds Katy
Allen marries high school sweetheart Katy O'Connell in a sunset ceremony on the Arkansas river. "We just had a blast," he tells PEOPLE of the celebration, attended by 400 guests. "She's been my best friend for a long time. She's the coolest chick in the world."
2009: March 31
Ain't No One Better
Emerging as the competition's "dark horse," Allen wows audiences with his soulful performance of "Ain't No Sunshine" during Top 9 week. Though the judges show him no love, EW raves, "Kris's ability to consistently dial back on notes…makes it that much more delectable when he finally goes in for the power growl."