Kris Allen Duet With Keith Urban a Big Win
Not that he needed it, but American Idol contestant Kris Allen sure found a good luck charm in Keith Urban on last night's (May 20) finale.
I know, I know. The nearly 100 million votes were already counted by the time Urban and Allen took the stage to sing "Kiss a Girl." But watching those two perform so effortlessly felt so, so natural. Like I could see Allen on a real stage with Urban some day. And to me, that just signaled Allen's eventual win. Call it my sixth sense, but I just knew.
Going into the show, I'd been sure Adam Lambert would win. And he certainly made it a tough call. His songs were strong, as were the other all-star performances throughout the more-than-two-hour extravaganza. And wasn't there so much to love? David Cook, Queen Latifah, Jason Mraz and Fergie in the first half. And Cyndi Lauper, Lionel Richie and Santana in the second half. Oh, yeah. And Kiss! And Rod Stewart! And Queen! It was as if there was no name too big for the Idol talent bookers to go after. I half expected them to bring the Beatles back.
Steve Martin sounded fantastic on the banjo, too, on his self-penned "Pretty Flowers." He didn't look all that comfortable, but he sounded perfect. And it was just a nice change of pace to see a bluegrass band on that Idol stage.
Other than the Allen-Urban duet, my top three moments of the night were:
1. When asked who he thought would win the competition, Steve Martin replying, "I know it's a long shot, but I'm hoping I do."
2. Kara DioGuardi nailing the song Bikini Girl was struggling with.
3. Closing my eyes so I didn't have to see Adam Lambert's outfit, but hearing his blessedly pure voice on Kiss' "Beth."
Photo credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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RedMaZ says:
Never watched a complete American Iduhl episode. I guess these are a few reasons why. However I’ve liked Martin’s banjo playing for years. Grew up listening to Faces and Stewart. Caught a great concert on PBS featuring Santana, Steve Winwood, Herbie Hancock and a host of other great musicians, and sometimes I feel like Lionel Ritchie…without the train.
BuffyBot says:
I am so glad that Kris and his talent took 1st place..He will benefit from the top seat while Adam will be just fine without the win. Kris can now get that extra exposure he needs to prove to everyone he’s amazing.
NeilR says:
The right guy won! I like Adam a lot but as the show went on week after week the high pitch of most of his songs started to wear thin. He has a bright future,no doubt but has to find the right songs and I think its going to be tougher to find material that suits him. Kris should be able to find song much easier with his more mainstream voice. Americans love under dogs and Kris was defiantly the under dog! I can see Adam on Broadway right away and I think a year with Idol will help Kris more than it would Adam. Both of these guys deserved to be the finalist I’m just sad there can’t be ties!
blahblah says:
I like Kris alright, but it really gets on my nerves how his mouth moves way over to the side when he is singing
lioness says:
Keith and Kris looked so comfortable and like they were having so much fun!! As one reporter said, they were having so much fun it looked like they were doing a concert!Glad Kris won, but I did like Adam too! I don’t think either are losers and will hopefully do great! I loved the Golden awards where “Norman” and that goofy Tatiana and Bikini Girl did their thing…it was funny! Who knew, Kara, you had a bikini bod too!! lol!
Lexi says:
I loved Kris and Keiths performance! Kris sounded so much like Keith i didnt know who was singing in the beginning! I am so happy Kris won! i was a big fan of his since day 1 and i hope he if very successful.
kaye says:
FUN was the operative word…yes, I really enjoyed Kris Allen and Keith Urban last night very much.
I never knew Steve Martin was so accomplished on the banjo and in the bluegrass genre…had some friends educate me about that. I wanna know who Steve’s biz management people are who have enough clout to get him both an American Idol gig like last night and my CMT friends told me today he also is getting an Opry gig! That’s CLOUT, big time!
That entire finale had the WOW factor, variety and a really FUN vibe from start to finish, not to mention ASTONISHING. I think both Kris and Adam are getting a WIN/WIN situation even if Kris took the AI crown!
Holly says:
That Kris/Keith duet was AMAZING! I loved every single second of it! I was surprised when I found out he would be performing with Keith because he didn’t really do Country on the show. But it worked so perfectly for him and was so wonderful! As a huge fan of both, it was incredible!
Jamieson says:
Does anyone know if there will be an iTunes of the Kris/Keith duet? That would be awesome!
AC says:
The Kris/Keith Urban was fantastic! I keep watching it over on tivo and it even made me buy his song on Itunes! I thought the duet would be weird but this song has great pop crossover potential and I can see Kris having appeal in the country markets so it works!
Alison W says:
Kara needs to get over herself. I think she just wanted to be the next american idol.
CJ5 says:
Kara needs to go. She is so anoying. Loved Kris and Keith. Awsome together. American Idol out did themselves this season.
gwl says:
I agree Kara needs to go!!!
Kris and Keith were great!!!!!!
Kris may have to make a country single!
Adam will have a big career, he is very talented.
Karen Kurek says:
Kris would be great singing a country song because “Kiss A Girl” sounded fantastic with Kris and Keith!! And they are both great to look at besides!! Great American Idol show just wish that Carrie would have performed again!!
Cathy says:
The finale this year was the best one yet. And that duet with Kris and Keith was awesome- the BEST performance of the night by far! I’d love to see them perform more together. Adam was good I guess (if you like that type of music- his high voice and all that screaming- which I don’t) but America has spoken and showed their favorite by how they voted! I’d be much more inclined to buy Kris’ CD. Adam’s voice and his music does not appeal to me one bit. Blechhh!
northeastchick says:
I LOVED that performance! I was so thrilled to see them together! Good job, guys! :)
Julie says:
Alison, I agree with everything you said. It’s like I wrote it…After reading some of your blogs, I think we like the same artists. Have a great weekend.
GirlieGirl says:
In my opinion, I was really relieved to hear that Kris Allen won… I mean, who would even TALK to a gay guy? Again, in my opinion, I wouldn’t vote for a gay guy (AKA, Adam Lambert…) even if he was my bro. Period.
Faye Hilbert says:
First of all GirlieGirl not you or anyone else knows if Adam is gay or not so let’s not criticize or judge someone without knowing them. Secondly, the show is about judging on TALENT and not personal issues of the contestants with that said my opinion is that Adam SHOULD HAVE WON since he definitely has the best voice out of all the contestants. That’s what AI is supposed to be about, the best singer! As for Kris, I like him too and I think he deserved to win as well. He is very talented but I am not sure what music genre he is in yet. Have to wait and see. But I think they will both go very far in their careers thanks to AI. As for the duet, what can I say WOW!! Keith looked and sounded great and all I can say is it’s about time American Idol had the most talented country artist on their stage! Great finale!
Olivia says:
I♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥Kris soo much he is defenatly better than adam!
His voice was so gental when he sang with keith and keith was also amazing. Kris and Keith were great but i think that adam was awful
no offence to whoever liked him but that was my opinion.
Ken C. says:
Head’s up! The video of the Kris/Keith duet is now available on iTunes. An easy way to find it is to type Kris Allen Keith Urban in the search box.
Cameron says:
I love Kris so much!!!!! I loved his performance with Keith Urban! I was like OMG they sing so well together! Kris just has everything, the looks, the voice, and the personality! Adam was ok but I can’t take that screaming he does in every song. Plus I think the judges hurt him with all the positive reviews. People start thinking “he knows he’s going to win”! People voted for Kris because of his voice and he was the underdog!
kris lover says:
omg i loved the kris and keith! i just bought the music video on itunes
Diana says:
I was skeptical when I heard Kris and Keith were gonna duet. Boy was I wrong!!! It was my fav performance by far. Ive even downloaded it off itunes and have watched it over and over. Im a huge Urban fan and also loved kris. However, I do like Adam also. If I went to a concert, it would be Adams, but for a cd for listening pleasure it would be Kris. I just loved his Aint No Sunshine on top 2 night. It broke the tie for me. I wish them both well in their careers. WTG Keith for dueting with Kris, love ya!
Joseph Agyepong says:
Wow!It will be a great to be at a Keith Urban concert.That will be so great.I’ve come to like his music so much.He is absolutely great.His style of country music is so earthy and touchy.I’m always in a lovely state of mind when I listen to him - his music.
Smiles,Joe.
Connie says:
I never watch American Idol have always hated the show, Frankly out of the winners they have had in the pass Other then Kelly and Carry do the others still perform? sing? record? I did turn on and watch Keith Urban and who ever sing,, wasn’t bad.
Carol says:
Give me a break! Keith Urban carried the duet. Adam should have won the competition if the country wasn’t full of homophobes. I am interested in follow up with the AT&T controversy. I couldn’t understand how Kris Allen stayed in or at least wasn’t in the bottom three at some point because he certainly was weak in the beginning of the competition. The voting smells to me.
Leann Johnston says:
I am a single parent / / disabled and would love to see keith urbin in concert. he is the best. am so glad hegot him self a good woman like Nicole. Keith you deserve a good woman . love Leann
TENNESSEE in the hills and love it love life.
Im a single parent and would love to see Keith urban, in concert or back stage. Keith you seem like a very good man , and got u a good woman nicole seems sweet to. you deserve it . I live in Tennessee all my life disabled but love life and love it back in the hills of Tennessee. one day i will see Keith Urban in consert oooooh i pray .
I love your songs Keith. Leann in Tennessee
Theresa says:
I would like to experience a Keith Urban concert. He seems as if he puts on a killer of a concert. Full of energy and excitement.
Peace out!!!
Theresa form O’Fallon
BRANDY WALKER says:
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HIM IN CONCERT, MY DAUGHTER PASSED AWAY AGO ON JUNE 14TH OF LAST YEAR AND HE WAS HER FAVORITE. IT WOULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE TO GET TO SEE HIM IN HER HONOR.