Posts Tagged ‘Diana DeGarmo’

When Kris Allen was announced as the winner on Wednesday night’s American Idol finale, it wasn’t just the odds-makers around the world who were stunned that the cute kid from Arkansas had upset the overwhelming frontrunner Adam Lambert.

"I’m shocked… really shocked," a still-stunned Kris said backstage afterward. "I felt shocked almost every week that I made it, and to be the American Idol, I’m completely shocked."

In fact, the 23-year-old was so surprised by his own victory that he quietly declared "Adam deserves this" during the final moments of the Fox live broadcast.

"I feel like he deserves this just as much as I do," Kris explained. "He’s an amazing performer, gifted guy and really just an amazing guy. It was fun doing this with him. It really was."

When Kris got the chance to celebrate his win with his wife of almost eight months, Katy, their joy was beyond words. "We actually didn’t say anything," he revealed. "We were just hugging each other and we’re just like, uh, we can be married. We haven’t been able to be married for the past nine months… She’s amazing. She’s the coolest chick in the world." 

MORE PICS FROM THE IDOL FINALE!

As for what he hopes to do musically with his first post-Idol album, Kris said, "I think it’s pretty obvious that I’ve done a lot of the singer-songwriter pop-rock kind of thing and that’s something I want to do."

Kris, who says he’s been dreaming of a moment like this since he first picked up a guitar at the age of 13, had a message for his young fans: "Don’t have any regrets in life. If you want to do something, go after it," he said. "And if you fail a little bit, just keep going because something can happen with it."

Were you surprised by Kris’ victory? Go to twitter.com/okmagazine and tell us what’s on your mind!

Reporting by Carole Glines

Since the very beginning of the American Idol semifinals this season, all the oddsmakers were putting the sure money on Adam Lambert to walk away victorious in the end. With his polished stage presence, a vocal range that was — shall we say expansive? — and a theatricality that had audiences in the theater and at home howling for more, the San Diego native was definitely the one to beat.

But apparently no one told that to the fans of fellow finalist, Kris Allen, who managed to hone his aww-shucks just-another-guy persona into a stage persona that grew each week in confidence and popularity. He shocked the world last week when he beat out Danny Gokey for the spot next to Adam in the finals. But could he do it again in the finale with everything on the line?

The answer: Yes he could.

In what has to be the biggest upset in eight seasons of the hit Fox show, Kris was named the American Idol champ on Wednesday night, earning the majority of the almost 100 millions votes.

"I don’t even know what to feel right now," a stunned Kris said after hearing the news from host Ryan Seacrest. "Thank you so much."

MORE PICS FROM THE IDOL FINALE!

But before the results were announced, Adam and Kris had to wait for over two hours, through seemingly countless duets, group songs, and medleys featuring appearances from Cyndi Lauper, KISS (in full makeup), Fergie and The Black Eyed Peas, Lionel Richie, David Cook, Carlos Santana, Keith Urban, Rod Stewart, Jason Mraz, Queen Latifah, Queen, Steve Martin and all 13 Idol finalists.

Aside from the results, the night’s most surprising moment came when judge Kara DioGuardi jumped on stage to join former contestant Katrina Darrell — you know, the girl who auditioned in a bikini (and who appeared to have enhanced her… assets… in the months since first appearing on the show). At the end of their duet — more like a duel, actually — Kara ripped open her outfit to bare her own super-fit physique in nothing but a black bikini!

What was your favorite moment? Go to twitter.com/okmagazine to share!

Crowds filled L.A. Live’s Nokia Theater on Tuesday for the final night of competition on Season 8 of American Idol, and oh, what a show it was!

This season’s final two, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen, couldn’t be more different when it comes to everything from their fashion sense to their taste in music, making this season finale one of the most anticipated and hotly debated in Idol history.??

Along with previous Idol competitors David Archuleta and Carly Smithson in the audience, there was a higher than usual celebrity turnout, including Katie Holmes and her adorable daughter Suri Cruise, who kept her mom’s hands tightly over her ears during the show. Also on hand were Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins and his wife.

And if ever there was doubt about the close-knit Idol clan this season, tonight put it all to rest as eliminated contestants Danny Gokey, Alison Iraheta, Matt Giraud, Scott MacIntyre, Megan Joy, and the rest of the 13 finalists returned to lend their support.??

The allegiances of the crowd were equally split between the two remaining singers, with yellow “Kris” signs peppered throughout the screaming Adam fans in the audience.

As for the singing, the finalists were each tasked with performing three songs — their personal favorite song from the season; show creator Simon Fuller’s choice of song; and an original single co-written by new judge Kara DioGuardi.

??Both finalists bolted out of the starting gate strong. Adam performed a haunting version of “Mad World,” complete with dry-ice fog and a long black trench coat, all of which Simon Cowell called “a little too Phantom of the Opera for me.” ??Kris chose “Ain’t No Sunshine,” which he performed at the piano and impressed Simon so much that he agreed, “Kris, you’ve won round one.”

??But soon began to look like Adam’s night with his second song of the night, Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.” ??Following the performance, Simon told him, “you’re 100 percent back in the game,” and Paula said, “you’re going to be iconic someday, you’re the best I’ve ever heard.”??

Hard words to follow for Kris, who gave an — according to Simon — “too laid back" version of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?”

??Both competitors had a go at the third song, “No Boundaries,” though its slick, radio-ready tune didn’t seem to fit either Adam’s theatrics or Kris’s smoldering intensity.

At the end of the evening, the audience was treated to a live performance from Carrie Underwood, who sang her version of Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home” as a video montage played showing all the Idol finalists from this season on their journey to be in the final two.

By Katie Rhames

As far as singers go, there couldn’t be two more different competitors this season than Kris Allen—the laid-back, aww-shucks cutie pie from Arkansas—and the over-the-top and flamboyantly theatric Adam Lambert.

And in the week since it was decided that these two would square off in Tuesday night’s American Idol finale, a lot of online chatter has been about how Adam will win because he’s the first openly gay finalist or about how Kris will win because of the support he’s receiving from his Christian fan base.

But on Monday night, both Adam and Kris made it clear that fans should pick this season’s Idol champ not based on religion or sexual preference but — shockingly — on who they think is the better singer.

"I hope having the Christian vote doesn’t have anything to do with who wins," Kris explained at a press conference on Monday. "I hope it has to do with talent and the performance that you give and your package, and it’s not about religion."

Not surprisingly, ?Adam agreed. "This is a talent competition, not a church thing," said the San Diego-based rocker. "I would hope people vote based on what they like to hear… not what religious background you are or what color you are or what gender… It doesn’t really have anything to do with that. It’s about music."

Rather than focus on their differences, the pair talked openly about their shared love of performing. "I think we both love music, we share that," said Adam. "We get along really well; we were roommates early on in the competition."

Added Kris, "We both have a passion for this; we’ve both wanted to do this for a long time."

Adam did take a second to play down reports that his background as a professional musical theater actor has given him an unfair advantage this season. "This isn’t theater," he explained. "So I don’t really see how it affects it at all. Obviously I’ve had experience on the stage performing, but so has Kris, just in different venues. Kris has worked clubs and with a band. And I’ve worked in theater. We both have experience."

Joked Chris, "I’ve had just as much experience, just, you know… I wasn’t in Wicked!"

Tune in tonight to see these two very different — but apparently very similar performers— compete in the American Idol finale!

As American Idol rolls on toward next week’s season finale, OK! asked one of the few people on the planet who know what it’s like to ride the AI rollercoaster for an entire season — Diana DeGarmo — to share her unique perspective the hit show.

May 12 — THE FINAL THREE

We’ve made it down to the bottom three and let me say times have changed!

I sat watching the show thinking, "Wow, this is soooo different." To everyone else it might seem the same, but to me it feels like a whole new show.

On my season, we each got to sing three songs for the top 3 round, never had in-ear monitors, and definitely didn’t have as much drama! The show has really grown into a machine!

ANYWAY! Sorry for the trip down memory lane again……

Last night’s top 3 show was a show- down. I enjoyed myself from beginning to end. It was kind of funny to watch the judges duke it out over little comments, but the boys stepped up their game for sure! Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, and Adam Lambert were ready to battle it out for one of those two coveted spots in next week’s finale.

First up, Danny came out sang-ing Terence Trent D’Arby’s "Dance Little Sister." Randy was right when he said that the night’s opening performance was a sign to "let the games begin." Danny’s voice fit so nicely with the song and, in spite of whatever Paula or Kara say, I didn’t mind his little dance moves. I believe Simon picked on Danny’s grooving just because he had nothing else to critique!

Kris came up next with a surprise performance of One Republic’s "Apologize." The judges really did Kris right by picking this song, which was just right for Kris. It was nice to see him sitting at the piano, too. Kara picked on him a little too much, but hey, the judges are open to their own opinions — even if we don’t like them! BUT! I also think the judges need to be reminded on occasion that the show isn’t about their quarrels; it’s about the contestants!

Last up for the first go-around was Adam. Once again, the judges picked a great song with U2’s "One." I think he gave the song some really cool changes without straying too far from the beauty of the original version. I liked that he started off the song on the lighter side and gave it somewhere to grow. I also think it was a good idea for Adam to take the stage sans makeup for once. We all love Adam’s glam-rock look, but it was refreshing to see just him.

PICS FROM THIS WEEK:

Danny’s second song of the night was "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker. Even though I really, really liked his performance I wished he would’ve picked a more up-to-date song. Danny has such a great voice, but I think the judges are having a hard time seeing him as a contemporary artist. He truly gave a "vocal master class" performance with that song.

(On a side note, I actually flew in to Nashville from Milwaukee with Danny’s family and they are so proud of him!)

Back up for his second turn was Kris, who really put himself back into the game with his rendition of Kanye West’s "Heartless." I just love that he played the guitar and took The Fray’s approach to the song. The judges were digging everything about him. I would’ve originally thought it would be a Gokey/Lambert contest at the end, but they had better watch out because Kris is gonna give them a hard run for their money after that smash hit!

The last, but certainly not least, performance of the night was the big, the bad, Adam Lambert, who sang Aerosmith’s "Cryin" and took us just close enough to the edge that he pretty much sealed his fate into the finals. We all know that Adam has been a huge contender throughout the competition, but Simon is right that YOU HAVE TO VOTE!! Adam went back to his eye-liner and leather for his final top 3 performance and everyone ate him up.

I am super-excited about tomorrow night’s reveal of the final two. It’s hard to believe that yet another season of American Idol is almost at a close. I will be staying out here in L.A. to revel in all of the Idol festivities over this next week. So I promise to keep you all updated on all of the juicy Idol gossip and news!

Talk to ya tomorrow!

—Diana

Diana can currently be seen performing in Back to Bacharach & David, directed by Kathy Najimy, at the Music Box @ Fonda in L.A. through May 17. And you can always keep up with Diana on her MySpace page!