Why Adam Lambert Can't Win American Idol
Jaws dropped on the American Idol stage and across America when Danny Gokey was voted off on Wednesday. No one was more shocked than American Idol judge Paula Abdul, who has been matter-of-factly proclaiming Gokey as a shoo-in for the finale since the beginning of the season. Fellow Idol judge Kara DioGuardi looked like a child who'd just dropped her ice cream cone when Ryan Seacrest announced that Kris Allen and Adam Lambert were the finalists.
Abdul and Idol top judge Simon Cowell have both publicly predicted a Lambert-Gokey finale for weeks, with Lambert as the last man standing.
Despite the predictions of the Idol judges, there were many indicators that Allen would beat out Gokey for a spot in the finale. Dial Idol showed Lambert with the most votes on Tuesday and Allen with the second-most, though the prediction site officially proclaimed the race too close to call. The leak of iTunes data last month revealed that Lambert and Allen held the top two spots (respectively) in number of Idol music downloads.
I was thrilled to see Allen make it to the final two. Lambert is my top choice, but Allen has gradually become my second favorite over the past couple months. And I thought his performance this week was brilliant.
I'm sure I was not the only dual Lambert-Allen fan jumping up and down and screaming when Seacrest announced the top two.
Then an ugly realization soured my celebration: What will the Gokey fans be doing next week during the final voting session? I assume that some will be disheartened and not cast final votes. But if the American Idol community boards and popular media are any indication, many Gokey fans are quite vocal in their dislike for Lambert. Will they will feel it their duty to ensure Lambert does not win?
One Gokey fan on the Idol community board wrote on Wednesday night, "The majority here loved Kris and will be voting for him not out of spite but because they love him more than Adam."
Whether they are motivated by love or hate, Gokey fans are sure to be punching Allen's digits during next week's finale. And with only one million votes separating Allen and Lambert in this week's vote, those extra votes from the Gokey supporters will most likely be enough to propel Allen into first place.
But maybe that's not such a bad thing. A second place finish is not going to hurt Lambert's career. He's built an enormous fan base during the Idol season and a record deal is assuredly in his future. Lambert is a rock star with or without further promotion by American Idol. Allen's quieter popularity can only be helped by the Idol machine. If Allen wins, they both win, and it couldn't happen to two nicer or more talented guys.
Source: www.AmericanIdol.com, www.dialidol.com
Published by Jae Gravley
Jae is a writer, teacher and adventurer who has traveled the country from coast to coast. In the past 10 years, she and her cat, Merlin, have lived in 11 different cities and one state park. She currently re... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentAdam is a talent, I'll give him that. But, I don't expect to buy his album. He grates on my ears with the screaming. The judges did Danny in with Paula's song choice and they did the same thing with Kara's song, which was obviously not well suited for Chris. Danny G. could have sung Kara's song better than either of the other two. He is still my pick and he is the one whose albums I'll buy when they come out!!
Both Adam & Kris are genuinely nice guys. That said, I like Adam's singing better. Adam is in it to win. I think Kris is just happy to have made it as far as he has. Adam has been the big draw to AI this season, let's give him the title he so rightly deserves!!
As Davida said, "Both are winners in my eyes!"
...which is why we should be in store for a fantastic finale tonight!
If people want Adam to win, they'll have to pick up the pace and vote, or it will be an easy win for Kris. I'm not against Kris at all - not since he did his version of "She Works Hard for the Money", and believe you me, I'll be wanting to buy albums by both Adam and Kris. The thing is, it's apples and oranges - hard to compare two people with so much talent who are singing in such different styles. Both are winners in my eyes!
I must apolgize. I made the mistake. You were very clear. I'm a little tired this morning and am prone to make mistakes in this state. Thank you for you article.
I'm sorry, I made a few mistakes in my post. I should read, "I'm glad to find Kris Allen is you second favorite (he is mine, too.) Lambert's backslide is expected --when someone continually does well early on. People get used to a solid performances and when another performer does well viewers move on. Media saturation and a good backstory always push things along. To me, Lambert has always been the outsider. And safe, familiar sounds tend to prevail in America. Kris Allen is a talent though. He'll do well, I think. You know what they say, "You don't always know what you're missing til its gone". Enjoy the finale."
Adam is still my favorite! I adore Adam Lambert. I said Kris Allen has gradually become my second favorite. Sorry if that wasn't clear. I want Adam to win and I will vote, vote, vote. But I'm afraid it won't be enough to carry him to a win this week. I'll be thrilled if I'm wrong.
I'm sorry that Lambert has become your second favorite --that's what often happens when someone does continually well early on. People get used to a solid performances and when another performer does well viewers move on. Media saturation and a good backstory always push things along. To me, Lambert has always been the outsider. And safe, familiar sounds tend to prevail in America. Kris Allen is a talent though. He'll do well, I think.
You know what they say, though. You don't always know what you're missing til its gone. Enjoy the finale.