New: Kris Allen
December 8, 2009, 5:19 p.m.
Kris Allen isn't your typical pop star. He's quiet, reserved and laid back. Unlike his chief competitor on Season 8 of "American Idol," Adam Lambert, Kris doesn't shock audiences with over-the-top stage wear or lyrics laced with innuendo. But he still commands attention, which he proved with his "Idol" win.
Born in Jacksonville, Arkansas, in 1985, to Kimberly and Neil Allen, Kris has one brother, Daniel, who was the one who convinced Kris to try out for "American Idol." Even as a young child, Kris showed an aptitude for music, playing the viola from elementary school through his stint in the Mills University High School orchestra and the Arkansas all-state orchestra and teaching himself to play the guitar at age 13. He also plays the piano.
His musical influences, as stated in his "Idol" confessionals, include the Beatles, Jamie Cullum, Jason Mraz, John Mayer and Michael Jackson.
He enrolled at the University of Central Arkansas as a business student but dropped out to pursue a music career. He performed at local venues and bars, helped to lead worship services at New Life Church, and, in 2007, wrote and self-produced his first album, the independently released "Brand New Shoes."
That album included 11 tracks, from the title track to "Land of Smiles" and "On our Way."
Kris was certainly on his way.
• Related: Kris Allen on the E-News Blog
Having difficulties making a go of a music career, he resumed classes and almost didn't try out for "American Idol." His brother Daniel, who also tried out, convinced him to go for it.
Allen married his girlfriend of seven years, Katherine "Katy" O'Connell, on September 26, 2008, after the two had dated since Allen's junior year of high school. And Kris had skipped a nearby audition because it was too close to his wedding date. So Kris and his brother decided to drive 12 hours to the Louisville, Kentucky, audition. When the brothers arrived, they realized they'd forgotten about the hour time difference and were told registrations were no longer being accepted.
Daniel convinced the registration staff to let them through anyway and, getting some of the last tickets to audition, Daniel and Kris (who had been battling sickness all day) waited 11 hours for their shot.
Kris has described his decision to audition for "American Idol" as a "last hurrah" before giving up his pursuit of a music career.
Kris made it through to Hollywood week - culminating in an off-air sing-off against another competitor to make it to the semifinals.
Among his performances on the show were renditions of Stevie Wonder's "For Once in My Life," Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight" and Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love."
During the final results show, he performed a duet with Keith Urban, singing Urban's single "Kiss a Girl" as well as a series of medleys with his fellow contestants. Before the results were announced, Allen performed "We Are the Champions" with eventual runner-up Adam Lambert and Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen.
Allen was declared the winner of the eighth season on May 20.
Some labeled Allen's win as an "upset" since runner-up Adam Lambert had received significant media attention throughout the season and was widely perceived to be the show's front-runner.
The winning margin was undisclosed; numerous sources, including the Associated Press, claimed that the margin "wasn't even close". Allen admitted that the alleged disparity in votes was a "total surprise" to him.
He was the first married contestant to claim the title.
Since "Idol," he has balanced touring with writing songs and recording his eponymous album, "Kris Allen," which was released Nov. 17 through Jive Records.
Kris immersed himself in the songwriting process as a key writer on nine of the record's 12 tracks.
On Sept. 21, "Live Like We're Dying" - the first single from the album - was released, and it became available on iTunes Sept. 25.
He has joked that if you name a big city, he has probably recorded a song there, referring to his hectic schedule on the 50-city American Idols LIVE! tour. He recorded in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Milwaukee and others, working with songwriters such as "Idol" alum Chris Daughtry and Joe King of The Fray.
On Dec. 8, Allen was confirmed to make a live appearance on the result show of FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance" finale on Dec. 9, singing "Live Like We're Dying."