American Idol 2009 Shocking Result

America has spoken!

After months of competition — and a jam-packed finale — Kris Allen and Adam Lambert performed on the Idol stage at the Nokia Theatre Wednesday night in a musical spectacular before learning the results of a little less than 100 million votes.

Keep reading to find out the winner of American Idol.

David Cook, on the verge of relinquishing his title Wednesday night, told Ryan at the start of the two-hour finale: “I don’t know that America can get this wrong.”

Actually, America’s decision will be a point of considerable debate in the next day and maybe even days beyond that — with just under 100 million votes cast, dark horse Kris Allen beat out Adam Lambert, who for weeks has been considered the all-but-inevitable champ.

This is the biggest upset in eight seasons. The result was an even bigger surprise considering that — as even Kris’s supporters would concede — Adam gave the stronger performance on the Tuesday performance show. Simon anointed him a “worldwide star.”

Apparently stunned by the news of his victory, Kris couldn’t help but stammer, “Adam deserves this.”

Oh, please! Adam was the most acclaimed Idol contestant ever, but also one of the most divisive.

At any rate, it was an exciting jolt at the end of a long two hours. The show started with the 13 season finalists dressed in white, as if they had just died and were arriving in the afterlife.

Then came a series of duets between finalists and seasoned stars, generally to good results: Adam, in tooled black leather with wire wings as epaulets, had a great medley with Kiss, and Kris grooved comfortably and lightly with Keith Urban on “Kiss a Girl.” Megan Joy and Michael Sarver dueted on a sweet little song by Steve Martin called “Pretty Flowers” (with Martin on banjo).

The best moment of all may have been Allison Iraheta joined by Cyndi Lauper on “Time After Time” — it was unexpectedly touching, and made me wonder whether Allison wasn’t better than Adam or Kris (although I had been rooting for Kris through most of the season).

There were also the joshing Golden Idol awards, which were an opportunity to bring back Nick Mitchell, a.k.a Norman Gentle, and Katrina Darrell, a.k.a Bikini Girl, still in a bikini but filling out the top part with a great deal more confidence. She was joined by Kara on Mariah Carey’s “Vision of Love.” (Kara turned out to be a much better vocalist than judge.) And Tatiana del Toro, in a ridiculous joke, stormed the stage and had to be removed by security. Enough!

Just before the vote was announced, Ryan asked Simon his guess. He wisely answered: “You were both brilliant … the future’s all yours.” – Tom Gliatto

Tell us: What’s you reaction? Did America get it right? Were you surprised? Did you enjoy the show? What was the best moment? Discuss!

b People

American Idol: It’s Down to Three!

Just three contestants remain on American Idol after Wednesday’s elimination.

Keep reading to find out who survived Tuesday’s rock show, and which of of the top four — Danny, Allison, Adam or Kris — went out like Daughtry.

Idol is now officially heading to an all-male finale. Allison Iraheta, the 17-year-old phenomenon with a vocal strength that could topple frail trees, was voted off, leaving Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey and Kris Allen to be saluted with hometown parades.

What went wrong? Her performance of a Janis Joplin classic wasn’t her best, but her duet with Adam had enough rock sizzle that Simon thought she might be safe. Danny, meanwhile, pleased no one with his cover of Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” Even his aunt, he admitted, had muted the television when he bungled the high notes.

Allison was often faulted for not showing enough confidence or fire as a stage personality, but there were always confidence and fire in her singing, weren’t there? At any rate, the voting audience has always been ambivalent about her — perhaps because of her youth, her hair and her style, which has been compared to Kelly Clarkson’s but is in fact much more raw.

No one left has her fresh, if rough, vitality. Shed a tear for Allison!

Left to right: Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert

And, man, did the hour drag. A full 35 minutes were gone before Ryan Seacrest started the elimination procedure. (The order of names was random, he said — there was no bottom two announced.) The first to safety was a surprise: Kris cupped his hands over his face in shock and relief. His singing hasn’t consistently wowed the judges — this week, in particular — but the fact remains that of all the contestants he photographs best in a close-up. These things matter. Then Adam joined him, and then Danny.

It seems inconceivable that Adam won’t be in the final two. So who goes next — Kris or Danny?

The night’s guest performers included No Doubt, former Idol contestant Chris Daughtry and none other than Paula Abdul. She and a chorus of male dancers ran through fog and red-fabric flames for her new single “I’m Just Here for the Music.” At the end, one of the dancers, pretending to be paparazzi, shouted, “Will you be back for next season?” She did not answer.

by Tom Gliatto, People