'American Idol' champ Kris Allen wants Grammys, but will he get them?
After pulling off a shockeroo upset on "American Idol" over Adam Lambert, Kris Allen said, "The only thing I want to do is to be respected in the music industry and my music be respected. Whether that means selling albums or winning Grammys or just people liking your music — that's all I really want to do."
So far, only two of "American Idol's" eight champs have grabbed Grammys. Carrie Underwood won one of that award's four highest honors — best new artist (she's the only "Idol" contestant ever nominated in that race) — plus three trophies in the country categories. Kelly Clarkson has won two in the pop field.
Among "Idol" losers, seventh-place contestant Jennifer Hudson won a Grammy in February for best R&B album for her eponymous disc. Of course, she also has an Oscar, Golden Globes and slew of other golden statuettes.
Kris Allen won't be joining the above stars if two New York Times writers are correct in their assessments of his talent. Frank Rich calls him bland and Jon Caramanica adds, "At best, Mr. Allen is a harmless singer — he makes Kenny Loggins look tough. At worst, he’s indefensible, utterly lacking in texture and range and interpretive imagination."
But, oh, come on! Allen demonstrated impressive singing chops while crooning such numbers on stage as "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Heartless," which suggests that he has true promise that could lead to Grammy greatness someday.
In addition, Allen, personally speaking, is a winner in another, very appealing way. I agree with the assessment of Richard Rushfield, who says in the L.A. Times' Idoltracker blog, "Kris Allen, more than any winner since Carrie Underwood, brought the show back to its original promise, its central narrative; that all this could be given to someone truly plucked from the masses, and that they could take it all, live the fantasy, while remaining true to themselves. Kris, in the quiet power of his performance, and his humble, unmistakable personal goodness, gave the show back its heart and a story that will bring tears to the eyes of all who behold it for ages to come."
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If John Mayer can win a grammy- why not Kris. John Mayer does not have all that great of a voice and in my opinion Kris sings better than Mr. Mayer. People should not compare Kris with Adam as they are two totally different singers. Kris does not have the experience Adam has but he will grow in time. I think Kris has a good of a shot as any to win a grammy. Time will tell. Never underestimate anyone.
Posted by: Tawney | July 06, 2009 at 10:49 PM
The NY Reporters do not know what they are talking about, if they are going to call Kris "bland".
Bland is such a vague term -- and certainly doesn't apply to Kris. Kris is sincerely talented, not only as a musician, but as a soulful singer, gracious artist, and interesting interpreter. Adam is impressive, sure, but he is not what everyone makes him out to be -- after hearing rave reviews about him, I clocked in on an episode only finding him not living up to the hype everyone made out. Adam's performances full of fancy clothing, props, and makeup became tedious and annoying, whereas Kris began to impress us as the days grew on. I'm sick and tired of hearing people saying this stuff about Kris Allen -- I'm truly in love every time he sings. His performances are so heartfelt. I think that takes a gifted singer to do.
Posted by: Rachel | June 11, 2009 at 12:49 AM
those two NY critics got is right. would I buy a cd full of songs written by a sentimental young boy or a cd that'll be as interesting as adam? some people hate adam's strong stage presence, but he was the most entertaining person on idol. he should have his own show. please, I don't care if it's a shit reality show following his day to day life, that guy is gold. more interesting than kris. always thought kris should've lost early on in the show.
Posted by: missa | June 01, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Only one person can take the title on AI, but everyone who gets into the top ten is really a winner, and it is up to them to decide how to best use the opportunities that platform makes available to them.
Congratulations to both Adam and Kris.
Posted by: Bruce B | June 01, 2009 at 04:56 AM
KRIS'S SUCCESS HAS NO BOUNDARIES!
Posted by: Rain | May 31, 2009 at 03:09 PM
both Adam amd Kris will achieve success , perhaps in diferrent forms ,shape or size...they are two distinctly different singers with different styles...altho may I say Adam is a far more superior of a performer with a vocal range that's unmatched...he will surely go places where no other idol has achieved before.
Posted by: leileea | May 31, 2009 at 11:40 AM
lol you guys are funny, of course kris won't get grammys. sorry. my money's all on adam. i mean, kris will be successful and all...but i just can't imagine seeing him walk up the stage to receive a grammy, its just too much for me.
Posted by: hahahaha | May 30, 2009 at 06:49 AM
Sorry Kris, but little girls don't vote for the Grammys.
Posted by: AEvangelista | May 25, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Kris Allen touched my heart with his performances on American Idol. He is a genuinely nice person who is amazingly talented. Over the top glam rock from the 80s may be something new on American Idol, but it is something that has long past it's time in the real world. Just look at KISS. I think America certainly got it right and we have a very deserving new Idol that I believe will do very well in the future and I wish him nothing but the best.
Posted by: ShariG | May 25, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Adam's fans who continue to discredit Kris by calling him bland with no talent are beginning to sound like sore losers who can't see anything beyond their own world.
Jamie Foxx, Reba McEntire, Smokey Robinson, and Daughtry have all said they like Kris's style of singing. I don't think they're a bunch of idiots.
I'm gay, liberal and a Buddhist and I think Kris is not only very talented but as Kara said, he makes you feel what he feels when he's singing his songs. If some can't hear that, then maybe they're used to be yelled and screamed at by the media to get their attention.
Adam is extremely talented but so much of his performing on AI was a show, full of lights, choreography and showing off. That's very entertaining. If homophobia kept him from winning, it would be a shame. But I seriously doubt he would have made it to the finals if people didn't want a gay idol.
Kris didn't need any of that to reach his fans. And i have no doubt he will continue to reach many more.
Maybe Adam will sell more records and become a big superstar. All power to him. (I frankly couldn't care less.) That doesn't take away from Kris's talent or his ability to reach others through his music.
Posted by: David | May 25, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Thank you for your insightful articles on Kris Allen. It's such a relief to read a critic's deeper and more realistic understanding of American Idol. It was interesting to hear a few
"stars" such as Cindy Lauper and Jason Mraz say that if they had had to face the judges
they would not have made it. Right from "Man In The Mirror" I found such joy and passion
in Kris' singing and performances. His body seems to organically embody every moment
of what he is trying to say with the song. He sings with spontaneity, unusual phrasing, and his voice
soars with meaning, all of which captures my heart. I hope this translates to his CDs because
the American Idol songs are just not enough!
Posted by: Deborah | May 25, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Thanks Tom, I think you got it right.
The NY Times was unbelievably dismissive -- first of both artists, then of the one who isn't "edgy" enough.
And yet, watching the show each week, who did the most creative re-arrangements of songs on more occasions? Who didn't have to rely on costuming and makeup and smoke and mirrors?
"Bland" is such a stupid word when applied to Kris Allen. Is Nat King Cole's music bland because he doesn't shriek? What about James Taylor's or Paul Simon's or Nora Jones's?
It's some of the critics who are turning this into a culture war stand-off, not the contestants.
Posted by: daisy | May 25, 2009 at 10:04 AM
WHY HAVE YOU TOTALLY MISINTERPRETED WHAT KRIS SAID, LA TIMES?
He didn't say he wants Grammys. He said he wants respect, whether it be winning Grammys or people just liking your music, it doesn't matter.
His remarks are pretty clear. This is lousy journalism, sorry.
Posted by: ross | May 25, 2009 at 08:54 AM
"a story that will bring tears to the eyes of all who behold it for ages to come."
Yeah, cept the tears are due to Adam being robbed.
Posted by: KJ | May 25, 2009 at 08:33 AM
He never said he wants to win Grammys. I'm sure he does want to, but what he meant was he doesn't care if he wins Grammys or just pleases people. He's been the American Idol only a few days and already being misquoted and misinterpreted.
I seriously doubt Adam is going to win any Grammys, by the way.
Posted by: dave | May 25, 2009 at 08:22 AM
I dunno bout ya'll but to me the true star of american idol season 8 was ADAM LAMBERT!! yeah kudos to kris for winning but like adam said on Larry king, its not bout a title, it about d opportunity, and bear in mind that winning does not ensure success, i mean look at Jennifer, Clay, Katherine, Daughtry, all losers, but successes today. So ......lets see hw far they both go.
Posted by: ME | May 24, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Grammy's? C'mon, Arkansas power votes are not valid in Grammy's so it would be very hard for Allen to get any award at all unless it's his people are the ones voting.
Allen is quite a good singer but there's a plenty of his kind in the business today.
Posted by: Lou | May 24, 2009 at 12:39 PM
I'm a devout Christian and a working mother of two music-loving boys. Each time I watch a replay of American Idol’s performance finale, I can not help but ask: What is wrong with America? America's vote for Kris Allen, or America's vote against Adam Lambert, seems to be a contemptuous hate vote against various sectors of society that Adam Lambert appears to stand for. People forgot that American Idol is a singing contest, not a political battle nor a popularity contest among class of persons. It is a singing talent contest that is open to all, regardless of orientation or religion. And in Season 8, Adam Lambert consistently proved to be the amazingly innovative artist and the best singer, gifted with a powerful voice. ADAM LAMBERT DESERVED TO WIN. Even Kris knows this within his Christian heart, so much so that when he was unexpectedly handed the undeserved title, he evidently became perplexed and then asserted in open public that "Adam deserves this..." – instinctively repudiating the unbelievable subsuming vote results and in righteous adherence to glaring truth. You could actually count so many seconds before the puzzled Kris finally acquiesced to receive the undeserved crown, but only after Adam graciously approached to place his arm around Kris’ shoulder in encouragement. Adam Lambert is the true winner. Should I also ask: What is wrong with this American Idol TV show?
Posted by: A. Lambe | May 24, 2009 at 10:04 AM
The only problem with Kris Allen is that he has no talent. Most garage band singers are better. In five years no one will remember who he was.
Posted by: ERick | May 24, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Do we really need another soft-voiced pretty boy? The past couple winners have filled voids per se as will Lambert. Allen? Not really. I'm fine with making banana pancakes...
Posted by: A.J | May 24, 2009 at 07:29 AM
i think he will
Posted by: wanda | May 24, 2009 at 05:07 AM
This article got it right with "while remaining true to [himself]". Adam really is a fine singer. However, his showmanship turned me off, it was all very forced and over-the-top. Kris was an amazing singer, instrumentalist, and performer. Remember when Kara said that he can take a song and make an audience FEEL it? That's why I like Kris. He doesn't have to add smoke, lights, screams, and flamboyant costumes to make a decent performance. The guy can sing and play with more emotion than Adam can force out. Both of them are great, really, but these are the reasons I voted for Kris.
Kara, however, drives me nuts.
Posted by: crash | May 24, 2009 at 12:58 AM
People need to let kris allen be.... He's a damn good singer...unlike that faggot adam he needs to go find a man ugly girly voice anyways
Posted by: ryan | May 23, 2009 at 11:48 PM
It's very possible for Kris Allen to win Grammys. Besides, they give out Grammys like free samples at a grocery store. Who would have thought Jennifer Hudson, an AI finalist reject, would win an Oscar? Who would have thought Carrie would be the most successful AI winner (along with Kelly Clarkson)? Anything is possible. Kris just needs to put out some hot music and surprise us like he did with those winning votes. People need to stop discrediting him and give him a chance to prove that he was the right choice after all.
Posted by: Grapevyne | May 23, 2009 at 11:22 PM
Um, doesn't that Richard Rushfield basically describe Taylor Hicks & David Cook?
Posted by: Jack Sparrow | May 23, 2009 at 11:08 PM